Goblin shark: Difference between revisions
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| status_system = iucn3.1 |
| status_system = iucn3.1 |
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| image = Goblin_Shark.gif |
| image = Goblin_Shark.gif |
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| image_width = 250px |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| genus_authority = [[David Starr Jordan|Jordan]], 1898 |
| genus_authority = [[David Starr Jordan|Jordan]], 1898 |
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| species = '''''M. owstoni''''' |
| species = '''''M. owstoni''''' |
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| range_map = Mitsukurina owstoni distmap.png |
| range_map = Mitsukurina owstoni distmap.png |
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| range_map_width = 250px |
| range_map_width = 250px |
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| range_map_caption = Range of the goblin shark (in blue) |
| range_map_caption = Range of the goblin shark (in blue) |
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{{Sharksportal}} |
{{Sharksportal}} |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
==Distribution and habitat== |
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[[Image:Goblin shark, Pengo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Model specimen with jaws extended]] |
[[Image:Goblin shark, Pengo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Model specimen with jaws extended]] |
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''Mitsukurina owstoni'' is a [[wiktionary:bathydemersal|bathydemersal]] deep-water shark usually found near the sea bottom, at depths of around 250 m. The deepest specimen ever caught was found at 1,300 m.<ref name="IUCN"/><ref name="FishbaseMowstoni"/> |
''Mitsukurina owstoni'' is a [[wiktionary:bathydemersal|bathydemersal]] deep-water shark usually found near the sea bottom, at depths of around 250 m. The deepest specimen ever caught was found at 1,300 m.<ref name="IUCN"/><ref name="FishbaseMowstoni"/> |
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==Anatomy and appearance== |
==Anatomy and appearance== |
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[[Image:Mitsukurina owstoni.jpg|thumb|350px|left|An early illustration of a |
[[Image:Mitsukurina owstoni.jpg|thumb|350px|left|An early illustration of a goblin shark.]] |
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Goblin sharks can grow 11 feet (3.3 m) long and weigh 350 lb (159 kg).<ref name="Animal">{{cite book |last=Kindersley |first= Dorling |year=2001,2005 |title=Animal |location=New York City |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=0-7894-7764-5}}</ref> They have the typical shark's semi-[[fusiform]] body. Unlike the common image of sharks, ''M. owstoni'''s fins are not pointed and instead are low and rounded, with the [[anal fin|anal]] and [[pelvic fin]]s significantly larger than the [[dorsal fin]]s. Their [[wiktionary:heterocercal|heterocercal]] tails are similar to the [[thresher shark]]'s, with the upper lobe significantly longer proportionately than other sharks'. In addition, the goblin shark's tail lacks a [[ventral]] lobe.<ref name="FishbaseMowstoni"/><ref name="ReefQuest1">{{cite web | last =Martin | first =Richard Aidan | authorlink = | title =Family Mitsukurinidae: Goblin Shark - 1 species | work =Biology of Sharks and Rays | publisher =ReefQuest Center for Shark Research | date = | url =http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/mitsukurinidae.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-09}}</ref> |
Goblin sharks can grow 11 feet (3.3 m) long and weigh 350 lb (159 kg).<ref name="Animal">{{cite book |last=Kindersley |first= Dorling |year=2001,2005 |title=Animal |location=New York City |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=0-7894-7764-5}}</ref> They have the typical shark's semi-[[fusiform]] body. Unlike the common image of sharks, ''M. owstoni'''s fins are not pointed and instead are low and rounded, with the [[anal fin|anal]] and [[pelvic fin]]s significantly larger than the [[dorsal fin]]s. Their [[wiktionary:heterocercal|heterocercal]] tails are similar to the [[thresher shark]]'s, with the upper lobe significantly longer proportionately than other sharks'. In addition, the goblin shark's tail lacks a [[ventral]] lobe.<ref name="FishbaseMowstoni"/><ref name="ReefQuest1">{{cite web | last =Martin | first =Richard Aidan | authorlink = | title =Family Mitsukurinidae: Goblin Shark - 1 species | work =Biology of Sharks and Rays | publisher =ReefQuest Center for Shark Research | date = | url =http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/mitsukurinidae.htm | accessdate = 2007-02-09}}</ref> |
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==Behaviour== |
==Behaviour== |
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Goblin sharks hunt by sensing the presence of prey with electro-sensitive organs in the [[rostrum (anatomy)|rostrum]], or snout, due to the absence of light in the deep waters where it swims. Once a shark finds its prey, it suddenly protrudes its jaws, while using a tongue-like muscle to suck the victim into its sharp front teeth. Some prey they have been known to feed on include deep-sea rockfish, (''Helicolenus dactylopterus'' was found in one specimen), [[cephalopods]] and [[crustaceans]].<ref name="FloridaMuseum"/> |
