Greenland shark: Difference between revisions
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==Habits and habitat== |
==Habits and habitat== |
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Greenland sharks are deep-water sharks, living at depths up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Though famously sluggish—when hunted, they can be dragged out of the water with one's bare hands—they feed on agile prey such as fish, and on mammals like [[pinniped|seals]].<ref>"Canadian Geographic: The Greenland Shark" http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/Magazine/ma04/indepth/anthropology.asp (Accessed 7/1/07)</ref> The stomachs of a few Greenland sharks have even been found to contain pieces from [[reindeer]], [[horse]]s, and even parts of a [[polar bear]]. An entire reindeer, minus its antlers, was found in the stomach contents of one Greenland shark. Greenland |
Greenland sharks are deep-water sharks, living at depths up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Though famously sluggish—when hunted, they can be dragged out of the water with one's bare hands—they feed on agile prey such as fish, and on mammals like [[pinniped|seals]].<ref>"Canadian Geographic: The Greenland Shark" http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/Magazine/ma04/indepth/anthropology.asp (Accessed 7/1/07)</ref> The stomachs of a few Greenland sharks have even been found to contain pieces from [[reindeer]], [[horse]]s, and even parts of a [[polar bear]]. An entire reindeer, minus its antlers, was found in the stomach contents of one Greenland shark. Greenland sharks are even cannibalistic, eating each other, because they are immune to each other's toxic flesh. |
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This shark frequently has a relationship with a parasitic [[copepod]], ''[[Ommatokoita elongata]]'', that attaches itself to the [[cornea]] of the eye and feeds on the shark's corneal tissue; the resulting scar tissue leads to partial [[blindness]] of the shark. However, this does not occur in all Greenland sharks.<ref>[[Canadian Geographic]]: Searching for a Monster</ref> Also, studies show the Greenland |
This shark frequently has a relationship with a parasitic [[copepod]], ''[[Ommatokoita elongata]]'', that attaches itself to the [[cornea]] of the eye and feeds on the shark's corneal tissue; the resulting scar tissue leads to partial [[blindness]] of the shark. However, this does not occur in all Greenland sharks.<ref>[[Canadian Geographic]]: Searching for a Monster</ref> Also, studies show the Greenland shark could probably detect light from darkness. The copepod is a whitish-yellow creature that is said to be [[bioluminescence|bioluminescent]] and possibly serves the symbiotic function of attracting prey for the shark, like a [[fishing lure]]. This is suggested by the fact that these normally sluggish sharks have been found with much faster-moving animals (such as [[squid]]) in their stomachs. Biologists know little of its reproduction and life cycle, aside from [[ovoviviparous|ovoviviparity]]; its lifespan may be as long as 200 years.<ref>"Somniosus microcephalus" http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=138 (Accessed 7/1/07)</ref>,<ref>Florida Museum of Natural History, "Tracking the Mysterious Greenland Shark." http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/innews/greenland2006.html (Accessed 7/1/07)</ref> |
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The flesh of a Greenland shark is poisonous when fresh. This is due to the presence of the toxin [[trimethylamine oxide]], which, upon digestion, breaks down into [[trimethylamine]], producing effects similar to extreme drunkenness, occasional sled dogs that end up eating the flesh are unable to stand up due to the [[neurotoxins]]. However, it can be eaten if it is boiled in several changes of water or dried or rotted for some months (as by being buried in boreal ground, exposing it to several cycles of freezing and thawing). It is considered a delicacy in Iceland and Greenland. |
The flesh of a Greenland shark is poisonous when fresh. This is due to the presence of the toxin [[trimethylamine oxide]], which, upon digestion, breaks down into [[trimethylamine]], producing effects similar to extreme drunkenness, occasional sled dogs that end up eating the flesh are unable to stand up due to the [[neurotoxins]]. However, it can be eaten if it is boiled in several changes of water or dried or rotted for some months (as by being buried in boreal ground, exposing it to several cycles of freezing and thawing). It is considered a delicacy in Iceland and Greenland. |
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==Inuit legends== |
==Inuit legends== |
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The shark's "origin" comes to a legend, refering to an old woman that washed her hair with urine, and the gray cloth she used to dry it blown away after, becoming the first Greenland |
The shark's "origin" comes to a legend, refering to an old woman that washed her hair with urine, and the gray cloth she used to dry it blown away after, becoming the first Greenland shark. |
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The shark is not dangerous to humans, though there are [[Inuit]] legends of the fish attacking kayaks. <ref>[http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/innews/knifekill2003.htm Skipper Uses Knife To Kill 600-Kilo Shark<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
The shark is not dangerous to humans, though there are [[Inuit]] legends of the fish attacking kayaks. <ref>[http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/innews/knifekill2003.htm Skipper Uses Knife To Kill 600-Kilo Shark<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Inuit consider Greenland |
Inuit consider Greenland sharks a scavenging nuisance. |
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== Research == |
== Research == |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Hakarl|Hákarl]] |
* [[Hakarl|Hákarl]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 17:06, 14 March 2008
| Greenland shark | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
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| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | S. microcephalus
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| Binomial name | |
| Somniosus microcephalus | |
| File:Greenland Shark DistMap.png | |
| Range of the Greenland shark | |
| Synonyms | |
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Squalus squatina (non Linnaeus, 1758) | |
Template:FixHTML Template:Sharksportal Template:FixHTML
The Greenland shark, Somniosus microcephalus, also known as the sleeper shark, gurry shark, ground shark, grey shark, or by the Inuit Skalugsuak, is a large shark native to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean around Greenland and Iceland. These sharks live further north than any other species. They are closely related to the Pacific sleeper shark. [1] The size of the Greenland shark is impressive; it is so large that its record is comparable to (and may exceed) that of the great white shark.
