Scientists from New Zealand have discovered a new species of ghost shark in the deep Pacific Ocean.
Named Harriotta avia, this species was located over a mile deep in the Chatham Rise, an area extending about 621 miles east of New Zealand’s South Island.
Ghost sharks, related to sharks and rays, have cartilage-based skeletons. Known for their eerie appearance, these creatures have smooth, scale-free skin and distinctive black eyes. They use their beak-like mouths to eat crustaceans at depths up to 8,530 feet.
Brit Finucci, a research scientist at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), led the discovery team. She named the species after her grandmother. This spookfish, previously considered part of a globally distributed species, is unique genetically and morphologically.
Finucci stated, “Ghost sharks mainly reside on the ocean floor, which complicates study efforts. This discovery opens new avenues for learning about these elusive creatures.”
The discovery highlights the mysteries of the deep sea and emphasizes the need for further exploration.