Goblin sharks hunt by sensing the presence of prey with electro-sensitive organs in the [[rostrum (anatomy)|rostrum]], or snout, due to the absence of light in the deep waters where it swims. Once a shark finds its prey, it suddenly protrudes its jaws, while using a tongue-like muscle to suck the victim into its sharp front teeth. Some prey they have been known to feed on include deep-sea rockfish, (''[[Helicolenus dactylopterus]]'' was found in one specimen), [[cephalopods]] and [[crustaceans]].<ref name="FloridaMuseum"/> |
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==Reproduction== |
==Reproduction== |
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* It can be seen in several video games released for a variety of gaming platforms. The goblin shark is one of twenty marine animals featured in the [[Personal computer|PC]]/[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] game, ''[[Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania]]''.<ref name="ZooTycoon2MM">{{cite video game| title = Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania| developer = [[Blue Fang Games]]| publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]| date = 2006-10-07| platform = Microsoft Windows| version =US| language = english}}</ref> |
* It can be seen in several video games released for a variety of gaming platforms. The goblin shark is one of twenty marine animals featured in the [[Personal computer|PC]]/[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] game, ''[[Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania]]''.<ref name="ZooTycoon2MM">{{cite video game| title = Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania| developer = [[Blue Fang Games]]| publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]| date = 2006-10-07| platform = Microsoft Windows| version =US| language = english}}</ref> |
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* Miniature ornamental figurines of the shark have been made by various companies for decorative purposes (see image to the right).<ref name="JapaneseSite">{{cite web|title=Unidentified Japanese gaySite|url=http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~sokaisha/rabbit/010502/010502.htm|accessdate=2007-02-09}}</ref> |
* Miniature ornamental figurines of the shark have been made by various companies for decorative purposes (see image to the right).<ref name="JapaneseSite">{{cite web|title=Unidentified Japanese gaySite|url=http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~sokaisha/rabbit/010502/010502.htm|accessdate=2007-02-09}}</ref> |
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* [[Zigra]], a foe from the Japanese kaiju series, [[Gamera]], bears some resemblance to a goblin shark. |
* [[Zigra]], a foe from the Japanese kaiju series, ''[[Gamera]]'', bears some resemblance to a goblin shark. |
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* One of the bosses in [[G Darius]], Eternal Triangle, is modeled on the goblin shark. |
* One of the bosses in [[G Darius]], Eternal Triangle, is modeled on the goblin shark. |
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* Guitarist Buckethead has a song named Goblin Shark on his album [[Pepper's Ghost (album)|Pepper's Ghost]]. |
* Guitarist Buckethead has a song named Goblin Shark on his album [[Pepper's Ghost (album)|''Pepper's Ghost'']]. |
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* In the Wii game [[Endless Ocean]], a |
* In the Wii game ''[[Endless Ocean]]'', a goblin shark can be found at the bottom of the Abyss at night. |
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* A film in production originally called 'Malibu Shark Attack' has now been renamed 'Goblin Shark Attack'. |
* A film in production originally called ''Malibu Shark Attack'' has now been renamed ''Goblin Shark Attack''. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 08:31, 2 August 2008
| Goblin shark | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Order: | |
| Family: | Mitsukurinidae Jordan, 1898
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| Genus: | Mitsukurina Jordan, 1898
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| Species: | M. owstoni
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| Binomial name | |
| Mitsukurina owstoni Jordan, 1898
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| Range of the goblin shark (in blue) | |
The goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni, is a deep-sea shark, the sole living species in the family Mitsukurinidae.[2] The most distinctive characteristic of the goblin shark is the unorthodox shape of its head. It has a long, trowel-shaped, beak-like rostrum or snout, much longer than other sharks' snouts. Some other distinguishing characteristics of the shark are the color of its body, which is mostly pink, and its long, protrusible jaws.[2] When the jaws are retracted, the shark resembles a pink grey nurse shark, Carcharias taurus, with an unusually long nose.
