A photo of the newly discovered Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, Harriotta avia, is shown.
Scientists have made an exciting discovery in the deep waters near Australia and New Zealand, uncovering a new species of ghost shark. This newly identified creature, named the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, or Harriotta avia, was found in the Chatham Rise, a region of ocean floor off the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The research team is responsible for the findings from New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).
For years, scientists believed that this species of spookfish was part of a single group found globally. However, further investigation revealed distinct genetic and physical differences that set this particular species apart from its distant relatives. This discovery marks a significant step forward in understanding the diversity of life found in the deep sea.
Ghost sharks, also known scientifically as chimaeras, belong to an ancient group of fish closely related to both sharks and rays. These fascinating creatures are cartilaginous, meaning their skeletons are primarily made of cartilage rather than bone. Their life cycle begins when embryos grow inside egg capsules laid on the ocean floor. After feeding on the egg yolk until they hatch, the young ghost sharks live off small sea creatures, such as shrimp and mollusks, as they mature.
What makes the newly discovered Harriotta avia particularly unique are its physical characteristics. According to Brit Finucci, a fisheries scientist at NIWA, the ghost shark has an elongated, narrow, and flattened snout, a slender trunk, large eyes, and long, wide pectoral fins. Its striking chocolate-brown colour adds to its distinctiveness. These ghost sharks are typically found dwelling on the ocean floor at great depths, as far down as 2,600 meters (8,530 feet), making them challenging to study and monitor.
Because of their deep-water habitat, scientists know relatively little about ghost sharks, their behaviours, or their status in the wild. "Their habitat makes them hard to study and monitor, meaning we don’t know a lot about their biology or threat status, but it makes discoveries like this even more exciting,” said Finucci. This elusive nature makes each new finding especially valuable in helping researchers learn more about these mysterious creatures.
Finucci also shared a personal connection to the discovery by naming the new species after her grandmother. “Avia means grandmother in Latin; I wanted to give this nod to her because she proudly supported me through my career as a scientist,” she said. The name carries extra significance, as chimaeras are considered ancient relatives of fish, with Finucci describing them as the “grandmas and grandpas” of marine life.
In an earlier discovery in February 2022, Finucci was also part of a team that found a newly hatched ghost shark in the same region of the Chatham Rise, at a depth of around 1,200 meters (3,900 feet). The finding was significant because much of what scientists know about ghost sharks comes from adult specimens. Finding juvenile ghost sharks is rare, and such discoveries can greatly enhance understanding of their biology and development.
This new species of ghost shark, Harriotta avia, found deep in the ocean off New Zealand, represents a major breakthrough in marine research. The discovery sheds light on the diversity of ghost sharks and their mysterious deep-sea habitat, providing valuable insights into a species that has long eluded scientific study.
