#etmopterus

Descubren una nueva especie de tiburón bioluminiscente en Hawái

Una nueva especie de tiburón que emite luz desde su piel (Bioluminiscencia), ha sido descubierta en lo más profundo del océano pacifico, específicamente en las cercanías de las costas de Hawái en los Estados Unidos.

Según han informado biólogos marinos de la Universidad Atlántica de Florida, en los Estados Unidos; ha logrado capturar imágenes de un tiburón con aspecto prehistórico bioluminiscente…

Lanternshark design by omnicogni

MEET THE NINJA LANTERNSHARK - A NEW LITTLE SHARK FROM THE PACIFIC COAST OF CENTRAL AMERICAL

The genus Etmopterus is one of the most species-rich genera of sharks with 37 valid species to date. Since 2002, ten new Etmopterus species have been described. Most of these new Etmopterus species were from the Indian and western Pacific Oceans and southern Africa. But records of Etmopterus species from the eastern Pacific Ocean are generally few and scattered, with possibly eight species occurring in the southeastern Pacific Ocean off Chile, but no species confirmed for the central or northern part of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Recently, however, a survey conducted by the Spanish research vessel Miguel Oliver off the Pacific coast of Central America in 2010 collected several Etmopterus specimens that appeared distinct from all other known species of this genus and are described, at the end of 2015 as a new species. 

It is the fifth species of shark to be discovered in 2015.

The species is named in honor of Peter Benchley, author of Jaws and subsequently an avid shark conservationist. His legacy, the Benchley Awards, recognizes outstanding achievements in ocean conservation. In line with Mr. Benchley’s outreach efforts, the privilege of deciding a common name for this species was bestowed upon four young shark enthusiasts, ages 8 to 14, and relatives of the first author, Vicky Elena Vásquez

 The suggested common name, the Ninja Lanternshark, refers to the uniform black coloration and reduced photophore complement used as concealment in this species, somewhat reminiscent of the typical outfit and stealthy behavior of a Japanese ninja

Photo: Etmopterus benchleyi adult female fresh specimen.

This silly picture by Vicky is a nod to Peter Benchley. But don't be scared of this shark, it could fit in your hand! That means if the image below were drawn to scale, the woman in the photo would have to be smaller than your toe!

See the other discovered sharks this year.  Dusky Snout Catshark,  Spotted-belly catshark,  Spotted-belly catshark  and the Narrowhead catshark