'Giant luminous shark': researchers discover three deep-sea sharks glow in the dark

Discovery off New Zealand includes kitefin shark, which at up to 180cm is now biggest-known luminous vertebrate Scientists studying sharks off New Zealand have discovered that three deep-sea species glow in the dark - including one that is now the largest-known luminous vertebrate.Bioluminescence - the production of visible light through a chemical reaction by living organisms - is a widespread phenomenon among marine life, but this is the first time it has been documented and analysed in the kitefin shark, the blackbelly lanternshark, and the southern lanternshark. Continue reading...