Scientists Discover New 'Ghost Fish' Species in the Pacific

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Facts

  • Researchers from New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have discovered a new species of 'ghost shark' prowling in the deep waters of Australia and New Zealand.[1]
  • The Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, or Harriotta avia, was found during research in the Chatham Rise off the eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island.[2]
  • Previously, the Spookfish was believed to be part of a species found around the world. However, NIWA scientist Dr. Brit Finucci said it's 'genetically and morphologically different to its cousins' and lived exclusively in the Pacific Ocean.[3][4]
  • The newly discovered ghost shark species has an elongated and narrow snout, slender trunk, broad pectoral fins, large eyes, scale-free skin, and beak-like teeth.[4][1]
  • Scientists say they feed off crustaceans such as shrimp and mollusks and are 'largely confined to the ocean floor' at depths of up to 2.6K meters (8,530 feet).[5]
  • In March, researchers from the Pacific Shark Research Center at California's San Jose State University discovered an elusive 20 inches-long species of ghost shark, named supapae, in the depths of the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand.[6]

Sources: [1]CNN, [2]Al Jazeera, [3]NIWA, [4]NBC, [5]RNZ and [6]Livescience.Com.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by NZ Herald. This research shows how little we know about the marine environment, especially rare species, and how much remains to be explored despite technological advancements. Since these ghost shark species are largely confined to the ocean floor, this discovery can shed light on their biology, reveal their cryptic nature, and bring us closer to exploring the deep sea — an uncharted territory teeming with undiscovered species and ecological marvels.
  • Narrative B, as provided by NBC. The Harriotta avia was caught incidentally in commercial fisheries, meaning the rarely spotted creature is capable of emerging from the dark depths of the ocean. Moreover, scientists have yet to determine its lifespan, population size, and role in the ecosystem. Additionally, the species' elusive nature makes it a subject of fascination, making it susceptible to extinction. Deep-sea exploration shouldn't just uncover the hidden wonders but also help experts figure out the best ways to protect them.

Predictions