Discovered the world's strangest shark

December 16, 2022 08:26

The bizarre-looking deepwater shark is the third species of the Galeus catshark genus ever recorded from the Philippines.

According to Sci-News, the new species, named Galeus Friedrichi, is related to two species previously found in the Philippines, Galeus sauteri and Galeus schultzi.

The genus Galeus to which they belong is a member of the family Pentanchidae, of the order White-eye sharks, the most diverse lineage of the Superorder Sharks. The genus Galeus itself is also one of the most species-rich shark genera, with nearly 20 scientifically recognized species.

Philippines: Phát hiện cá mập quái dị chưa từng thấy trên thế giới - Ảnh 1.

Bizarre portrait of shark species recently discovered in the Philippines

Members of the genus are found in the Atlantic, western and central Pacific regions, as well as the Gulf of California.

They are also known as sawtail cat sharks, in reference to the distinctive serrated structure found along the upper edge of the caudal fin.

Sharks of this genus are generally harmless, quite small and slender with muscular bodies, thick, rough skin, many species have patterns, this one in particular, has skin that looks like the fur of spotted or calico cats - but the spots are only one color.

Philippines: Phát hiện cá mập quái dị chưa từng thấy trên thế giới - Ảnh 2.

The new species' body is longer than that of its cousins.

The new species also resembles most other members of the genus, with a long, pointed head and a wide mouth, and preys on small invertebrates. Its most notable difference is the lack of colored spots.

The new species was studied and analyzed by a team of scientists led by two scholars David Ebert and Jessica Jang from the Pacific Shark Research Center (based in the US).

"This genus has a wide range, occurring mainly on continental shelves and along the slopes of islands at depths of about 100 to 2,000 m.

Galeus Friedrichi, also known as the Philippine sawtail shark, was previously known through a few typical specimens caught off the coast of Sikayab-Bukana - Philippines at a depth of 550 m, but until now scientists have confirmed that this monstrous creature is a completely new species.

Its size is quite large compared to its relatives with a length of more than 50 cm; the number of vertebrae is greater.

The team revealed they are also analysing a total of nine species of catsharks, three of which – including the newly identified species – have only been named by science in the last 15 years.

“This shows how much remains to be discovered in this environment, especially as global fisheries expand into the deep sea,” the authors wrote in a paper published in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

According to Laborer

(0) Comments
Latest News
Discovered the world's strangest shark