New Zealand scientists have found a brand new species of “ghost shark” – a uncommon kind of fish that’s extremely onerous to identify as a result of it lives at nice depths within the Pacific Ocean.
Also called a spookfish or chimera, ghost sharks are carefully associated to sharks and rays. They don’t have scales and their skeletons are made fully of cartilage.
Dr Brit Finucci, one of many scientists who found the Australasian Slim-nosed Spookfish, stated the discover was “thrilling”.
“Their habitat makes them onerous to review and monitor, that means we do not know lots about their biology or menace standing,” she stated.
Dr Finucci and different researchers from New Zealand’s Nationwide Institute of Water and Atmospheric Analysis (Niwa) discovered the creature in an space of ocean ground often called Chatham Rise, which lies to the east of New Zealand.
Ghost sharks usually reside at depths of as much as 2,600m (1.6 miles).
Dr Finucci stated the species stood out for its unusually lengthy snout, which may make up half its physique size.
She has given the brand new fish a scientific title with a private twist: Harriota avia.
“Avia means grandmother in Latin, I wished to provide this nod to her as a result of she proudly supported me via my profession as a scientist,” Dr Finucci defined.
“Chimaeras are additionally reasonably historical kinfolk – the grandmas and grandpas – of fish and I assumed the title was effectively suited.”
The spookfish was initially considered a part of a species discovered world wide. Nonetheless, analysis later revealed it was genetically totally different to its cousins and lived completely in Australian and New Zealand waters.
Scientists say discoveries like this are essential, as a result of studying extra about how this species reside helps them determine the perfect methods to guard them.
