Species of shark that was thought extinct rediscovered in a market of Kuwait

The Carcharhinus leiodon, species of shark that was thought extinct for several decades, was rediscovered in a market of Kuwait (see below), with several individuals dead and for sale. According to the international press, is the first time in 110 years that an individual of this species is found.

Scientists were alerted to the presence of a rare species of shark in the markets of Kuwait, having found 37 copies of the "mysterious shark", already dead and ready to be sold. Still, researchers have collected enough information to prepare a conservation plan, said the international press.

Before this episode, only two identical sharks had been identified. Although the species has been recorded only in 1985, the proof came from a specimen collected in the early twentieth century, by naturalist Wilhelm Hein, in Yemen.

Until 2008, this shark of 1902 was the only of the species Carcharhinus leiodon identified, even though scientists have sought other Middle Eastern waters.

During a meeting of Shark Conservation Society, in 2008, it was revealed a copper shark with "many similarities but different" from Carcharhinus leiodon. The analyses revealed later, proved that the fish was actually a Carcharhinus leiodon, but this possibility had been ruled out because the specimen was purchased in a market of Kuwait, 2,900 kilometres from the site where Huh discovered your, in Yemen.

Thus, scientists went through various markets in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, looking for other examples. After 47 varieties in the markets of Kuwait, they were able to study how these fish grow, how many children they have and what their habitat.

Still, the new shark remains rare, so a conservation plan to increase the population will now boot.

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