New shark discovered in US waters

[Pedantic Wretch]

A new type of hammerhead shark has been discovered in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, marine scientists say.

The shark resembles a common species called the scalloped hammerhead but has not yet been classified or named.

US researchers say the animal appears to be rare, breeding only in waters off the South Carolina coast.

They believe the shark is at risk of extinction and conservation efforts are needed to protect females when they are raising their pups.

The shark was discovered by a biology professor at the University of South Carolina.

Dr Joe Quattro became curious about a common coastal shark called the scalloped hammerhead shark while studying coastal fish.

Genetic studies revealed that there was a second "cryptic" species - that is, "genetically distinct" from the scalloped hammerhead.

Nursery grounds

The shark appears to breed only in waters off South Carolina, although adults swim into waters off Florida and North Carolina.

"If South Carolina's waters are the primary nursery grounds for the cryptic species and females gather here to reproduce, these areas should be conservation priorities," said Dr Quattro.

"Management plans are needed to ensure that these sharks are not adversely impacted so that we can learn more."

Scientists plan to tag the shark so they can understand more about its range.

Ali Hood, director of conservation at the Shark Trust in the UK, said with only 454 recorded species of shark in the wild, it was exciting to discover another one.

"It shows how small areas of coastline are significant to certain species and it is so important to consider shark conservation on an area by area basis," she said.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...ch/5065510.stm

Published: 2006/06/10 12:28:46 GMT

© BBC MMVI

[sonic1]

Wow! That is pretty spectacular. It is very rare that a new species, especially of a large animal, is found in the vicinity of the US. Of course my experience is on land, and maybe this sort of thing is more common in oceanography. But I would guess that even for the oceans, a large animal like this is certainly a find.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by sonic1

Wow! That is pretty spectacular. It is very rare that a new species, especially of a large animal, is found in the vicinity of the US. Of course my experience is on land, and maybe this sort of thing is more common in oceanography. But I would guess that even for the oceans, a large animal like this is certainly a find.

It is a bit more common from what I understand. I've always been a big shark hound.

This is very interesting stuff.

...and in the jungles and rain forests.

[Monte Smith]

A new type of endangered species. Well fuck we gotta preserve it! Couldn't begin to calculate the loss if a brand new species no one ever heard of should vanish without a trace.

[Tom Storer]

Oh, don't be such a brat.

[Monte Smith]

Uh oh. I'm pretty sure that's the shark Gungadar cooked and ate.

[Gentle Giant]

You sure it's not a mud shark?

Hammerheads are proof that God either has a sense of humor or sometimes shows up for work drunk. Platypuses too.

[Gary Sisco]

I caught a hammerhead once off the Alabama coast a little ways. When I first saw it while still in the water, I didn't know what it was. I was thinking, irrationally in salt water, maybe a channel catfish or something. It was fun to catch and look at once in the boat. We released it afterward.

[clinthopson]

All together now - "Oh the shark has pretty teeth, dear. . ."

[Monte Smith]

Und der Haifisch, der hat Zähne,
Und die trägt er im Gesicht.

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Uh oh. I'm pretty sure that's the shark Gungadar cooked and ate.

That kid looks like good shark bait.

[Monte Smith]

What're you talking about? Gungadar fights sharks with his bare hands. He could toss that shark over the ocean so it hits a beach in Africa.

[sonic1]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

A new type of endangered species. Well fuck we gotta preserve it! Couldn't begin to calculate the loss if a brand new species no one ever heard of should vanish without a trace.

Don't be such a wuss. Is biology always political or can you appreciate a pretty interesting discovery.

Ah, I guess if you gave a shit, you might have to rethink some of your beliefs.

[Salvador Dali Lama]

i caught a shark in south carolina once. those beaches are "fuckin 'et up" with hammerheads.

yeah, they'd better pull out all the stops to preserve this species. how do they know its endangered if they JUST found it?

reminds me of a biology class i took in college. we spent a month on the study of a specific whale and how important it was to preserve and protect the species and all this shit, because they are terribly endangered. then one day one of my classmates asked the professor, just how many of these whales still exist? his response, "no one knows, we have no way to effectively count them."

it was then that i decided to drop the course, quit school, and go back to washing fucking dishes.

[Monte Smith]

Anyone see that movie where they had smart sharks? Evil genetic mutant bastards were attacking people 'n' stuff? Yeah, I know nobody saw it. The audience for it was evidently a rare and endangered species. But my buddy Will was the agent who shopped the idea to the studio, he was quite proud of himself. Greatest thing to happen to fish movies since Jaws 3D.

[Scott Dolan]

Hahahaha........

LL Cool J, baby!!

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Anyone see that movie where they had smart sharks? Evil genetic mutant bastards were attacking people 'n' stuff? Yeah, I know nobody saw it. The audience for it was evidently a rare and endangered species. But my buddy Will was the agent who shopped the idea to the studio, he was quite proud of himself. Greatest thing to happen to fish movies since Jaws 3D.

Tell Will that he owes me two hours of my life............

[Gary Sisco]

It's that generosity of spirit like Monte's that so endears republitwits to people....

[Monte Smith]

I'm more about preserving old growth potheads in Vermont.

[Scott Dolan]

Take it outside, ladies.

[Gary Sisco]

Speak for yourself, punk.

[Scott Dolan]

[Uli]

Just a jacknife has Macheath dear
And he keeps it out of sight.


First time I met a shark, i was the hammered head, he was the real deal. Scared the shit out of me.

[Scott Dolan]

Had a 3 foot nurse shark swim right in front of me when I was snorkeling in the gulf off of Boca Grande one day. Kelly was walking on water, but I thought it was pretty neat. It had just swallowed a sheepshead that was still attached to some guys fishing line.

[Salvador Dali Lama]

anyone ever see that movie with samuel l jackson where there were sharks on a plane? "i'm tired of all these motherfuckin sharks on this motherfuckin plane!"

[Jazzooo]

That genetically-manipulated shark movie has one of the most creatively surprising death scenes, though. Don't want to say who gets it, as it really is quite a surprise.

[clinthopson]

Is it time to jump this shark?

[claude]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Had a 3 foot nurse shark swim right in front of me when I was snorkeling in the gulf off of Boca Grande one day. Kelly was walking on water, but I thought it was pretty neat. It had just swallowed a sheepshead that was still attached to some guys fishing line.

A friend of mine caught a dogfish once which wouldn't be that big of a deal, except he was sitting in a kayak when he caught it. Nowhere to put the thing except between the legs He would have just cut the line but we were in the middle of nowhere Alaska and the fishing gear was of utmost importance to our food supply.

[Doc Martin]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

A new type of endangered species. Well fuck we gotta preserve it! Couldn't begin to calculate the loss if a brand new species no one ever heard of should vanish without a trace.