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Three new glow in the dark shark species discovered

Researchers have discovered three new shark species that glow in the dark.

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3 years ago

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Three new glow in the dark shark species discovered
Three new glow in the dark shark species discovered

The study, published in the Frontiers in Marine Science journal, explains how the kitefin shark, the blackbelly lanternshark, and the southern lanternshark were found during a survey off the Chatham rise, an oceanic area off New Zealand's east coast, in January 2020.

Although scientists know about bioluminescence in sea creatures such as jellyfish and squids, this is the first time an apex predator such as the shark has been confirmed to glow in the dark.

The kitefin shark is now officially the largest luminous underwater creature. Its habitat is almost 1000 feet below sea level, where it preys on smaller sharks and crustaceans. It can grow to almost six feet in length.

All three species live in what is called the ocean's "Twilight Zone", an area ranging between 200 to 1000 meters, or 3200 feet below the surface of the sea.

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