A 400-year-old shark? Greenland shark could be Earth's longest-lived vertebrate

[Eugene]

Source: Los Angeles Times

A 400-year-old shark? Greenland shark could be Earth's longest-lived vertebrate

By Deborah Netburn
AUGUST 11, 2016, 11:05 AM

In the frigid waters of the sub-Arctic ocean lurks a mysterious and slow-moving beast known as the Greenland shark. It’s a massive animal that can grow up to 20 feet in length. Now, new research suggests it may have a massive lifespan as well.

According to a paper published Thursday in Science, the Greenland shark could live for well over 250 years, making it the longest-living known vertebrate on Earth.

“I am 95% certain that the oldest of these sharks is between 272 and 512 years old,” said lead author Julius Nielsen, a marine biologist at the University of Copenhagen. “That’s a big range, but even the age estimate of at least 272 years makes it the oldest vertebrate animal in the world.”

The oldest animal record holder is a clam called Ming that was dredged up from the ocean floor off the coast of Iceland. It was said to be 507 years old when it died in 2006, but there are other animals that have been known to live for more than a century.

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Read more: http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-greenland-shark-20160810-snap-story.html

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Related: Eye lens radiocarbon reveals centuries of longevity in the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) (Science)

[lostnfound]

1. "May have been" not could be, because it's dead now, right?

The article is weird that it is written as if it IS the oldest living creature but actually it seems to be measurements taken on a dead shark, right?
Still an interesting find.

[Shankapotomus]

2. What are those sharks drinking?

I want some!

[Judi Lynn]

3. Large enough, as well! Wow. n/t