There’s a new shark on the block, and it glows.
In a deep-sea discovery off the coast of Western Australia, scientists have confirmed a brand-new species: the West Australian Lantern Shark. At just 40cm long, this small but fascinating creature has giant eyes, glowing bellies, and a life lived in darkness, over 600 metres below the surface.
It’s one of about 20 new species identified during a 2022 expedition by CSIRO in the Gascoyne Marine Park. And like many of Australia’s deepwater animals, it was previously unknown to science.
What Makes Lantern Sharks So Special?
Lantern sharks belong to a group of deep-sea elasmobranchs that use bioluminescence, built-in light-producing organs called photophores, to glow in the dark.
The belly glow likely helps them blend in from below, camouflaging their silhouette against the dim light filtering from above. Some scientists believe these glowing patterns could help with communication or even attracting prey.
Either way, it’s a reminder of how strange and spectacular shark evolution really is.
Why Discoveries Like This Matter
Every new shark species we discover helps scientists build a clearer picture of ocean ecosystems, and how to protect them. While most of the headlines go to their larger cousins like great whites or hammerheads, small deep-sea sharks are some of the most poorly understood, and vulnerable, of all.
The discovery of the West Australian Lantern Shark also highlights how much of Australia’s marine biodiversity remains unexplored. Scientists estimate hundreds more species collected on that same voyage are still waiting to be formally named.