Sliteye Shark

For the first time ever, scientists have recorded the sliteye shark in the Great Chagos Bank, part of the Indian Ocean.

This is significant because:
- The Great Chagos Bank is the world’s largest coral atoll (a ring-shaped reef or island formed of coral).
  
  It highlights the ecological importance of this region and suggests that the sliteye shark's habitat may be broader than previously known.

About the Sliteye Shark

1. Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Loxodon macrorhinus
Family: Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)
Genus: Loxodon – the only species in this genus.

Distribution

Found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

Countries where it's found include:
- Asia & Oceania: India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan.
- Middle East & Africa: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar.

Unique Features

Named for its slit-like eyes, which help it see in:
- Low-light conditions (deep or murky waters)
- Clear, shallow coastal zones
Size: Small, reaching up to 95 cm in length.
Body Shape: Very slender with a long, narrow snout.
Eyes: Large, adapted to low light.
Mouth: Has small teeth with smooth edges and a noticeable tip; short furrows at mouth corners.
Dorsal Fin: Ridge between dorsal fins is absent or barely visible.
Coloration:
- Gray upper body, white underside.
- Fins have pale edges (almost transparent when alive).
- The first dorsal and tail fins have dark edges.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT)
- This means the species is at risk of becoming endangered in the near future.
- Threats include:
  - Overfishing (accidental catch in nets)
  - Habitat degradation
  - Pollution and climate change affecting coral reef ecosystems

Source: THE HINDU

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