New Delhi: In Kerala, researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) made an exciting discovery—a new species of deep-water dogfish shark known as Squalus Hima at the Sakthikulangara fishing harbour. These fascinating spurdogs, belonging to the Squalidae family and the genus Squalus, exhibit distinctive smooth spines on their dorsal fins. They are predominantly found inhabiting various marine environments across the globe.
Squalus hima: Know all about it
Under the leadership of Bineesh KK from the Marine Biology Regional Centre of ZSI, a dedicated team of scientists conducted extensive research to distinguish Squalus hima from its closely related species, such as S mitsukurii and S lalannei. Their meticulous work is a testament to the scientific rigour behind this discovery.
There are some important ways to tell they are apart, from the number of vertebrates, the number of teeth and the shape of the fins.
The discovery of Squalus hima not only enriches our understanding of the diverse species inhabiting the southwest coast of India but also underscores the urgent need to protect our environment. Dogfish sharks are caught for their meat, liver oil, and fins, so we must take steps to ensure their survival.
The new species Squalus hima is described based on 13 specimens. Team leader ZSI scientist Bineesh KK of the Marine Biology Regional Centre said, “The new species, Squalus hima, was discovered from samples we collected from a fishing harbour in Kerala close to the Arabian Sea.”
Squalus hima compared with other species
Species in the Squalus megalops group are characterised by an angular short snout, a small mouth almost as wide as the snout, the first dorsal fin origin behind the pectoral fins, and a body without any spots.
About dogfish sharks
Dogfish are small, bottom-dwelling sharks on the northern Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
They can travel long distances, and their habitat ranges from dark depths of 3,000 feet to shallower waters that receive ample sunlight.
Dogfish sharks can live for over 40 years.
They have been known to live in the Pacific for as long as 70 years.
Like other sharks, dogfish sharks are keystone predators. This means they play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem. They help control the populations of their prey, thereby preventing overgrazing and maintaining the ecosystem’s health. However, they are now a threatened species due to overfishing.
Dogfish, like all other marine animals, are adversely affected by pollution.
A significant discovery has been made in the waters of Kerala: a new species of deep-water dogfish. This new species, Squalus Hima, has been meticulously described based on 13 specimens. Join us as we delve into the details of this remarkable find. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
