Scientists in New Zealand have found three new deepwater shark species that glow in the dark.
Although they were already known to marine biologists, it was the first time they were found to exude light or have bioluminescence.
The kitefin shark, blackbelly lanternshark and the southern lanternshark were collected from the Chatham Rise - just off the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, January last year.
Scientists from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand have been conducting research on the sharks ever since their discovery.
The study published found that the bioluminescence is achieved through thousands of light-producing cells located within the shark’s skin.
Although there are other sea life that can also emit light, including jelly fish, researchers concluded that the sharks’ glowing underbellies might be used to help them hide from predators or other threats.
Amongst them, the kitefin is the largest-known luminous underwater creature, usually found swimming 300 metres below sea level.
The species also face an environment issue as they have no place to hide, hence the need for counterillumination as a form of camouflage, the researchers add.
It “has often been seen as a spectacular yet uncommon event at sea, but considering the vastness of the deep sea and the occurrence of luminous organisms in this zone, it is now more and more obvious that producing light at depth must play an important role structuring the biggest ecosystem on our planet,” they added.
