New ‘Glow in the Dark’ Shark Species Was Discovered in the Pacific Ocean

Researchers have published a new study announcing that a new ‘Glow in the dark’ shark species was discovered in the Pacific Ocean. The name of the new species was given by the scientist’s little cousin, who decided the best name would be Ninja Lanternsharks.

For as much as marine biologists would search up and down the water of oceans and seas, there are still species that remain undiscovered. It was also the case of the recently discovered Ninja Lanternsharks, which were first spotted at the beginning of the year on the Coast of Central America.

Scientists were first surprised by the unusually stealth shape of the shark. It has a very dark color of the skin that is in strong contrast with its fluorescent eyes and mouth. Scientists have debated for a long period of time whether the fluorescent body parts of the species represent an advantage or a disadvantage.

After various analyses, they have come to the conclusion that glowing in the dark helps keep the shark stealth by hiding its shadow. This is the main reason why the newly found species of sharks was named the “Ninja Lanternshark”, given its striking resemblance with the Japanese model of Ninjas.

The name, and here comes the fun part, was assigned by a small group of children aged 8 to 14 years. Vicky Vasquez, the co-author of the study, asked the small children to come up with a catchy name for the new species. After a brief brainstorming session, the helpers have come up with this unique name that perfectly describes the color pattern of the sharks.

Yet, scientists have to continue investigating to get more information on the shark species that is scientifically named Etmopterus benchleyi. They have many other questions to answer considering that they do not know how big an adult can get.

The female exemplars they have discovered had just 515 millimeters. Scientists assumed they were at an adult age because they had eggs, but they still have to compare them with other sharks of the same species to be certain.

Their next goal is to find a male exemplar because they did not find any in the current research. For this purpose, scientists ask marine biologists to give them any information if they find any male exemplars.

The study was published on the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

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