The ocean is something incredible, and if you have thalassophobia we recommend you stop reading. Now, if curiosity gets you, you should know that in the waters of the Caribbean they have found something never seen before, a bright orange nurse shark with completely white eyes.
More than two meters long and swimming off the east coast of Costa Rica, and don’t worry because it was released back into the sea right after the photo. But this animal is unique in the world, it combines two genetic conditions that had never been seen together in this species!
The discovery was led by Garvin Watson, owner of the Parismina Domus Dei hotel, and it will surprise you, but they were not scientists, it was a group of amateurs watching the coast. Even so, it ended up published in the journal Marine Biodiversity and quickly became international news.
What makes it so special
Researchers confirmed that the shark showed xanthism, a mutation that intensifies the yellow pigmentation of the skin, which is why its color was orange. This condition had been observed in frogs, birds and some fish, but never in a nurse shark!
The most shocking thing, however, were its white eyes, a typical trait of albinism, just like in the skin of humans with this same condition. The conclusion of the scientists is that it could be a combined case of albino-xanthochromism, something so rare that it had only been recorded before in a ray in the Irish Sea.
Uncommon colors
Normally, nurse sharks show tones ranging from yellowish brown to dark gray. Although there were reports of albino specimens, a case of xanthism had never been scientifically confirmed in this species until now.
Researcher Marioxis Macías-Cuyare, lead author of the study, explained that the observation was as unexpected as it was exciting, and thanks to the images taken by the fishermen, they were able to certify the unique characteristics of the animal!
Such a bright tone can make hunting difficult and increase exposure to predators, so the fact that this specimen reached adulthood is even more fascinating!
The sea and its mysteries
This orange shark is another reminder that the oceans keep secrets we still don’t understand, and how much there is left to discover! Each one of these findings makes us know a little more about marine life and shows us that we are still far from knowing what the sea mantle hides!
From Costa Rica to the rest of the world, this shark with white eyes already occupies a place on the list of discoveries that challenge what we thought we knew!
The value of sharks in Costa Rica
Even many feel panic about this incredible animal, in the coastal communities of the Costa Rican Caribbean, sharks have a strong symbolic and cultural value. For local fishermen, encountering such a special specimen is an event that transcends science, it is interpreted as a display of the power and diversity of the ocean on which their livelihoods depend!
In popular tradition, sharks represent strength, resilience and respect for the sea. It is no coincidence that the discovery of an orange shark with white eyes has aroused so much interest, not only in the scientific community, but also among the inhabitants of the area! For many, a reminder of the importance of protecting the oceans against overfishing and climate change.
Nature never stops surprising us!
Imagine, what began as a sport fishing day ended in a unique discovery for science, so randomly! The combination of xanthism and albinism makes this shark an unrepeatable specimen and opens the door to new research on how genetic mutations influence marine survival. Today, this shark swims free in the Caribbean, reminding us that nature always keeps an ace up its sleeve. What else might be in those waters? Could there be a kraken?