In the dark depths of the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Thailand, a new discovery has stirred excitement among marine biologists: a never-before-seen species of ghost shark. With its massive head, striking iridescent eyes, and feathery fins, Chimaera supapae has emerged from the deep as a remarkable find, even though it seems plucked right out of the realm of mythology.
Chimaeras, belonging to the ancient order Chimaeriformes, are distant relatives of sharks and rays. The genus name Chimaera, derived from Greek mythology, pays homage to the mythical fire-breathing creature with three heads. Evolutionarily ancient, chimaeras trace their lineage back an astonishing 300-400 million years. Rarely encountered in the Andaman Sea, these ghostly inhabitants prefer the cold, dark depths beyond 1,640 feet (500 meters), where they feed on bottom-dwelling organisms such as crustaceans, mollusks, and worms. Their elusive nature has made them a subject of fascination and mystery among marine scientists, with lead author Dr. David Ebert spending most of his career dedicated to them. From the Pacific Shark Research Center at San Jose State University, California, Ebert has discovered other chimaera species in the past. “There were only 53 known species of chimaera in the world; this makes 54,” he remarked.
The specimen, named after the late Thailand scientist Supap Monkolprasit, who dedicated her life to studying cartilaginous fishes, was an immature male retrieved during a deep-sea survey project in 2018. Its distinguishing features immediately set it apart as a previously unknown species: although it has a sizable head, it sports a short snout and has large, oval eyes that measures over 32% of its head length! Why so big? The large, iridescent green-colored eyes help the chimaera see in the inky darkness of its habitat. In fact, many deep sea species have large eyes for the same reason!
Measuring 20 inches (51 centimeters) long, this shortnose chimaera has broad pectoral fins and feather-like frills, believed by Ebert to aid in maneuvering over rocky substrates. Its dark-brown skin, devoid of discernible patterns, also provides camouflage in the shadowy depths, while its dorsal spine offers protection against potential predators.
“The discovery of new species like this chimaera tells us how little we know about the marine environment and how much is still to be explored,” says Ebert. The discovery, he continued, underscores the critical role of deep-sea exploration in uncovering the hidden wonders of our oceans. Despite technological advancements, much of the ocean’s depths remain uncharted territory, teeming with undiscovered species and ecological marvels.
