As researchers survey the deep seas, newer species of sharks keep surfacing. One such revelation grew from an unusual egg casing, which body turned out of a shark which was unknown to man.
The Beginning: Discovery of the “Mermaid’s Purse” New Shark
In the course of their research, Australian scientists in 1989 made an interesting finding: “mermaid’s purse”, leather bag-like egg case of some sharks. These egg cases found in the East Timor seas off Rowley Shoals had unusual characteristics. It baffled members of the team as to which fish had spawned the particular eggs and what habitat they were in as well as the reasons behind the unique shape of the eggs.
The mysterious egg case posed more questions than answers. Even after thirty years of investigations, people could not leave behind the mystery behind this case. This giant leap made it possible to piece together how the case’s owner,resulting in exact pattern of ‘Sharks of a bowhead whale’ has 7 gills more…or passed. Increasing deep to ocean bearings however brings out new species.
A List of Shark Species That Gets Longer Every Day
Even in the 21st century new species of shark are still coming into light. In the twenty-first century, scientists knew around 360 species of sharks, ranging from the banded shark to the 20 cm (8-inch) dwarf lanternshark. Over the last 40 years, this number has increased by nearly 40%, with over 500 species now documented. In September 2024, researchers discovered a new species of ghost shark off the east coast of New Zealand, a close relative of sharks.
Finding the Origin of the Ridged Egg
Over decades one case of the ridged egg within which was a mystery to many continues to get the attention of various researchers. Will White, the senior curator at the Australian National Fish Collection, was part of the team that finally made the connection. There were eggcases found in Rowley Shoals which were previously investigated and deposited within the confines of the museum without further research.
On December 16, 1955, Brett Human, at the time a volunteer for the Western Australian Museum, reported finding and retrieving a ridged egg case. He could relate it to catsharks’ eggs, but the exact catshark species was still in the grey area. It helped White and his co-worker, Helen O’Neill, take the research further.
Conclusion: Elucidation of Sharks Still Unfolds
The ever-growing catalog of known shark species includes such brethren as the ridged egg case’s owner. Namely the fact that further evolution of said predators has not been fully studied. Notice these facts as viable reasons for both deep sea commercialization and the study of collections of specimens.
