New Zealand scientists have discovered a new species of “ghost shark” – a rare species of fish that is incredibly difficult to spot because it lives at great depths in the Pacific Ocean.
Also known as ghostfish or chimera, ghost sharks are closely related to sharks and rays. They have no scales and their bones are made entirely of cartilage.
Dr Brit Finucci, one of the scientists who discovered the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, said this discovery is exciting.
“The environment they live in makes them difficult to study and monitor, which means we don’t know much about their biology or their threat status,” she said.
Dr. Finucci and other researchers from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research of New Zealand (Niwa) found this creature in an underwater area known as the Chatham Rise, which is in the east of New Zealand.
Ghost sharks typically live at depths of up to 2,600m (1.6 miles).
Dr. Finucci said that this species is notable for its unusually long nose, which can make up half of its body length.
He gave the new fish a scientific name with a personal twist: Harriota avia.
“Avia means grandmother in Latin, I wanted to acknowledge this because she proudly supported me in my work as a scientist,” explained Dr. Finucci.
“Chimaeras are also ancient relatives – grandparents – of fish and I thought the name was well suited.”
The ghostfish was originally thought to be a part of the world’s most exotic species. However, research later revealed that it was genetically different from its cousins and only lived in the waters off Australia and New Zealand.
Scientists say discoveries like this are important, because learning more about how species live helps experts find better ways to protect themselves.
Source link
