Spookfish: Scientists in New Zealand discover new ghost shark species in the Pacific
Scientists said Tuesday they had discovered a new species of ghost shark, the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, that lives deep in the Pacific Oceanoff Australia and New Zealand.
It may be early to get the Halloween decorations out for most, but in the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, spooky season is well underway.
Scientists said Tuesday they had discovered a new species of ghost shark that lives exclusively in the waters off Australia and New Zealand.
The Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish was found during research surveys in the Chatham Rise, an area of ocean floor east of New Zealand, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, based in Auckland.
Ghost sharks, also known as chimaeras, are a group of cartilaginous fish closely related to sharks and rays. The newly discovered species has several distinctive features, including a long and narrow snout, broad pectoral fins, scale-free skin and beak-like teeth.
They are largely confined to the ocean floor up to 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) deep, feeding on crustaceans such as shrimp and mollusks.
Rating: 5