Friday, January 27, 2012

World-first hybrid shark

The world's first hybrid shark - a cross between two black-tips has been found off the east coast of Australia.

Researchers found 57 of the new sharks along 1200 miles of coastline between New South Wales and Queensland, saying the interbreeding may be a response to climate change or fishing patterns.

Like the two parent species, the common black-tip and the Australian black-tip, the new shark is not considered dangerous - and scientists say there is no risk of the hybrids leading to a Jaws-style "mega-shark".

The hybrids were found at five locations and identified using genetic testing and body measurements. While the two parent black-tip species are closely related, they grow to different maximum sizes and are genetically distinct.

Dr Colin Simfendorfer, from James Cook University, said finding the hybrids was "very unusual".

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