The Goblin shark, a rare denizen of the deep sea, holds an aura of mystery since its discovery in the late 19th century. Often referred to as a “living fossil,” it stands alone as the sole surviving member of the Mitsukurinidae family. Its appearance, marked by pink skin, a flattened sword-like snout, 31 to 62 rows of nail-like teeth, and an elongated body, is perhaps one of the most distinctive among marine creatures. Its pink coloration stems from its blood vessels being close to the skin’s surface. With a flabby body, two small rounded dorsal fins, short and wide pectoral fins, five pairs of gill slits, a smaller anal fin compared to the dorsal fin, and a caudal fin with a poorly developed lower lobe, the Goblin shark is a captivating enigma of the deep.
A groundbreaking study, led by Emeritus Professor Kazuhiro Nakaya from Hokkaido University in Japan, analyzed unprecedented footage captured by the NHK public broadcaster. The footage depicted two separate instances of Goblin sharks capturing prey, shedding light on a century-old enigma concerning the utilization of their protruding jaws for feeding. First discovered in deep Japanese waters in 1898, the feeding process, termed “slingshot feeding” by researchers, involves the rapid projection of jaws at speeds of up to 3.1 meters per second – an unmatched pace for a fish. This projection covers distances equal to 8.6-9.4 percent of the shark’s total body length, surpassing other shark species’ jaw protrusion. The study also uncovered the sharks’ peculiar behavior of opening and closing their mouths again during jaw retraction, for reasons yet to be ascertained.
The research team inferred that the Goblin shark, possessing a sluggish swimming pace, has evolved to thrive in deep-sea environments where sustenance is scarce. This feeding mechanism seemingly compensates for its leisurely swimming. Known as Mitsukuri sharks in Japan, these creatures earned the moniker “Goblin sharks” in Western nations due to their visually striking appearance. Until now, the species remained veiled in mystery, and the newfound insights into their behavior in once shallow waters are poised to greatly influence future studies on fish adaptation to deep-sea realms.
Another method these sharks employ for procuring sustenance involves sifting through sediment on the ocean floor when they sense potential prey hidden beneath. Their elongated snouts prove highly functional for this purpose. Given their rarity in sighting and capture, the Goblin shark’s status on the IUCN Red List is classified as of “Least Concern.”
In the obscure depths where the Goblin shark prowls, it remains a living testament to the remarkable adaptations nature crafts for survival. Its unique attributes and feeding techniques provide us a glimpse into the intricate web of life within the ocean’s least explored realms. As scientists continue to unveil the secrets of these deep-sea enigmas, the allure of the Goblin shark persists, reminding us of the awe-inspiring diversity that thrives beneath the waves.
