Oceans: home to mysterious Pacific sleeper sharks
Oceans, covering more than half of the Earth’s surface, represent a rich and diverse ecosystem complex. Many species inhabit their depths, about which we do not know enough due to their underexplored nature. For example, Pacific sleeper sharks, which are among the largest predators in the ocean, remain a mystery to scientists, reports IFLScience.
Protecting underexplored species
Pacific sleeper sharks have close genetic ties to Greenland sharks and are even able to interbreed with them. However, they are at risk and in a vulnerable position. To protect these species and fill gaps in our knowledge, scientists have created a «central hub» of information on underexplored sharks.
The giants of the deep
It is known that Pacific sleeper sharks are among the largest inhabitants of the ocean, reaching lengths of 4.3 meters, but it is believed that adult individuals living in the deepest parts of the ocean may be even larger – up to 7 meters. Additionally, scientists speculate that these sharks have a long lifespan.
An underexplored predator
Compared to Greenland sharks, Pacific sleeper sharks remain underexplored. This is because they have no commercial value, their habitats are difficult for researchers to access, and they are rarely encountered in the ocean. According to the scientists, capturing such large marine predators is associated with significant risks.
According to Cindy Tribuzio, one of the study’s co-authors, due to the limited information about sleeper sharks, scientists find it difficult to develop strategies to protect them from extinction. Therefore, the more data that can be collected in the future, the more chances there are to preserve this species.
