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Scientists have discovered that large glow-in-the-dark sharks can be found off the east coast of New Zealand.
The bioluminescence of a kite shark. Source: Supplied
The deep-sea kite fin shark, black-bellied lantern shark, and southern lantern shark were found to produce their own brilliant blue light.
They were found during an NIWA Tangaroa research trip to Chatham Rise last January.
Belgian marine biologist Jérôme Mallefet’s research team joined the journey in search of the shiny sharks.
He says his previous research on bioluminescent sharks relies heavily on studying their carcasses after death.
“They look at the skin of the fish and say, ‘Oh, it has tiny light organs, so it must be luminous,'” he says.
“So I decided to take the opportunity to come to New Zealand and document them shining.”
Scientists had previously identified these three species of sharks, but this is the first time they have been discovered to be luminous.
Marine biologist Jérôme Mallefet Mallefet, Belgium, holds a black shark. Dr. Mallefet was on board a trip from Tangaroa to the Chatham Rise to document the light capabilities of some sharks in New Zealand waters. Source: Supplied
Light is created by thousands of photophores, tiny light-emitting organs, in the outer layer of the shark’s skin.
Photophores contain photocytes, which are cells with enzymes that catalyze to produce light.
It comes out as a blue glow.
“They’re glowing in the dark. They’re not flashing. They’re glowing for a long time,” says Mallefet.
They live in almost total darkness, in depths of more than 200 meters.
The kite shark, which grows to around 1.8m long, is now confirmed as the largest known luminous vertebra, the researchers say.
The bioluminescence of two shark species discovered in New Zealand. Source: Supplied
They believe the glow serves multiple purposes, including backlighting, a type of camouflage that works by producing light to match their silhouette to the sea above them.
Mallefet hopes the team can return and continue studying at Chatham Rise.
He believes there may be brighter sharks lurking in New Zealand waters.
“This first experimental study of three species of luminous sharks from New Zealand provides insight into the diversity of shark bioluminescence and highlights the need for more research to help understand these unusual inhabitants of the deep sea – glowing sharks.” .
The research was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.
