The vertebrate that was born before the invention of photography
In short: Deep in the Arctic's freezing shadows, a predator moves at a pace that defies human time. The Greenland shark can live for centuries, reaching ages that make it a living relic of history. By studying its eyes and genes, scientists are uncovering how it staves off death.
The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is the longest-living vertebrate known to science. While humans reach puberty in about a decade, these sharks may not reach sexual maturity until they are over 100 years old. They grow at an incredibly slow rate—sometimes less than one centimeter per year—and can eventually reach lengths of up to 7 meters (23 feet) and weights exceeding 1,025 kg (2,260 pounds). Some individuals are estimated to live for around 400 years, though radiocarbon dating of eye-lens nuclei has suggested some may even exceed 500 years.
Surviving for centuries requires overcoming the biological accumulation of age-related diseases like cancer. Researchers have identified specific DNA repair mechanisms that may allow these sharks to maintain healthy tissue over hundreds of years. A notable discovery involves their vision: despite living in murky, dark waters and often having parasites attached to their eyeballs, they do not suffer from typical retinal decline. Instead, they possess active proteins adapted for seeing blue light, suggesting a highly specialized evolutionary adaptation to the Arctic depths.
To unlock these secrets, scientists have turned to advanced genomic analysis. In 2021, researchers began assembling the first-ever complete genome of the Greenland shark using brain samples from sharks caught near Disko Island, Greenland. By comparing their genetic 'blueprints' to other long-lived species like the naked mole rat, scientists hope to find common evolutionary tricks for extreme longevity. While these findings won't grant humans 400-year lifespans, they provide a tantalizing map for understanding how life can be preserved against the clock.
These sharks are masters of the deep, found in environments ranging from the North Atlantic to the Arctic Ocean. They move slowly, often at rates under 3 km (1.9 miles) per hour, and can dive to depths of 2,200 meters (about 7,200 feet). Their existence serves as a natural laboratory for studying extreme longevity, offering a window into how life might persist in the most stable, frigid corners of our planet.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Shark That Can Live for 400 Years | Nature Mysteries
- Also: This shark can live 400 years. Its eyes barely seem to age
- Also: Greenland sharks can live for centuries. We're finally learning their genetic tricks.
- Also: How Old Is the Oldest Living Greenland Shark? | Life Span, Habitat, Metabolism, & Facts | Britannica
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