Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
Marine biologist Rochelle Constantine and her research team experienced an astonishing discovery during a research expedition off the northern coast of New Zealand. In December 2023, while observing a shortfin mako shark, they noticed something unusual atop the shark’s head.
Constantine described the sighting, noting, “It had a really large orangey-brown shape on its head.” Initially, the team speculated whether the shark was entangled in debris or possibly injured, as such injuries can often present unusual colors underwater.
To investigate further, the researchers maneuvered their boat closer to the shark, deployed a drone for aerial views, and used a GoPro camera for an up-close examination. What they uncovered was unexpected: the peculiar blob was a Maori octopus that had latched on to the shark.
“It was definitely working to keep itself very contained on top,” Constantine remarked, mentioning the occasional tentacle that peeked out. The team quickly coined the term “sharktopus” to describe the unlikely pairing.
A Very Unlikely Pair
The Maori octopus, noted as the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, typically inhabits deep ocean environments and feeds off the seabed. In contrast, the mako shark prefers the mid-water zone, rarely venturing close to the ocean floor. This disparity raises questions about their interaction, with Constantine expressing curiosity about how these two creatures found themselves together, given their vastly different habitats.
While the exact circumstances of their meeting remain unclear, Constantine believes that as long as the octopus avoids the shark’s mouth, they might be able to coexist peacefully for a time. Marine biologist Verena Tunnicliffe from the University of Victoria, who did not participate in the expedition, speculated that the octopus may have concealed itself on the shark’s back after potentially being targeted as prey, hoping to avoid detection.
Keeping it a Mystery
The origins of this “sharktopus” phenomenon have captured global interest, and the extraordinary event has ignited discussions among marine enthusiasts and scientists alike.
“I really loved that all over the world, and in different languages, people are engaging in conversations about ‘What is that? How did they come to be together?'” Constantine shared, highlighting the excitement surrounding the discovery.
This extraordinary encounter underlines the vast mysteries that remain within the ocean and emphasizes the need for greater understanding and conservation of marine life. “The lives of these animals are so much more complex than we realize,” she concluded. “It’s a reminder to reflect on how much we don’t know about the ocean, its wonders, and the importance of preserving it.”
Source
www.cbc.ca