New Zealand scientists have found a brand new species of “ghost shark” – a uncommon kind of fish that’s extremely arduous to identify as a result of it lives at nice depths within the Pacific Ocean.
Also referred to as a spookfish or chimera, ghost sharks are intently 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, mentioned the discover was “thrilling”.
“Their habitat makes them arduous to review and monitor, that means we do not know loads about their biology or risk standing,” she mentioned.
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 known as 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 mentioned the species stood out for its unusually lengthy snout, which might make up half its physique size.
She has given the brand new fish a scientific identify with a private twist: Harriota avia.
“Avia means grandmother in Latin, I needed to present 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 historic kin – the grandmas and grandpas – of fish and I believed the identify was properly suited.”
The spookfish was initially considered a part of a species discovered around the globe. Nevertheless, analysis later revealed it was genetically completely different to its cousins and lived solely 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 most effective methods to guard them.