Source: TH
Context: Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of deep-water dogfish shark, named Squalus hima, from Kerala along the Arabian Sea.
- The newly identified species was often misidentified with S. mitsukurii and S. lalannei, but detailed morphological, meristic, and morphometric analyses revealed it to be a distinct species.
- Squalus hima differs from other species by specific features like the number of precaudal vertebrae, total vertebrae, teeth count, trunk and head heights, fin structure, and fin colour.
- Species from the genus Squalus, along with Centrophorus, are exploited for their liver oil, which is rich in squalene, a substance in high demand for making high-end cosmetic and anticancer products.
