LOST BEFORE FOUND: NEW SHARK SPECIES LIKELY EXTINCT DUE TO INTENSIVE FISHING
Using three preserved specimen caught in the 1930s from Broneo, Thailand and Vietnam, researchers experts in sharks have described a new species of whaler shark from the Western Central Pacific known only from historic records. Since this shark has not been since 1934, is likely now extinct.
The historic range of the lost shark (Carcharhinus obsolerus), as is proposed to be named, is currently under intense fishing pressure and this species has not been recorded anywhere in over 80 years. It lived in coastar waters along the western Central Pacific.
The specific name "obsolerus" is Latin for Extinct, in allusion to the fact that the species has not been seen in decades. According to the study where this species is described, with so few known records, there is a possibility it has been lost from the marine environment before any understanding could be gained of its full historic distribution, biology, ecosystem role, and importance in local fisheries.
- Illustration of lateral view of Carcharhinus obsolerus. Painting by Lindsay Marshall
Whaler sharks are one of the most economically important groups for the various shark fisheries that exist around the world. Also, they are found as bycatch of other commercial fisheries across its range, which cointributes to dimishes its populations, which contributes to diminishes its populations.
Imagen: Preserved specimen of Carcharhinus obsolerus.
Reference: White et al., 2019. Lost before found: A new species of whaler shark Carcharhinus obsolerus from the Western Central Pacific known only from historic records. PlosOne
[Photo description: Close up of the head and a photograph of the whole shark, showing typical features found in sharks.]