New glow-in-the-dark ‘Ninja’ shark species discovered

A newly discovered ninja lanternshark can light up the sea, its bioluminescent properties having been recently presented in the Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

Lanternsharks are normally found in oceans such as the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific, but never before had such predator been encountered close to Central America.

But the scientists behind the discovery can say for sure this pint-sized shark wouldn’t send beach goers into a tizzy – as the famous great white shark did in “Jaws”.

A shark collected during a research expedition in 2010 turns out to be a ninja lanternshark, a brand new species of shark, so named because it is all black, which is how a ninja is typically dressed.

Scientists have discovered a new species of sharks dubbed “ninja lanternshark” that glow in the dark and dwell in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

“The idea is that they would be stealthier than other lanternsharks”, Vasquez said, adding they found fewer of the photophores or dots that emit light on this species than on other lantersharks. The lead author of the paper, Vicky Vásquez, has given a more common name to the species, ninja lanternshark. Researchers determined that most of the shark’s photophores, which give off light, are on its snout and head. But after year 2000, researchers were able o discover up to 18 new species every year.

It’s scientific name is Etmopterus benchleyi, but when it’s all-black, lurks in the depths of the ocean, and has the ability to glow, why limit yourself? Therefore, the Ninja Lanternshark is invisible when seen from below and can “sneak up” on its prey, like small fish and shrimp.

It’s official Latin title, Etmopterus Benchleyi, may also look a little familiar to fans of Jaws.

But, Vásquez thought it would be fun to bring four of her younger cousins into the naming fray along with a group of high school students in search of a common name.

“Since we don’t have a lot of specimens we can’t confirm if they grow larger”.

Also, researchers are yet to determine how extensive the distribution of this shark truly is, or what might put its survival at risk.

So, when translating “ninja lanternshark” over to Japanese it becomes the “ninja crow shark, ” a name that simply begs for a B-movie to be made of it…preferably with Eric Roberts.