Mitsukurina owstoni is found in the deep ocean, far below where the sun's light can reach at depths greater than 200 m. They can be found throughout the world, from Australia in the Pacific Ocean[3] to the Gulf of Mexico in the Atlantic Ocean.[4] They are best known from the waters around Japan, where the species was first discovered by modern science.[5]
Goblin sharks feed on a variety of organisms that live in deep waters. Among some of their known meals are deep-sea squid, crabs and deep-sea fishes. Very little is known about the species' life history and reproductive habits, as encounters with them have been relatively rare. As seemingly rare as they are however, there seems to be no real threat to their populations and so they are not classified as endangered species by the IUCN.[6]
Taxonomy
The goblin shark was originally described in 1898 by Jordan as Mitsukurina owstoni, from a specimen obtained in the Sagami Sea, near Yokohama, Japan.[7]
Another specimen caught was described in 1909 as Scapanorhynchus jordoni by Louis Hussakof. For a time, the species was moved to the genus Scapanorhynchus and was referred to as Scapanorhynchus owstoni, a scientific name now invalid.[8][9]
The fossil record includes another two dozen or so related species in two (extinct) genera, Scapanorhynchus and Anomotodon.
The genus' name Mitsukurina is named after Kakichi Mitsukuri, a Japanese zoologist from the University of Tokyo who was responsible for bringing the then-unidentified specimen to David Jordan for proper taxonomic identification and description.[10][2] The species itself was named by Jordan in honor of avid wildlife collector Allan Owston, who acquired the first specimen from a Japanese fisherman.[11]
The shark's common name is a translation of the Japanese name tenguzame, which was the original term that Japanese fishermen used to refer to the shark prior to its description. It refers to the goblin-like tengu of Japanese folklore, which has a long nose reminiscent of the goblin shark's snout.[10]
Distribution and habitat
Mitsukurina owstoni is a bathydemersal deep-water shark usually found near the sea bottom, at depths of around 250 m. The deepest specimen ever caught was found at 1,300 m.[6][2]
Only about 45 specimens of Mitsukurina owstoni have been described in the scientific literature.[12]
Most goblin sharks that have been caught were from Japan (where it was first discovered), specifically in an area between Tosa Bay and Boso Peninsula. The species' Pacific range is rather large. M. owstoni specimens have been found in the waters off South Africa, from various sites throughout the western Pacific Ocean. Goblin sharks have also been found off the coasts of Australia[3] and New Zealand.[13][14]
In the Atlantic Ocean, they have been found in the western Atlantic off French Guiana, in the eastern Atlantic in the Bay of Biscay and off Madeira and Portugal.[6] On the other side of the Atlantic, goblin sharks have been found in the Gulf of Mexico.[4]
Anatomy and appearance
Goblin sharks can grow 11 feet (3.3 m) long and weigh 350 lb (159 kg).[15] They have the typical shark's semi-fusiform body. Unlike the common image of sharks, M. owstoni's fins are not pointed and instead are low and rounded, with the anal and pelvic fins significantly larger than the dorsal fins. Their heterocercal tails are similar to the thresher shark's, with the upper lobe significantly longer proportionately than other sharks'. In addition, the goblin shark's tail lacks a ventral lobe.[2][16]
The pink coloration, unique among sharks, is due to blood vessels underneath a semi-transparent skin (which bruises easily), thereby causing the coloring. The fins have a bluish appearance. Goblin sharks lack a nictitating membrane. They have no precaudal pit and no keels. The front teeth are long and smooth-edged, while the rear teeth are adapted for crushing.[17]
Up to 25% of the goblin shark's body weight can be its liver. It is currently not understood why the shark has such a large liver.[5]
