Hybrid Sharks Discovered Along Australia Coast, Potentially Linked To Climate Change

They may not look very different, but a group of sharks discovered off the coast of eastern Australia are unlike any other in existence.

The sharks, which are a cross between the closely related common blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) and the Australian blacktip shark (Carcharhinus tilstoni), are the first hybrid sharks ever discovered. Researchers from the University of Queensland published their findings in the journal Conservation Genetics last month.

The Australian blacktip is smaller and found in warmer waters than the common blacktip. Researchers who made the discovery believe the hybrids may be an adaptation to climate change and changing sea temperatures, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

CNN reports that 57 hybrid sharks were discovered along a 2,000-kilometer (1,243-mile) stretch of coast from Queensland to New South Wales.

Lead researcher Jess Morgan said, "If [the Australian blacktip] hybridizes with the common species it can effectively shift its range further south into cooler waters, so the effect of this hybridizing is a range expansion. "It's enabled a species restricted to the tropics to move into temperate waters," reported the International Business Times.

In other shark discovery news, a fisherman in Mexico discovered an albino cyclops shark fetus earlier in 2011.

CLARIFICATION: The Australian Broadcasting Corporation states the hybrid sharks are "a potential sign the predators are adapting to cope with climate change." According to a press release from The University of Queensland, one of the researchers said, "Hybridisation could enable the sharks to adapt to environmental change."

Comments

[Ron Cabral]

08:22 PM on 01/06/2012

There must be other hybrid sharks now and in the past.

[Paul Stacey]

11:34 AM on 01/06/2012

Hilarious. The deniers are all over this one when there is no mention of climate change in the original article, and the 'amended' version merely states it as a possibility.

[sunsetter]

11:03 AM on 01/05/2012

In the clarification just added, isn't that what life has always done? But now we must state it and somehow attribute all climate change to man? Some people don;t seem to understand that the environment has always changed, and will continue to do so. To attribute climate change to man is the height of mans vanity.

[saskatoonie]

12:56 AM on 01/05/2012

Deny climate change all you like but I live in Saskatchewan Canada and the temperature has been a few degrees above and just below 0 celsius for the entire month of December. We have had four straight days of plus 3 or higher since the New Year and more of the same is forecast for the next two weeks at least. We have had hardly any snow and it is usually in the minus 30's with at least a foot of snow.....yes climate change is real!!!!

[Steve Albert]

12:26 AM on 01/05/2012

IT'S CALLED EVOLUTION ! .... it's been going on for awhile now .....

[Mark Helfgott]

11:34 PM on 01/04/2012

It's the end of the world!!!!

[vtmilitia]

11:29 PM on 01/04/2012

Just wait until that salt water hits the lithium batteries in their bellies.

[Shad Bowers]

11:25 PM on 01/04/2012

what kind of mpg's does it get???

[vtmilitia]

11:30 PM on 01/04/2012

Mullets per gulp?

[britishsteel]

11:17 PM on 01/04/2012

" Researchers who made the discovery BELIEVE the hybrids MAY be an adaptation to climate change and changing sea temperatures, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation."

What a crock of %^%%$%% this in a court of law would be called a leading statement. Using the power of suggestion to further an agenda . How low will they go ??????
I am sure as low as they have to , so they can tax the planet and reap the rewards from their alternative energy companies they all stand to profit from if the lie is eventually believed.

[steves1709]

12:11 AM on 01/05/2012

It's not a lie, it was said "may be", as in "some posters here MAY BE paranoid". I agree, it was worded stupidly. I doubt the sharks are choosing to adapt, perhaps local temperature, and yes, climate changes created an overlap in the range of the two species.

[britishsteel]

07:59 AM on 01/05/2012

Steve, global warming is the lie get used to it. climate changes always has, even before the industrial revoulution. You need to awaken and not fall victim to behavioral psychology being practiced and implemented on the masses through the techniques used by people like the author of this article. And anyone who relies on websites who's main mission is to debunk like snopes and whatsupwiththat INSTEAD of taking the time to do their own due dilligence falls victim to manipulation.

[Canaussie]

12:55 AM on 01/05/2012

This story is yet another being co-opted by global scammers. The original press release issued by University of Queensland made no mention of the terms "climate change" or "global warming". Those statements were literally made up by the ABC/AFP when they printed the story. Read all about it from people who actually check their facts http://wattsupwiththat.com/2012/01/04/australian-hybrid-fish-story-media-jumps-the-shark/

[EArizona]

10:34 PM on 01/04/2012

Will it make shark fin soup taste bitter?

[Daniel Wilcox]

10:25 PM on 01/04/2012

Hybridization occurs naturally among all species on the planet. The climate changing might be the cause but again it might not be the cause. Many ranges for these sharks overlap with others so it was bound to happen that there'd be some cross-breeding taking place. However, I'd have to say these are cool times we are living in and cool changes taking place.

[slowhanddean]

09:53 PM on 01/04/2012

Does this mean that Obama is a hybrid because his dad was from Kenya and his mama was from the USA. The "scientists" and global warming fanatics always cover themselves with the word "may".
I "may" hit the lotto one day and then again I "may" not.
I just read an article the other day where the so-called experts finally admitted after 20 years that thier predictions on hurricanes were wrong. Also Al Gore pronounce that after Katrina in 04 this would be how it was from now on. Not one hurricane has made onto the mainland since 04.

[prosymom]

10:23 PM on 01/04/2012

why do all of you people think it's cute to bring politics into EVERY conversation...grow up already!

[slowhanddean]

11:13 PM on 01/04/2012

Your kidding right? When the government is spending billions of taxpayer money on global warming you think it isn't political? You should grow up and realise every thing is about politics,power and money. You seem so gullible I could sell you sand in the desert.

[cy99]

11:37 PM on 01/04/2012

So called global warming / climate change is political. all the money in the world is not going to stop the earth from changing it always has and always will. where I sit writing this in Michigan at one time was under a thousand feet of ice NY city too, it started to melt and it has not stopped. At some point it will stop melting and start freezing again this has happened before according to scientist that have found forrests under the great lakes.

[PELAGIUS2]

10:33 PM on 01/04/2012

No.

[altohone]

09:51 PM on 01/04/2012

It is more likely related to overfishing reducing the breeding stock choices.

[sunsetter]

09:43 PM on 01/04/2012

Oh this is rich. THe author of the scientific article. Jessica Morgan, NEVER attributed it to global warming. That was inserted by an overzealous "journalist", one Dina Spector of the Business Insider.

On 1/4/2012 7:34 PM, Morgan, Jessica wrote:

Quote not correct – I have now stated numerous times that it is extremely unlikely that climate change caused the hybridization event – however, the hybrid-Australian blacktips are now being seen further south of their known range (Australain blacktips have a tropical distribution) in cooler waters suggesting that the hybrids may have a wider temperature tolerance than their parents (ie the hybrids may be better adapted to handle changing water temperatures). That long statement is being condensed and printed as your quote below.

Jess

[sunsetter]

09:35 PM on 01/04/2012

Al Gore was seen in close proximity to the gas cap of a prius, with an amorous glint in his eye. It was theorized he was in the process of creating an "alglorius" that extends the range even further (of the car!).

[zifr]

12:31 AM on 01/05/2012

Don't forget that Al Gore invented the internet too.