US EditionAngler reels in first documented orange shark off Costa Rica
The nurse shark's unique orange color results from rare genetic mutations xanthism and albinism, marking a first in the Caribbean and advancing marine genetic research.
- In August 2024, Garvin Watson, a 43-year-old fishing guide and hotel proprietor, caught a striking 6-foot 6-inch bright orange nurse shark while fishing near Costa Rica’s Tortuguero area.
- The shark's unusual color stemmed from xanthism, a rare pigmentation condition causing yellow or gold tones, combined with albinism indicated by its white eyes, according to scientists.
- Watson and his crew never considered capturing the nurse shark; instead, he gently kissed its rough back before releasing it, while photographs of the shark quickly spread online and drew interest from both scientists and the public.
- Researchers Marioxis Macas-Cuyare, Gilberto Rafael Borges Guzmán, and Daniel Arauz-Naranjo published a report this month confirming this as the first documented total xanthism case in the species and the Caribbean Sea.
- The discovery highlights rare genetic variations in marine life and has prompted plans by biologists to study the site to learn if environmental factors relate to this pigmentation anomaly.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Fisherman lands ORANGE-coloured shark
A fisherman off the coast of Costa Rica has reeled in a stunning and highly unusual catch – a bright orange nurse shark, believed to be the first documented case of total xanthism in its species and the first such record in the Caribbean Sea. The two-metre long shark, caught by Garvin Watson near Tortuguero National Park, immediately drew attention for its vivid, pumpkin-orange coloration – a dramatic contrast to the typical greyish-brown tones …
Went to Costa Rica a year ago, now a scientific research has a hypothesis on how it's possible.
“Government Fears Orange Shark Sparks Tourism Chaos”: Caribbean Nations Clash Over Conservation and Economic Impact - Sustainability Times
IN A NUTSHELL 🦈 A nurse shark with a bright orange hue was found off Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. 🔬 The shark exhibits xanthism, a rare genetic condition affecting pigmentation. 🌊 This discovery challenges assumptions about marine pigmentation and survival. 📚 Researchers are exploring genetic and environmental factors influencing this rare anomaly. A recent discovery [...]
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