Pregnant Megamouth Shark Discovered

December 7, 2023

In a historic moment for marine biology, a pregnant megamouth shark, a rare and elusive deepwater species, was discovered washed up on a beach in the Philippines last month. This is only the 60th ever seen and the first ever observed to be pregnant.

Key Points

Rare Species: The megamouth shark, specifically the Megachasma pelagios species, is a rare and deepwater species that is difficult to observe.
Ovoviviparous Reproduction: The groundbreaking discovery revealed that megamouth sharks are ovoviviparous, meaning their offspring develop in eggs inside the mother, leading to live births.
First-Ever Pregnant Megamouth: This marks the first-ever observation of a pregnant megamouth shark, providing valuable insights into the reproductive habits and physiology of this elusive species.
Discovery Details: The dead female megamouth was found on November 14 in Barangay Ipil, Dipaculao, Aurora Province, measuring an impressive 5.6 meters (18.4 feet) in length with a mouth estimated to be approximately 1.3 meters wide.
Necropsy Insights: Scientists conducted a necropsy on the mother and one of its pups, gaining valuable insights into the habits and physiology of megamouth sharks.
Conservation Importance: The discovery highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these rare creatures, especially as they face threats and limited sightings since their discovery in 1976.
Deep-Sea Habits: Megamouth sharks are believed to spend the majority of their time at depths of up to 4,600 meters (15,100 feet) and surface primarily at night, adding to their mysterious nature.