Researchers initially believed the fish was part of a well-known species found around the world.
Ghost sharks are cartilaginous fish closely related to sharks and rays.
They have smooth skin and beak-like teeth, and feed off small crustaceans.
They are also known for their large pectoral fins, which allow them to glide through the water.
Also known as chimeras, ghost sharks are usually found at great ocean depths.
Unfortunately, their habitat makes them hard to study and monitor.
Finucci, who helped discover this new species, named itHarriotta avia.
The name contains a loving tribute to her own grandmother, as avia means grandmother in Latin.
Ultimately, she hopes this discovery will help researchers understand and protect these species.
Its really neat to be able to contribute to science.
Understanding the animal itself can feed into further research and whether they need conservation management.
Snaps a Beautiful Drone Image of a School of Fish Forming a Heart
