Indian Scientists Identify New Deep-Sea Shark Species in the Indian Ocean

Marine researchers in India have officially identified a new species of deep-sea shark, known as the Indian Bramble Shark. The species, scientifically named Echinorhinus roinee, was previously mistaken for the Atlantic bramble shark for several decades. This discovery highlights the vast, unexplored biological diversity hidden within the depths of the Indian Ocean. The identification was a collaborative effort between the Zoological Survey of India and the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. Scientists published their detailed findings in the latest volume of the Records of the Zoological Survey of India. This work confirms that the shark represents a unique genetic lineage separate from its relatives in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Specimens of the shark were first collected at the Sakthikulangara Fishing Harbour in Kollam, Kerala. These sharks were caught incidentally by deep-sea shrimp trawlers operating in the region. By studying these bycatch samples, researchers were able to conduct the necessary morphological and genetic examinations to distinguish the new species. The Indian Bramble Shark typically lives along continental slopes at depths between 350 and 450 metres. It can grow to a length of approximately three metres and possesses a dark brown to black body. Its skin is covered in prominent, thorn-like denticles that develop into multi-pointed plates as the animal matures. Researchers noted several physical characteristics that set this shark apart from other known species. These features include larger eyes, relatively larger pelvic fins, and a longer snout-to-gill region. Such distinct traits were confirmed through a combination of physical observation and mitochondrial DNA barcode analysis. Genetic testing provided the final evidence needed to classify the shark as a distinct species. The analysis showed that Echinorhinus roinee belongs to a specific Indian Ocean lineage. This genetic data separates it clearly from the Atlantic bramble shark and the Pacific prickly shark. This discovery underscores the importance of continued deep-sea research in Indian waters. Scientists believe that the deep-sea ecosystem remains a frontier for biological discovery, with many species still waiting to be documented. The identification of this shark serves as a reminder of how much remains unknown about marine life. Conservation experts emphasize that understanding these deep-sea habitats is vital for protecting marine biodiversity. As human activity reaches deeper into the ocean, documenting these species becomes increasingly urgent. The researchers hope this finding will encourage further exploration and protection of the Indian Ocean's unique environments. Future studies will likely focus on the population size and distribution of the Indian Bramble Shark. Because the species was identified through bycatch, there is limited information regarding its total numbers in the wild. Scientists aim to learn more about its role in the deep-sea food web to better understand its ecological impact. This breakthrough adds to a growing list of marine discoveries made in recent years across the globe. From the deep canyons of the South Atlantic to the reefs of the Red Sea, international teams are working to map the hidden life of the ocean. Each new species provides a piece of the puzzle in understanding the history and health of our planet's waters.