New Ghost Shark Species Discovered in Deep Ocean Waters #

A new species of ghost shark has been discovered in the deep ocean waters near Australia and New Zealand. The Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, or Harriotta avia, was found in the Chatham Rise, an area of ocean floor off the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Previously thought to be part of a single globally distributed species, researchers discovered genetic and morphological differences in this new species.

Ghost sharks, scientifically known as chimaeras, are closely related to sharks and rays. They are cartilaginous fish, with skeletons primarily made of cartilage. Their embryos develop in egg capsules laid on the sea floor, feeding off egg yolk until they hatch. Once hatched, they feed on crustaceans such as shrimp and molluscs.

The Harriotta avia is characterized by its elongated, narrow, and depressed snout; long, slender trunk; large eyes; and very long, broad pectoral fins. It has a distinctive chocolate brown color.

These ghost sharks typically inhabit ocean floors at depths of up to 2,600 meters (8,530 feet). Their deep-water habitat makes them challenging to study and monitor, resulting in limited knowledge about their biology and threat status.

The discovery of this new species is particularly exciting due to the scarcity of information about ghost sharks. Most existing knowledge comes from adult specimens, making the discovery of juveniles especially rare and valuable for research.

In a separate incident last year, researchers discovered a newly-hatched ghost shark at a depth of around 1,200 meters (about 3,900 feet) in the same region. This finding could potentially provide more insights into the early life stages of these elusive creatures.

The discovery of the Harriotta avia and ongoing research into ghost sharks continue to expand our understanding of these mysterious deep-sea inhabitants.