A new species of whaler shark, Carcharhinus obsolerus, has been identified based on three specimens originally collected from the Western Central Pacific in the 1940s. William White, Peter Kyne and Mark Harris described their findings in the latest issue of the journal PLOS One. The researchers believe that this species might already be extinct, however, which is why they […]
New shark species named in honor of late conservationist Rob Stewart
A new species of deep-water catshark has been named in honor of underwater filmmaker and conservationist Rob Stewart. The new species, Bythaelurus stewarti, was detailed in this month’s PLOS One by Simon Wiegman and associates. The discovery was based on 121 examined specimens caught on the Error Seamount in the northwestern Indian Ocean. The family Scyliorhinidae, comprising all catsharks of […]
DNA testing the latest tool for fighting illegal shark fin trade
A multi-national research team has developed a rapid DNA identification method to help customs inspectors detect illegally traded wildlife products, beginning with sharks. The DNA testing protocol, published last month, detects nine of 12 commonly traded shark species quickly enough to enable officials to determine whether a shipment requires further inspection. The researchers focused on sharks because […]
New research shows megalodon may have been warm-blooded
New research from a team of biologists from DePaul University, William Paterson University and the University of California — Los Angeles, suggests that the massive ocean predator megalodon may have been warm-blooded and that this may have ultimately resulted in its demise as a species. The team used a system called ‘clumped’ isotope thermometry to […]
Prehistoric sharks could take down flying dinosaurs
Researchers from the University of Southern California made a surprising find while examining the fossil collection at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. One of the fossil specimens of a pterosaur was found to have the tooth, approximately one inch long, of a large shark wedged between the vertebra of its neck, providing a rare glimpse of wildlife […]
Shark watchers may have negative effects on coral reefs
As further proof of why we as humans can’t have nice things, a new study found that a massive increase in ecotourism revolving around whale sharks is having disastrous effects on the surrounding ecosystem. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong, the University of Guam, and the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines found that […]
Australia’s shark population declined dramatically in last 50 years
After reconstructing data from Queensland Shark Control Program over the last five decades, a new study by researchers from University of Queensland and Griffith University found that the population of large apex predators has decreased as much as 90 percent during that time. Researchers analyzed data from the QSCP program to create an historical baseline so […]
Did cosmic radiation kill off the megalodon?
Cosmic energy from the collapsing star may have been responsible for the mass extinction that occurred on Earth during the Pliocene era some 2.6 million years ago, according to a new study published in the journal Astrobiology. The massive amounts of radiation, which is believed to have travelled 150 light years, pummeled the Earth’s atmosphere, touching […]
Study shows sharks can develop distinct personalities
Personality in humans defines who we are. It is the unique combination of qualities and traits that form our distinct characters as individuals. Many people don’t tend to think of animals as having personalities — when they think of “elephants,” they are probably thinking of the species as a whole or in the abstract rather […]
New shark species discovered in Hawaii
Say hello to Squalus hawaiiensis, also known as the Hawaiian spurdog. This new species of deep-water dogfish shark was discovered by a team led by Florida Tech marine biologist Toby Daly-Engel. The findings were published in this month’s ZooKeys. The research team, which also included scientist Amber Koch, University of Hawaii marine biologist James M. Anderson, State […]
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