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Scientists Unveil the World’s Oldest Living Vertebrate: A 512-Year-Old Shark

Scientists Unveil the World’s Oldest Living Vertebrate: A 512-Year-Old Shark

A recent scientific discovery has revealed that a Greenland shark, residing in the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, is an astounding 512 years old, making it the oldest living vertebrate on Earth. Researchers had long known that these sharks reached advanced ages, but the remarkable finding only came to light recently, when the shark’s age was determined with a more accurate method.

At 512 years old, this shark predates even the works of Shakespeare, having been born in 1505, and stands as a true testament to the slow-growing nature of Greenland sharks. This species is renowned for its longevity, often living to be several hundred years old, with some individuals even surpassing 400 years. The newly discovered shark, however, has shattered previous records by reaching an age beyond what scientists had ever imagined possible.

Greenland sharks are known for their gradual growth, taking approximately 150 years to reach sexual maturity. Their lifespan is extended due to their slow metabolic rate and the cold temperatures of their habitat. This species’ ability to live so long has puzzled scientists for years. Prior to this discovery, the method for estimating the age of these sharks was based on their size, with the understanding that they grow roughly 0.4 inches per year. However, this method has proven unreliable when it comes to accurately determining the age of older sharks, especially once they have reached full maturity.

Marine biologist Julius Nielsen and his research team have provided a breakthrough by analyzing the levels of radiocarbon in the shark’s eye lenses. This technique has allowed scientists to estimate its age with much greater precision, confirming the shark’s extraordinary age. As Nielsen puts it, this discovery adds to the understanding that Greenland sharks should be regarded as some of the oldest living animals on the planet.

Nielsen’s research team, which includes experts from Denmark, Greenland, the USA, and China, is now focused on further studying the shark’s genetics. This will help scientists understand the factors that contribute to such an extended lifespan. By sequencing the shark’s entire nuclear genome, researchers hope to uncover the secrets behind its longevity and potentially apply this knowledge to other species, perhaps shedding light on ways to increase life expectancy in different vertebrates.

This discovery has opened up new questions about the remarkable biology of the Greenland shark, especially its ability to thrive in Arctic waters for such an extraordinary span of time. The species has adapted to life in a cold, harsh environment, often feeding on rotting polar bear carcasses, and dealing with parasites that affect their eyes. These sharks also migrate across vast distances, indicating a broader geographical range than scientists previously understood.

As research continues, biologists are eager to uncover why the Greenland shark lives so much longer than other vertebrates, and how its long-life genes might offer insight into aging and longevity across species.

Greenland Shark: The Longest Living Vertebrate on Earth

The Greenland shark, which can live for centuries, has now officially been recognized as the longest-living vertebrate known to science. With newfound precision in age estimation, scientists are exploring what makes these sharks capable of living for over 500 years.

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