Scientists from New Zealand have announced the discovery of a new species of "ghost shark," also known as a spookfish, which prowls the depths of the Pacific Ocean floor.
The newly identified species, Harriotta avia, was found more than a mile beneath the surface during research in the Chatham Rise, a vast area of the Pacific stretching around 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) east of New Zealand's South Island.
The ghost sharks, relatives of sharks and rays, belong to a group of fish with skeletons entirely made of cartilage. Known for their haunting appearance, spookfish are characterized by their smooth, scale-free light brown skin and distinctive black eyes. Their beak-like mouths enable them to feed on crustaceans at depths of up to 2,600 meters (8,530 feet).
Research scientist Brit Finucci from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) led the discovery and named the species in honor of her grandmother. The spookfish, previously thought to be a globally distributed species, was found to be genetically and morphologically distinct from its relatives.
"Ghost sharks like this one are largely confined to the ocean floor, making them difficult to study," said Finucci. "This discovery provides a rare opportunity to learn more about these elusive creatures."
The discovery of the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish highlights the mysteries of the deep sea and the need for further exploration of these largely uncharted regions.
