Harriotta avia a New Species of Ghost Shark is Described

Scientists have found new species of ghost shark that lives completely within the deep waters of Australia and New Zealand. It’s a sort of Australasian Slender-nosed Spookfish and has been named Harriotta avia.  The brand new fish species has been scientifically described by Dr Brit Finucci of New Zealand’s Nationwide Institute of Water and Atmospheric Analysis (NIWA).

It was beforehand regarded as a part of a single globally distributed species, till analysis revealed it’s genetically and morphologically totally different from different ghost fish.

Harriotta avia – A New Species of Ghost Shark

Dr Finucci named the brand new species in reminiscence of her grandmother.

Dr Finucci defined:

“Avia means grandmother in Latin; I needed to provide this nod to her as a result of she proudly supported me by means of my profession as a scientist. Chimaeras are additionally quite historic family – the grandmas and grandpas – of fish and I believed the identify was properly suited.”

Image credit score: NIWA

An Historic Order of Cartilaginous Fish

Chimaeriformes actually are an historic order of cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes).  They in all probability advanced within the Devonian. Most extant species are discovered at depths better than 2 hundred metres, they usually dwell on the seafloor.  Harriotta avia feeds on crustaceans, nevertheless within the Palaeozoic most of these fish advanced to fill a wide range of niches.  For instance, in 2023, analysis was printed that recognized suction feeding in Carboniferous Chimaeriformes.

To examine this analysis: Carboniferous Chimaeras have been Suction Feeders.

Most fossil and extant chimaeras are small, only a few specimens exceed one metre in size. Nevertheless, different prehistoric, cartilaginous fish that have been distantly associated to the newly described H. avia grew a lot bigger. For instance, the Permian genus Helicoprion with its weird tooth-whorl jaw, has been estimated to have grown to round eight metres in size.

The image above reveals a mannequin of the prehistoric fish Helicoprion.  This Permian predator is distantly associated to extant ghost sharks.  The Helicoprion mannequin is from the mid-size mannequin vary produced by PNSO.

To view the PNSO fashions and figures in inventory: PNSO Fashions and Figures.

Chimaeriformes

Ghost sharks (Chimaeriformes) are a gaggle of cartilaginous fish intently associated to rays and sharks. These mysterious creatures are often known as rabbitfish, ratfish and elephant fish.

They’ve a clean pores and skin, freed from scales.  Most feed on crustaceans equivalent to shrimp and molluscs with their distinctive beak-like enamel.

Dr Finucci added:

“Harriotta avia is exclusive attributable to its elongated, slender and depressed snout; lengthy, slender trunk; giant eyes; and really lengthy, broad pectoral fins. It’s a beautiful chocolate brown color.”

Ghost sharks are primarily discovered within the depths of the ocean.  Some are thought to dwell at depths of as much as 2,600 metres.  This makes them onerous to observe and examine.  Marine biologists know little or no about their habits, copy or their conservation standing.

A spokesperson from Every thing Dinosaur commented:

“That is an thrilling improvement.  It’s possible that the deep ocean holds many extra secrets and techniques.”

The specimens have been collected within the Chatham Rise off New Zealand’s coast throughout analysis surveys for Fisheries New Zealand.

Every thing Dinosaur acknowledges the help of a media launch from the Nationwide Institute of Water and Atmospheric Analysis within the compilation of this text.