Unique orange shark discovered off Costa Rican coast

In August 2024, during a fishing expedition near Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica, anglers encountered a remarkable sight: a six-foot nurse shark displaying distinct characteristics not typical of its species. Unlike the usual muted brown tones of Nurse sharks found across the Atlantic and Caribbean, this particular shark exhibited bright orange skin and stark white eyes. Onlookers were astounded by this vibrant creature, which was promptly captured and released from a depth of around 120 feet. This encounter soon garnered significant attention from the scientific community due to the underlying genetic anomalies present in the shark. Scientists later confirmed that the unique pigmentation presented by the shark resulted from two rare genetic conditions known as xanthism and albinism. The combination of both conditions led researchers to describe the occurrence as a form of albinoxanthrochromism. Historically, such a phenomenon has only been documented once before, specifically in a Homelyn ray that was caught in the Irish Sea over a century ago in 1910. This rarity further highlights the unusual nature of the Costa Rican find when contrasted with typical nurse sharks that are usually characterized by their more subdued coloring, which allows them to seamlessly blend into their underwater ecosystems, primarily feeding on crustaceans and small fish. The lead researcher, Marioxis Macias from Brazil's Federal University of Rio Grande, emphasized that the condition of xanthism by itself doesn’t adversely affect health, which was observed in the adult specimen that had reached maturity despite its unusual coloration. The shark's ability to survive to adulthood raises intriguing questions among researchers about whether environmental factors, including the potential influence of inbreeding, oceanic stressors, or hormonal variations, may be triggering such genetic mutations. Notably, this exceptional shark stands out against its peers and poses critical inquiries about the implications of a potential evolution or genetic trend in marine life. With the enhanced visibility of such a colorful creature, it could have significant ramifications regarding how nurse sharks and similar species adapt to their environments. Future studies may focus on determining whether this unique instance represents an isolated event or if it marks the beginning of a broader genetic change among marine life in the region. Such investigations are essential not only for understanding the particularities of this vibrant shark but also for grasping the underlying biological and environmental factors that contribute to the evolution of marine species in response to shifting oceanic conditions.