Researchers from New Zealand and Belgium have discovered three new shark species that glow in the dark. This is reported by NBC News with reference to the publication in the Frontiers in Marine Science journal.
Scientists have discovered bioluminescence in three species of deep-sea sharks caught while fishing near the Chatham Seamount near New Zealand in January 2020 – the luminous etmopterus Etmopterus lucifer, the southern shark Etmopterus granulosus and the black shark Dalatias licha (or whale shark).
The black shark Dalatias licha is the largest known luminous underwater creature. The shark usually swims 300 meters below sea level and preys on smaller sharks, fish and crustaceans.
This discovery marks the first time scientists have found evidence of bioluminescence in sharks.