Scientists have discovered a new species of ghost shark in the waters off Australia and New Zealand called the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish. This species was found in the Chatham Rise, east of New Zealand, and has unique characteristics such as a long narrow snout, broad pectoral fins, scale-free skin, and beak-like teeth. Ghost sharks, also known as chimaeras, are cartilaginous fish that live in deep waters up to 2,600 meters deep and feed on crustaceans like shrimp and molluscs.
The newly discovered ghost shark was named Harriotta avia in memory of the scientist’s grandmother. Despite being previously believed to be a single species, further research revealed genetic and morphological differences among ghost sharks. The discovery highlights how little is known about deep-sea creatures like ghost sharks.
Ghost sharks are poorly studied due to their remote habitat and cryptic nature, but the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish has been better researched as it is often observed on research surveys and caught incidentally in commercial fisheries. Despite this, there is still much to learn about ghost sharks, including their lifespan, population size, and ecological role.
The discovery of this new ghost shark species shows that there are still many unknown species lurking in the depths of the ocean, waiting to be discovered. Scientists continue to research and identify new species, emphasizing the importance of studying and conserving these unique creatures.
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