December 16, 2016 at 7:20 pm

Rare Deep-Sea Ghost Shark Observed for First Time Ever in Natural Habitat

by twistedsifter

 

Video observations by MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) of a Ghost Shark (Hydrolagus cf trolli), also known as the pointy-nosed blue ratfish, in the Northeast Pacific ocean represent the first ever of this animal alive in its natural habitat.

The species was originally described from specimens collected off New Caledonia in 2002. It was named in honor of Alaskan artist Ray Troll because of his fascination and appreciation for this strange group of fishes known as chimaeras.

For more information visit MBARI’s official report as well as this article on National Geographic.

 

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