Shark captured by research vessel ‘could be 512 years old’, researchers believe II 'Oldest living shark' discovered - and it's believed to be 512 years old II 512-Year-Old Shark, Believed To Be Oldest Living Vertebrate, Found In North Atlantic
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A shark captured by a research vessel may have been born when James I was on the throne of England – and when William Shakespeare was still alive.
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Scientists believe that Greenland sharks can live to up to 400 years old – and one specimen captured by a research vessel could be up to 512.
Previously, the oldest known vertebrate was the Bowhead whale, which can live to up to 211 years.
The specimen was caught in the North Atlantic and analysed by scientists, who believe that it could be up to 512 years old.
Professor Kim Praebel said at the University of Exeter, ‘The longest living vertebrate species on the planet has formed several populations in the Atlantic Ocean.
’This is important to know, so we can develop appropriate conservation actions for this important species.’
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Lead researcher Julius Nielsen of the University of Copenhagen said, ‘We only expected that the sharks might be very old.
‘But we did not know in advance. And it was, of course, a very big surprise to learn that it was actually the oldest vertebrate animal.’
The researchers write, ‘Our results show that the Greenland shark is the longest-lived vertebrate known, and they raise concerns about species conservation.’
A gigantic Greenland shark may be the oldest living vertebrate in the world.
It has been claimed the shark could be an astonishing 512 years old - meaning it was alive 60 years before Shakespeare was born.
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The Greenland shark, also known as the gurry shark, or grey shark, is a large shark of the family Somniosidae ("sleeper sharks").
It has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrate species, and is among the largest species of shark.
Staggeringly, one of a group of 28 analysed by scientists is believed to be alive some 500 years ago.
Experts used its length - 18 ft - and radiocarbon dating to determine its age as between 272 and 512 years old, according to a study in journal Science.
Professor Kim Praebel, who is leading the hunt, said the sharks were “living time capsules” that could help shed light on human impact on the oceans.
“The longest living vertebrate species on the planet has formed several populations in the Atlantic Ocean,” said Prof Praebel, who was speaking at the University of Exeter at a symposium organised by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.
“This is important to know, so we can develop appropriate conservation actions for this important species.”
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