3 ms·
Unfortunately it also seems like these sharks are plagued by parasites in their eyes: The shark is often infested by the copepod Ommatokoita elongata, a crusta
by keiferski 10mo ago
Unfortunately it also seems like these sharks are plagued by parasites in their eyes:
The shark is often infested by the copepod Ommatokoita elongata, a crustacean that attaches itself to the shark's eyes.[17] The copepod may display bioluminescence, thus attracting prey for the shark in a mutualistic relationship, but this hypothesis has not been verified.[18] These parasites can cause multiple forms of damage to the sharks' eyes, such as ulceration, mineralization, and edema of the cornea, leading to almost complete blindness.[11] This does not seem to reduce the life expectancy or predatory ability of Greenland sharks, due to their strong reliance on smell and hearing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_shark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_shark
- ricardo81 10mo agoAre they parasites though? It may be symbiotic, especially if the relationship between the species has spanned over many years. e.g. their presence may promote the production of rhodopsin. OTOH it may be natures way of allowing natural selection to take place in the sharks since their lifespan is so long. The wiki article seems to imply that's not the case though.
- oncallthrow 10mo ago> These parasites can cause multiple forms of damage to the sharks' eyes, such as ulceration, mineralization, and edema of the cornea, leading to almost complete blindness.
- xeetzer 10mo agoWould it be fucked up? Yes. But, that doesn't contradict a possible symbiotic relationship.
- ricardo81 10mo agoIt's one of those 'invisible hand' things where killing off older sharks may be advantageous in the long run. One of many possibilities. One idea behind that is that any environment has a carrying capacity, limitations on food etc. It may be the parasites favour older sharks etc etc.
- sowbug 10mo agoParasitism is in the eye of the beholder.
- bicx 10mo agoThis is what the article begins by addressing and questioning.