What's Happening?
A fisherman in Costa Rica, Garvin Watson, recently caught a rare orange nurse shark near Tortuguero National Park. The shark, measuring 6 feet 6 inches, displayed a bright orange body and white eyes, a phenomenon known as xanthism. This pigmentation condition,
which results in yellow or golden tones, has never been recorded in this species before. The discovery was documented in the Marine Biodiversity journal, marking the first scientifically documented case of total xanthism in the species and the first record from the Caribbean Sea. The shark was released back into the water after being photographed.
Why It's Important?
The discovery of the orange nurse shark is significant for marine biology as it highlights the occurrence of rare genetic traits in marine species. This finding could lead to further research on genetic mutations and their impact on marine biodiversity. The presence of xanthism in a nurse shark, a species typically known for its brown coloration, challenges existing knowledge about pigmentation in marine animals. This could have implications for understanding how such traits affect survival and adaptation in the wild, potentially influencing conservation strategies for vulnerable species like the nurse shark.