Behaviour
Goblin sharks hunt by sensing the presence of prey with electro-sensitive organs in the rostrum, or snout, due to the absence of light in the deep waters where it swims. Once a shark finds its prey, it suddenly protrudes its jaws, while using a tongue-like muscle to suck the victim into its sharp front teeth. Some prey they have been known to feed on include deep-sea rockfish, (Helicolenus dactylopterus was found in one specimen), cephalopods and crustaceans.[18]
Reproduction
Next to nothing is known from the goblin sharks' reproductive habits. Even though a pregnant goblin shark has never been caught or found, as members of the order Lamniformes, they are hypothesized to be ovoviviparous; their eggs mature and hatch inside the mother's body and the shark "gives birth" to live young.[18]
Importance to humans
Goblin sharks are most often encountered as fisheries' bycatch. As they stay near the sea bottom, they are usually caught via deep bottom-set gillnets and sea-bottom long line fishing. They are also sometimes caught by trawling. In addition, they are sometimes found entangled by deep-sea fishing lines.[6]
There is a demand by some collectors for the skeletal jaws of goblin sharks. Prices of these jaws range from US$1,500 to US$4,000.[6]
Specific occurrences
The first goblin shark discovered was caught by a Japanese fisherman in the Kuroshio Current off the coast of Yokohama, Japan in 1897. This specimen was later identified as a 3.5-ft male shark.[5][10]
In 1985, a goblin shark was discovered in waters off eastern Australia.[3] Several specimens have been caught in the vicinity of New South Wales and Tasmania and are preserved at the Australian Museum.[11] A four-meter long specimen was caught in waters off Tasmania in 2004. The shark was taken to the national fish collection in Hobart.[19] In nearby New Zealand, a goblin shark was also caught only a few years later, in 1988.[13]
In 2003, more than a hundred goblin sharks were caught off the northwest coast of Taiwan, an area in which they have previously not been found. Reportedly, the sharks were caught a short time after an earthquake occurred in the area.[6]
A goblin shark was kept by the Tokai University of Japan; the fish in question died after a week.[18]
On January 25, 2007 a 1.3 m long goblin shark was caught alive in Tokyo Bay, in waters 150 to 200 m (500 to 650 ft) deep. It was taken to the Tokyo Sea Life Park to be displayed in an aquarium, but died two days later on January 27.[20][21]
Later the same year in April, several animals were seen swimming in shallow waters in the Japanese Sea. A live one was caught near Tokyo Bay. It is the first time the animals have been seen swimming in shallow waters.[citation needed]
Role in the ecosystem
The goblin shark is an upper-level carnivore in its natural habitat. As a macro-organism, it has its fair share of external and internal parasites. Two new species of tapeworm were discovered in a specimen captured off Australia, Litobothrium amsichensis and Marsupiobothrium gobelinus.[18]
Conservation Status
In 2004, Mitsukurina owstoni was classified by the IUCN's Shark Red List Authority as a species of "Least Concern". The rationale given was that despite the fact that goblin shark sightings have been relatively rare, the worldwide distribution of the species, combined with the fact that it was not accidentally taken often as bycatch in fisheries ensured that the species is most probably not in any reasonable danger of extinction. The IUCN described the major threats to M. owstoni populations' as either harvesting (as an intentional target for fishing), accidental mortality (bycatch) and to a lesser-extent, water pollution. There are no active conservation efforts being made toward this specific species.[6]
Appearances in popular culture
As obscure as it is in nature, Mitsukurina owstoni appears in some aspects of popular culture.
