Ghost Shark :
The ocean is an endless hoard of mysteries. Researchers now with advanced technology can reach depths that were unreachable before and are mesmerized to see the host of creatures that lurk in the dark depths of the ocean.
Researchers recently discovered a baby of the most elusive Ghost Shark also known as Chimaeras. Scientists know very little about this deep ocean dweller.
This juvenile of the Ghost Shark was found at a depth of about 1,200 meters (1.2 km) underwater near the South Island off the coast of New Zealand.
The finding of the sample at this depth was unusual to the scientists as Ghost Sharks are found more than 1,800 meters (1.8 km) underwater.
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Ghost Sharks aren’t truly sharks but are similar to sharks as both their skeletal system is made of cartilage rather than bone.
This is the first time the scientists were able to catch a hatchling Ghost Shark. The photos revealed the hatchling having black fins, translucent skin with a wispy whitetail, and black eyes.
Image credit: Dr. Brit Finucci
“You can tell this ghost shark recently hatched because it has a full belly of egg yolk. It’s quite astonishing,” said Dr. Brit Finucci, a scientist at New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmosphere Research.
Researchers stated that young ones and adults have distinct food and habitat needs. They also look a lot different from each other.
The eggs are laid on the ocean floor and the embryos of Ghost Shark develop within the egg capsules feeding on the nutrient-rich yolk just like any other oviparous hatchlings.
“Finding this Ghost Shark will help us better understand the biology and sociology of this mysterious group of deep-water fish,” the researchers stated.
The researchers are planning to conduct genetic and morphological experiments to find out more about these deep-sea creatures.
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