New Zealand scientists discover a new species of ‘ghost shark’ | Environmental Affairs

This beaked fish, now called Harriotta avia, only lives in the deep waters of Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand scientists have discovered a new species of “ghost shark”.

The Wellington-based National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said on Tuesday that the Australasian Narrow-nosed spookfish lives in deep waters around Australia and New Zealand.

The fish, which roams the ocean hunting prey more than 2.6km (1.6 miles) down, is named after the grandmother of one of the research team.

Also known as “ghost sharks” or “chimaeras”, ghostfish are related to sharks and rays but belong to a group of fish whose skeletons are made of cartilage. Other mysterious animal names include ratfish, rabbitfish and elephant fish.

Ghost sharks have eerie black eyes and smooth, light brown, scaleless skin.

They feed on crustaceans at depths of up to 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) using their distinctive beaked mouth.

“Ghost sharks like these often live on the bottom of the ocean,” said research scientist Brit Finucci.

The specimens were found during research in the Chatham Rise, a Pacific ridge that stretches about 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) east of New Zealand’s South Island.

‘Fish grandparents’

Finucci gave the new species its scientific name “Harriotta avia” in memory of his grandmother.

“Avia means grandmother in Latin. I wanted to acknowledge this because he proudly supported me in my work as a scientist. “Chimaeras are also ancient relatives – grandparents – of fish and I thought the name was appropriate,” he said.

“The environment they live in makes them difficult to study and monitor, which means we don’t know much about their biology or their threat status, but it makes discoveries like this all the more exciting.”

The ghostfish was previously thought to be part of a single species with a worldwide distribution until scientists discovered that it is genetically and morphologically distinct from its cousins.

“The Harriotta avia is distinguished by its long, narrow and depressed nose; long, thin trunk; big eyes; and very long pectoral fins. It’s a beautiful chocolate brown color,” said Finucci.