Deep in the waters surrounding the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, a newly discovered species of shark lives a mysterious life hundreds of meters below the surface of the sea, and little is known about its life and the environment in which it lives.
Hot Topics
In a new study recently published in the Ocean Science Foundation journal, scientists officially named this shark "Etmopterus bulbosus" and gave it the common name "Lantern-nosed Shark," referring to what they described as its "large, bulbous snout."
Contrary to the traditional image associated with sharks, which is often related to large size, the new species attracts attention with its small size, as the specimen described by the researchers is only 21.5 centimeters long, making the fish able to easily fit in the palm of an adult's hand.
This size places the newly described species among the contenders for the title of "world's smallest shark," as the difference between it and the world's smallest shark, the dwarf lanternshark (Etmopterus pyri), is only 3 millimeters. The maximum recorded length for that species is about 21.2 centimeters, making the newly discovered shark very close in size.
The sample was collected during a research survey conducted by the scientific research vessel "Dr. Fridjof Nansen" off the coast of Mauritius in 2025. Strangely, the description of the entire species is currently based on only one female, which was found at a depth of between 400 and 500 meters, retrieved by trawl nets, and then studied to determine its characteristics and describe the features that distinguish it from other species.
A single specimen may seem insufficient evidence to declare the discovery of a new species of shark, but scientists do not rely on the number of specimens alone or a single unusual feature. They examine their anatomical characteristics, compare them to closely related species, and use genetic analysis to confirm that they do indeed represent an independent lineage.
In this case, the new species was included in the group “Etmopterus bocillus”, which is one of 4 major groups within the genus “Etmopterus”, which is characterized by remarkable diversity, as it currently includes 44 known species, organized into evolutionary groups that include closely related species, and share similar morphological characteristics, making it one of the most diverse groups of sharks.
Like other members of these groups, which bear a name that accurately reflects their nature, the new shark has the ability to emit light from its body, a property known as "bioluminescence," which is produced by specialized skin cells known as "photophores."
These striking luminous patterns, which vary from species to species, are believed to be prevalent among small, deep-sea lanternfish, and to perform multiple functions , such as communication, mating, and interaction with the surrounding environment, as well as attracting prey or warning and deterring predators. They are also associated with a phenomenon known as "counter-light camouflage," which is one of the mechanisms of concealment in the marine environment.
Tags:
science