New ghost shark species found off New Zealand's Chatham Rise

New Zealand researchers have made a remarkable discovery in the depths of the Pacific Ocean – a new species of "ghost shark" named Harriota avia. A long snout characterizes the new species and lives at considerable depths, making its study significantly complicated.

Harriota avia belongs to the "Ghost sharks," which are closely related to sharks and rays. These mysterious creatures lack scales, and their skeletons are entirely made of cartilage. They usually live at depths of up to 2,600 metres (8,500 feet).

"Their habitat makes them difficult to study and monitor, which means we know very little about their biology or whether they pose any threat," said Dr. Brit Finucci, one of the New Zealand scientists who described the new species, in an interview with the BBC.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) research team encountered the fish in an area of the ocean floor known as the Chatham Rise, located east of New Zealand. Dr. Finucci noted that the newly discovered species is distinguished by an exceptionally long snout, which can make up half the length of its body.

As the researcher admitted, the name Harriota avia holds personal significance for her. "Avia means grandmother in Latin. I wanted to honour her because she proudly supported my scientific career," explained Dr. Finucci.