The discovery was made during the final trawl survey of the expedition at a depth of 5400 meters. 750 mineralized (fossilized) shark teeth representing multiple predatory species were discovered during the trawl.
Scientists have discovered a shark graveyard in the depths of the ocean after collecting a specimen of a new shark species. There were even teeth in the graveyard from the immediate ancestor of the giant megalodon shark. RV Investigator, operated by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, made the discoveries in two of the nation’s newest marine parks while conducting biodiversity surveys. One of these voyages was to the remote Indian Ocean Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Park. On the second voyage, the ship will explore the Gascoyne Marine Park off the coast of Western Australia. Parks Australia manages Australia’s marine parks, and both voyages were undertaken for them.
Hornshark
Will White, a shark expert at the Australian National Fish Collection at CSIRO, said the discovery of a new species of shark was one of the most exciting finds of the underway voyage. According to Dr. White, a striking small, stripy hornshark was collected early in the voyage. It is a species that has yet to be described and named, but is unique to Australia. The specimens collected by the research team will assist science in describing the species. A hornshark is a species commonly found in shallow waters, including the well-known Port Jackson shark. On the seafloor, they hide among rocks and seaweed during the day and come out to feed at night. There is, however, little information about the behavior of this new species, as it lives in water more than 150 meters deep.
A shark graveyard at a depth of 5400 meters
While the collected specimen is exciting, the discovery of a shark graveyard on the seafloor during the previous voyage to Cocos (Keeling) Islands was very unusual. The discovery was made during the final trawl survey of the expedition at a depth of 5400 meters. 750 mineralized (fossilized) shark teeth representing multiple predatory species were discovered during the trawl. The shark teeth were found to be a mix of modern and ancient sharks, according to scientists.
Have something to add? Visit Curiosmos on Facebook. Join the discussion in our mobile Telegram group.