This species are formally known as chimeras and informally as the spookfish. They are a small group of cartilaginous fishes. This species of sharks have been around for over 400 million years. Although they are called ghost sharks, they are not true sharks. These species spent most their time below the sea at a depth ranging from 1312 feet to 6561 feet. They are often smaller in size compared to the true sharks, with a size of 4 ft. Interestingly, the ghost shark has a club-like structure that pop in and out of its forehead, something unusual in true sharks.
These pseudo-sharks are known for their dead eyed gaze and winged fins. Unlike bigger sharks, they don’t have many sharp teeth, instead they have mineral plates. Ghost sharks live solitarily. They are edible and sold as food in some areas. Their liver oil is once provided a useful lubricant for guns and fine instruments. According to the IUCN, they are enlisted as Least Concerned. Due to the body structure of this fish, they can be dangerous and cause injury if not handled appropriately
Taxonomy
The ghost shark belongs to the order Chimaeriformes and family of Callorhinchidae. The scientific name of the ghost shark is Callorhinchus milii
Morphology
The chimeras are easily recognizable due to body features such as the presence of a club-like structure located on the snout. The mouth is located just behind the snout and the eyes, which are often green are set high on the head. There is a single gill opening immediately in front of the pectoral fin. They have a large pectoral fins that appear like wings for movement. Regarding coloration, the body is silvery white, resembling aluminium foil and occasionally has dark markings posterior to the eyes as well as on fins.
Adaptation
Even though ghost shark lives solitary, they are capable of self-defense against bigger predators in the ocean due their highly venomous razor sharp spine. The club-like projection on the snout of the ghost shark is used to locate prey. The end of this structure is covered in pores that sense movement and weak electrical field. The life span of the ghost shark is estimated to be around 15 years.
Feeding
Ghost sharks feed primarily on shellfish and molluscs. They have plated teeth that allow them to efficiently chomp down on the tough shells of crustaceans. Unlike many sharks, they have only one set of teeth.
Habitat
These deep sea dwellers are found everywhere with the exception of the Arctic. They are most abundant off the beaches of Australia and New Zealand, however, some species have also been found off the California coast. They reside on the continental shelves of cool temperate areas to depths of at least 656 feet. They have also been reported to migrate into estuaries and inshore bays during the spring months for mating.
Reproduction
The ghost shark is oviparous. The female released two keratinous egg cases during the spring months onto sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow water. During eight months, the embryos remain in the egg cases, feeding solely on the yolk. When they hatch, the young ones measure approximately 6 inches each. As they grow, they will move from the shallow water nursery environment to deeper water.
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References
Bittel, J (2016, December 15). Deep Sea Ghost Shark Filmed Alive In Ocean For the First Time. Weird & Wild. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/12/pointy-nosed-blue-chimaeras-ghost-sharks/
Marquez, M.C (2018, October 30). What Everyone Ought to Know about Ghost Sharks this Halloween. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissacristinamarquez/2018/10/30/what-everyone-ought-to-know-about-ghost-sharks-this-halloween/#77c71783e1fe
Fruen, L (2017, July 26). What is a deep sea ghost shark, how big blue chimaeras and where do they live? The Sun. Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/2435611/deep-sea-ghost-shark-blue-chimaera-habitat/
Shark Week (2019). The Ghost Shark is Totally Weird and Awesome. Retrieved from https://start.att.net/exclusive/discovery/shark-week/the-ghost-shark-is-totally-weird-and-awesome
Encyclopedia Britannica (2019). Chimera. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/animal/chimaera
Bester, C (2019). Callorhinchus milii. Florida museum. Retrieved from https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/callorhinchus-milii/
Glowatz, E (2017, June 6). What is a Ghost Shark? 4 Facts about the Scary-Looking Chimaera. International Business Times. Retrieved from https://www.ibtimes.com/what-ghost-shark-4-facts-about-scary-looking-chimaera-2551548