Scientists in New Zealand have discovered a new species of shark. This new species was found alive in the waters around Australia and New Zealand, specifically in the Pacific Ocean. It is currently classified in the Ghost Shark (Chimaera) species. Ghost Sharks usually dive about 1.5 kilometers deep into the ocean.
Researchers from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in Wellington revealed that Ghost Sharks hunt in extremely dark depths. The discovery was made while scientists were conducting research about 1000 kilometers away from South Island in the Chatham Rise area, located in the Pacific Ocean.
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This new species has been named Australasia Narrow-Nosed Spookfish. It is being called a Ghost Shark because it is a hybrid species between sharks and rays. They are also known as Chimaeras. The bones of these fish are entirely made of cartilage.
Their eyes are dark and round, giving them a spooky appearance. They have smooth brown scales on their skin. These Ghost Sharks feed on crustaceans deep down in the ocean around 2.6 kilometers, equivalent to 8530 feet. Their mouth resembles a beak.
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Scientist Britt Finucci mentioned that Ghost Sharks usually stay at or near the ocean floor and rarely come towards the surface. She named this species Hariotta Avia, in memory of her grandmother. It was Britt who discovered this new shark species.
