Scientists have been spooked by the ghoulish discovery of a ghost shark swimming off the Andaman coast of Thailand. Researchers revealed the ghost shark is a new species named Chimaera supapae. It boasts a formidable head, oversized eyes, and delicate, feather-like fins.

 

Chimaeras, commonly known as ghost sharks, belong to the family of cartilaginous fish, sharing kinship with sharks and rays. Live Science highlighted that these cartilaginous fish represent some of the oldest species still extant today.

 

The recently identified species falls under the category of shortnose chimaeras, as detailed by researchers in a paper published on March 6 in the journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. This paper illuminates the habitat of ghost sharks, dwelling in the lightless depths of the ocean where sunlight fails to penetrate, specifically below 1,640 feet along continental slopes and oceanic ridges.

Ghost sharks predominantly prey upon bottom-dwelling creatures such as crustaceans and mollusks, as reported by Live Science. Measuring up to 20 inches in length, Chimaera supapae boasts broad pectoral fins believed to aid in its locomotion across the seabed.

Of particular interest is the creature’s discovery location: off the Andaman coast of Thailand. However, it’s worth noting that the specimen was found deceased as part of a deep-sea survey project conducted in 2018.

 

David Ebert, lead author of the study and program director of the Pacific Shark Research Center at San Jose State University in California, stated that Chimaera are rare in this region of the world.

 

“There were only 53 known species of chimaera in the world. This makes 54.”

 

The revelation of Chimaera supapae is a source of excitement for scientists as it contributes to our understanding of the vast array of life dwelling in the depths of the ocean, said Ebert.

 

“Evolutionarily, these chimaeras are among some of the oldest lineages of fishes with the lineage going back 300-400 million years.

 

“The discovery of new species like this chimaera tells us how little we know about the marine environment and how much is still to be explored.”

 

 

 

by Bob Scott 

Picture courtesy of Andrew Black

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-22

 

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I do not believe for one moment that the scientists were "spooked".

 

 

35 minutes ago, Enoon said:

I do not believe for one moment that the scientists were "spooked".

 

Indeed, particularly as: -

 

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

Measuring up to 20 inches in length

 

I just hope he doesn't end up on a menu somewhere

 

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

 

I do not believe for one moment that the scientists were "spooked".

 

 

If they were Thai scientists they might have been , many Thais believe in ghosts ...🙄

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

If they were Thai scientists they might have been , many Thais believe in ghosts ...🙄

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

Most Thais I know are spooked by everything

Only had to read the headline to know where this article originated.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

This paper illuminates the habitat of ghost sharks, dwelling in the lightless depths of the ocean where sunlight fails to penetrate

And once again the bots are at it. Keep up the good work @ The Thaiger Chat GPT.

For interest sake try reading this. A person wrote this one.

https://www.newsweek.com/new-species-ghost-shark-chimera-deep-sea-1881866

New 'Ghost Shark' Species With Giant Eyes Found Thousands of Feet Deep

5 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

I do not believe for one moment that the scientists were "spooked".

 

 

A twenty inch shark....... "Swim for your lives!"

12 hours ago, webfact said:

 

“There were only 53 known species of chimaera in the world. This makes 54.”

I can see "spooked" (maybe surprised) by discovery of the  first of the species, but #54 shouldn't be spooking anyone much less a scientist.

On 3/22/2024 at 11:33 AM, Crossy said:

 

Indeed, particularly as: -

 

 

I just hope he doesn't end up on a menu somewhere

 

It will have been well perused for potential lottery ticket numbers before it hits the deep fryer!