Costa Rican scientists may have discovered a new species of ghost shark in Pacific waters near Cabo Blanco and Cano Island. The elusive deep-sea fish, known for its cartilaginous skeleton and haunting appearance, was observed during a research expedition. Researchers are now conducting genetic analysis to confirm whether it represents a previously undocumented species.
Ghost sharks, also called chimaeras, are rare and poorly understood relatives of sharks and rays. They inhabit deep ocean environments, making them difficult to study. A confirmed new species would expand scientific knowledge of biodiversity in Pacific ecosystems.
The team collected tissue samples and photographic evidence from the suspected new species. Detailed morphological comparisons with known ghost shark species are underway. If validated, this would mark only the second ghost shark species documented in Costa Rican waters.
Confirmation could influence conservation priorities in the region, as deep-sea habitats face threats from trawling and climate change. The discovery also underscores the value of ongoing marine exploration in tropical Pacific waters.
No official name has yet been proposed for the potential new species, pending peer review of the genetic data.