Habits and habitat
Greenland sharks are deep-water sharks, living at depths up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Though famously sluggish—when hunted, they can be dragged out of the water with one's bare hands—they feed on agile prey such as fish, and on mammals like seals.[2] The stomachs of a few Greenland sharks have even been found to contain pieces from reindeer, horses, and even parts of a polar bear. An entire reindeer, minus its antlers, was found in the stomach contents of one Greenland shark. Greenland sharks are even cannibalistic, eating each other, because they are immune to each other's toxic flesh.
This shark frequently has a relationship with a parasitic copepod, Ommatokoita elongata, that attaches itself to the cornea of the eye and feeds on the shark's corneal tissue; the resulting scar tissue leads to partial blindness of the shark. However, this does not occur in all Greenland sharks.[3] Also, studies show the Greenland shark could probably detect light from darkness. The copepod is a whitish-yellow creature that is said to be bioluminescent and possibly serves the symbiotic function of attracting prey for the shark, like a fishing lure. This is suggested by the fact that these normally sluggish sharks have been found with much faster-moving animals (such as squid) in their stomachs. Biologists know little of its reproduction and life cycle, aside from ovoviviparity; its lifespan may be as long as 200 years.[4],[5]
The flesh of a Greenland shark is poisonous when fresh. This is due to the presence of the toxin trimethylamine oxide, which, upon digestion, breaks down into trimethylamine, producing effects similar to extreme drunkenness, occasional sled dogs that end up eating the flesh are unable to stand up due to the neurotoxins. However, it can be eaten if it is boiled in several changes of water or dried or rotted for some months (as by being buried in boreal ground, exposing it to several cycles of freezing and thawing). It is considered a delicacy in Iceland and Greenland.
Recently, the Greenland shark has been found within the lower St. Lawrence River, where it swimming in shallow waters for the first time. Since discovered within Quebec, divers have noted that during the female sharks will stay within the lower area of the St. Lawrence, while the male sharks swim farther up to areas where marine life is more abundant. Another notable difference, since being spotted in the St. Lawrence, is the fact that the Shark's eyes are completley clear, with no parasites. One diver has even been noted as saying that the sharks eyes watch and follow the divers as they swim.
Inuit legends
The shark's "origin" comes to a legend, refering to an old woman that washed her hair with urine, and the gray cloth she used to dry it blown away after, becoming the first Greenland shark.
The shark is not dangerous to humans, though there are Inuit legends of the fish attacking kayaks. [6]
Inuit consider Greenland sharks a scavenging nuisance.
Research
Canadian researcher William Sommers and the organization Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group (GEERG) have been studying the Greenland shark in the Saguenay Fjord and St. Lawrence Estuary since 2001. The Greenland shark has repeatedly been documented (captured or washed ashore) in the Saguenay since at least 1888. Accidental captures and strandings have also been recorded in the St. Lawrence Estuary for over a century. Current research conducted by GEERG involves the study of the behaviour of the Greenland shark by observing it underwater using scuba and video equipment and by placing acoustic and satellite tags (telemetry) on live specimens.
See also
References
- ^ Jurassic Shark (2000) documentary by Jacinth O'Donnell; broadcast on Discovery Channel, August 5, 2006
- ^ "Canadian Geographic: The Greenland Shark" http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/Magazine/ma04/indepth/anthropology.asp (Accessed 7/1/07)
- ^ Canadian Geographic: Searching for a Monster
- ^ "Somniosus microcephalus" http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=138 (Accessed 7/1/07)
- ^ Florida Museum of Natural History, "Tracking the Mysterious Greenland Shark." http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/innews/greenland2006.html (Accessed 7/1/07)
- ^ Skipper Uses Knife To Kill 600-Kilo Shark
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
- "Somniosus microcephalus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 23 January.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Somniosus microcephalus". FishBase. May 2006 version.