- It can be seen in several video games released for a variety of gaming platforms. The goblin shark is one of twenty marine animals featured in the PC/Windows game, Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania.[22]
- Miniature ornamental figurines of the shark have been made by various companies for decorative purposes (see image to the right).[23]
- Zigra, a foe from the Japanese kaiju series, Gamera, bears some resemblance to a goblin shark.
- One of the bosses in G Darius, Eternal Triangle, is modeled on the goblin shark.
- Guitarist Buckethead has a song named Goblin Shark on his album Pepper's Ghost.
- In the Wii game Endless Ocean, a goblin shark can be found at the bottom of the Abyss at night.
- A film in production originally called Malibu Shark Attack has now been renamed Goblin Shark Attack.
References
- ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (Chondrichthyes entry)". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: p.560. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
{{cite journal}}:|pages=has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c d e Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Mitsukurina owstoni". FishBase. October 2005 version.
- ^ a b c Stevens, J. D. (1985). "A new record of the goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni (Family Mitsukurinidae), from eastern Australia". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 108 (1). The Linnean Society of New South Wales: 37–45.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Parsons, G. R. (2002). "First record of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni, Jordan (Family Mitsukurnidae) in the Gulf of Mexico". Southeastern Naturalist. 1 (2). Humboldt Field Research Institute: 189–192. doi:10.1656/1528-7092(2002)001[0189:FROTGS]2.0.CO;2.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c Johnson, Dana. "Goblin Shark - Mitsukurina owstoni". Green Goblin Unlimited. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g Template:IUCN2006
- ^ Jordan, David S. (1898). "Description of a species of fish (*Mitsukurina owstoni*) from Japan, the type of a distinct family of lamnoid sharks". Proceedings of the California Academy of Science (Series 3). 1 (6). The California Academy of Science: 199–204.
- ^ "Mitsukurina owstoni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 9 February.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "Scapanorhynchus owstoni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 9 February.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ a b c Reader, Sally. "Goblin Shark". Australian Museum Collections - Ichthyology -. Australian Museum. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ^ a b McGrouther, M. (2006). "Goblin Shark - Mitsukurina owstoni (Jordan, 1898)". Find a Fish. Australian Museum Online. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
- ^ Martin, Richard Aidan. "Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) Specimens in the Scientific Literature". Biology of Sharks and Rays. ReefQuest Center for Shark Research. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ^ a b Stewart, A. L. (1988). "Records of three families and four species of fish new to the New Zealand fauna". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 15. The Royal Society of New Zealand: 577–583.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Duffy, C. A. J. (1997). "Further records of the goblin shark, Mitsukurina owstoni (Lamniformes: Mitsukurinidae), from New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 24. The Royal Society of New Zealand: 167–171.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Kindersley, Dorling (2001,2005). Animal. New York City: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Martin, Richard Aidan. "Family Mitsukurinidae: Goblin Shark - 1 species". Biology of Sharks and Rays. ReefQuest Center for Shark Research. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ^ Martin, Richard Aidan (1999). "Biology of the Goblin Shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)". Sharks. GreenGoblin.com. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
- ^ a b c d Jordan, Vanessa. "Biological Profiles: Goblin Shark". Ichthyology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Florida Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
- ^ "Researchers to study rare shark". ABC News Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2004-02-02. Retrieved 2007-02-09.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Rarely seen 'living fossil' shark caught off Tokyo". Yahoo! News. Yahoo! Inc. 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Goblin shark caught alive". Zoo Net. Tokyo Zoological Park Society. 2007-01-25. Retrieved 2007-02-17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Blue Fang Games (2006-10-07). Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania (Microsoft Windows) (US ed.). Microsoft Game Studios.
- ^ "Unidentified Japanese gaySite". Retrieved 2007-02-09.