A brightly colored orange-yellow nurse shark has been documented for the first time in the Caribbean Sea.
This rare shark was discovered at a depth of 37 meters during a sport fishing expedition near Tortuguero National Park.
Measuring approximately two meters in length, it represents an extraordinary first-of-its-kind sighting.
Scientists confirmed the shark displays a rare condition called xanthism, which produces an excess of golden pigments in the skin.
While xanthism has been recorded in some fish, it had never been previously reported in Caribbean sharks The shark’s white eyes indicated another anomaly, with researchers identifying it as a combination of albinism and xanthism, making this discovery even more remarkable.
Nurse sharks remain prevalent throughout the Caribbean but face pressure from overfishing and habitat destruction.
Researchers explain that unusual color variations highlight genetic diversity among shark species.
Conservation of their habitats ensures that even rare anomalies continue to exist, providing new insights into marine evolution.
The study documenting this unique discovery was published in the journal Marine BiodiversityGoldenShark #Xanthism #RareSpecies #MarineWildlife #CostaRica #NurseShark #MarineDiscovery #Conservation
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