A new kind of mind shark or “ghost fish” was discovered in the deep, dark waters off the coast of New Zealand. The Australasian narrow-nosed spookfish (Harriotta plane) is exclusive to the waters of New Zealand and Australia and is part of a group of cartilaginous fish fish which are closely related to rays and sharks, called chimeras.
They are known for their smooth, scale-free skin and feed primarily on crustaceans such as shrimp and mollusks using their distinctive beak-like teeth.
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“Harriotta plane is unique because of its elongated, narrow and indented snout; long, slender body; large eyes; and very long, broad pectoral fins. It has a beautiful chocolate brown colour,” NIWA Fisheries Scientist Brit Finucci said in a statement.
Finucci discovered the new species during a research survey for Fisheries New Zealand, where they were caught in the Chatham Rise on the country’s east coast, just off the South Island.
“Ghost sharks like this are largely confined to the ocean floor, living at depths of up to 2,600 meters (8,530 feet),” Finucci said. “Their habitat makes them difficult to study and monitor, meaning we don’t know much about their biology or threat status, but it makes discoveries like this even more exciting.”
This group of mysterious bottom-dwelling fish also includes ratfish, rabbitfish and elephantfish. Scientists previously thought this new species was part of a globally distributed species, but new research has shown that it is actually a genetically and morphologically different of his cousins.
Finucci also gave it the scientific name Harriotta plane in honor of her grandmother, but also in honor of their place in the shark family tree.
“Avia means grandmother in Latin; I wanted to give her that nod because she proudly supported me throughout my career as a scientist,” Finucci said. “Chimaeras are also quite ancient relatives – the grandmothers and grandfathers – of fish, and I thought the name was fitting.”
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According to the IUCNNo chimera species are listed as endangered. Four are considered vulnerable, four others are near threatened, and several others are listed as data deficient.
However, more than a third of all sharks, rays and chimeras are still at risk of extinction due to overfishing.
This new ghost shark isn’t the only new species that looks poised for spooky seasonA team in the Philippines recently completed a large new species of frog with fangs, Limnonectes cassiopeiaSome of these amphibians can grow as big as chickens and it is believed that their canines are used in fighting between males.
