Scientists have discovered two new species of saw-sharks

Scientists have found two rare sharks with a saw-blade in the Indian Ocean.

On March 18, PLOS ONE magazine reported that two rare saw-sharks were discovered in the western Indian Ocean near Madagascar and Zanzibar. They are named Pliotrema kajae and Pliotrema annae, respectively.

These special fish have 6 gill slots on each cheek. Whereas conventional saw shark sharks have only 5 gill slots.

Two rare species of saw blade shark have been found living in the western Indian Ocean.(Photo: CNET).

Shark researcher and lead researcher Simon Weigmann described the discovery of these two new species as "very simply surprising."

"Knowledge of saw blade sharks in the western Indian Ocean is generally still scarce. But considering the appropriate living depth of the two new fish species, they may be affected by fishing activities. People, " Weigmann said.

Scientists are concerned that overfishing will threaten the shark's habitat.

Saw shark sharks use their unique nose as a useful hunting weapon.(Photo: Genk).

The reason this particular breed is called saw-sharks is because its identifiable feature is its long, pointed nose just like a real saw. When hunting, saw blades will use the nose as a weapon.

"The fast and flexible movement of the nose helps saw blades to cut their prey into small pieces so they can be eaten more easily," a spokesman for the University of Newcastle shared knowledge with CNET.

Previously, only one species of 6 gill-saw sharks was found to be Pliotrema warreni. However, their X-ray images showed the differences and divided them into 3 species.

X-ray image of jawbone of 3 species of shark with 6 gill saws.P. kajae (upper), P. annae (middle) and P. warreni (lower).(Photo: CNET).

"This finding proves the importance of the Indian Ocean to the ecosystem of sharks and rays. It also shows that the ocean is still very much unexplored , " Andrew said. Temple, Weigmann's partner confirmed.