New Ghost Shark Species Discovered by NIWA

Researchers from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) have discovered a new species of ghost shark, named Harriotta avia, in the deep waters of Australia and New Zealand. Known as the Australasian Narrow-nosed Spookfish, this species is distinct due to its elongated snout, broad pectoral fins, and chocolate brown skin. Previously thought to be a variant of a globally distributed species, genetic and morphological analyses confirmed it as a unique species. Ghost sharks, or chimaeras, are cartilaginous fish related to sharks and rays and are difficult to study due to their deep-sea habitats. This discovery highlights the need to re-evaluate the classification of Harriotta species globally and underscores how much remains unknown about deep-sea life.