Scientists at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have announced the discovery of a new species of “ghost shark” lurking in the deep waters off the coast of Australia and New Zealand, Al Jazeera reports.
This newly identified creature, named the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, is a fascinating addition to the mysterious world of chimaeras.
These elusive fish, also known as “ghost sharks” or “chimaeras,” are closely related to sharks and rays but possess skeletons entirely composed of cartilage. Their distinctive features include haunting black eyes, smooth, light brown, scale-free skin, and a beak-like mouth used to capture prey.
The Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish was discovered during research conducted in the Chatham Rise, a vast underwater plateau located east of New Zealand’s South Island. The researchers found that these ghost sharks inhabit the ocean floor at depths exceeding 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles), where they hunt crustaceans.
Research scientist Brit Finucci, who led the discovery, named the new species “Harriotta avia” in honor of her grandmother.
“Ghost sharks like this one are largely confined to the ocean floor,” explained Finucci. “This discovery highlights the incredible biodiversity still waiting to be discovered in the depths of our oceans.”
