Description of a New Ghost Shark Species
On July 6 at 1:00 PM, a research team from the University of Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the Federal University of Pará in Brazil formally described a new ghost shark species belonging to the genus Rinochimaera, found off the coast of Costa Rica. The species was identified based on three male specimens ranging from 775 to 830 mm in length, collected in 2000 and 2023. The first specimen was gathered near Caño Island, while the other two were collected near Cabo Blanco.
Research and Significance of the Discovery
The specimens of the new species have been added to the scientific collection of the Zoology Museum at the University of Costa Rica. Scientists compared these samples with ghost sharks collected near Peru and Chile. Arturo Angulo Sibaja, a biology professor at the University of Costa Rica, noted:
“The new species has a shorter snout, a darker color pattern, and a much longer spine on its dorsal fin.” – Arturo Angulo Sibaja
He also emphasized that this discovery represents the only known species of its kind along the Central American coastline.
Genetic analysis revealed that the new ghost shark species has no reproductive contact with other members of its genus. According to Sibaja, the species likely has a broader distribution along the Pacific coast of Central and South America. Ghost sharks genetically diverged from true sharks nearly 400 million years ago and belong to a group of cartilaginous fish that includes three species found in waters off South Africa, Taiwan, Australia, Japan, and in the Atlantic between Greenland and Brazil.
The discovery of this new ghost shark species highlights the biodiversity of marine ecosystems near Costa Rica and underscores the importance of scientific research for studying and conserving marine species. It may also have implications for fisheries and aquaculture in the region, as new species can affect ecological balance and economic practices. Researchers hope that further studies will help better understand the distribution of this species and its role in the marine ecosystems of Central America.