SCI-TERMS

On January 25, 2007, a rare goblin shark caught by fishermen in the bay of Tokyo. This living fossil died 2 days later. With the head of a strange and scary teeth, this fish has attracted attention of scientists from around the world. Here's a brief history of these mysterious ancient sharks.

Only a few of which can be known from this monster that is usually only stay in the oceans. Goblin shark named scientific Mitsukurina owstoni is an ancient shark that were previously considered extinct. He can instantly recognizable from the shape of his head which has a long bulge out from the forehead. Besides the scary teeth adorn his mouth. Goblin sharks can grow up to 3.3 meters long and weighing 159 kg.

This shark is generally found only in the deep ocean, far below the sunlight, more than 200 meters below sea level. They can be found in the waters around the world, from Australia to the Gulf of Mexico. But those who know them mainly from Japanese waters, a place where modern science to find them for the first time.

The first discovery of these sharks can be traced to the year 1898, when one specimen was caught in the Sagami Sea, near Yokohama, Japan. It is estimated there are about 24 species associated with these sharks. Japan's scientific name is smelly, Mitsukurina owstoni, was first given by David Jordan who received the first specimen of this fish from a zoologist named Kakichi Mitsukuri Uiversitas Tokyo. While owstoni name of respect for a collector named Alan Owston wild creatures who also obtained this fish from a Japanese fisherman.