‘Extremely rare’ baby ghost shark spotted by researchers

A team of scientists in New Zealand has uncovered a newly-hatched ghost shark, a discovery they believe will enhance their understanding of this enigmatic creature.

The ghost shark was discovered approximately 1,200 meters (3,900 feet) beneath the surface on the Chatham Rise, an underwater ridge off the eastern coast of the South Island.

This “exceptionally rare” find was made during a recent exploration, as reported by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in a press statement released on Tuesday.

Known scientifically as chimaera, the ghost shark is a deep-sea species also referred to as ratfish, spookfish, or rabbit fish. It shares close ties with sharks and rays, according to the Shark Trust.

These are cartilaginous fish, meaning their skeletons are mainly composed of cartilage. Their embryos develop within egg capsules resting on the ocean floor, nourishing themselves with egg yolk until they hatch.

Brit Finucci, a fisheries scientist involved in the discovery, explained in a press release that the baby ghost shark could be recognized as freshly hatched due to the visible yolk still present in its belly.

“We don't know much about ghost sharks,” Finucci shared with Dinogo on Thursday. “What we do know is mostly from adult specimens. It’s incredibly rare to encounter juveniles of these species, so finding one was very exciting.”

Finucci mentioned that ghost sharks are typically found in deep waters, making them “quite challenging to reach.” She expressed hope that this new discovery could help bridge some existing “gaps in our biological knowledge.”

The exact species of the ghost shark found by the team remains unidentified, and Finucci noted that new species are still being discovered. She added that measurements and genetic samples would now be collected for further identification.

“We need to determine which species we’re dealing with,” Finucci stated, noting that ghost sharks represent the “oldest lineage” of cartilaginous fish. “We’re uncertain about what we’ll uncover, which makes it all the more thrilling.”

The age of the specimen allows researchers to compare it with their existing knowledge of adult ghost sharks, accounting for differences in habitat, diet, and appearance that can emerge between juveniles and adults, as explained by Finucci.

“We hope this will provide more insight into their biology and ecology,” Finucci added. “What we do know from better-studied species is that juveniles often differ significantly from adults.”