Hum Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 BRISBANE, Australia ? Scientists have discovered the world's first hybrid sharks in Australian waters, with multiple generations of the new creature found along the nation's east coast. Scientists say the discovery of interbred sharks could signal the presence of new "tropical" sharks in waters as far south as Sydney, The Australian reported. "Wild hybrids are usually hard to find, so detecting hybrids and their offspring is extraordinary," said Jennifer Ovenden from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Fifty-seven of the marine animals were found along a 1,243-mile (2,000-km) stretch between northern New South Wales and far north Queensland, with Ovenden calling the discovery "unprecedented." The new shark is a hybrid of the genetically distinct Australian blacktip, whose range extends north from Brisbane, and the larger common blacktip found in southeastern coastal waters. The scientists say interbreeding between the two shark species is a sign the animals are adapting to climate change and they also warn that hybridization could make the sharks stronger. "Hybridization could enable the sharks to adapt to environmental change as the smaller Australian blacktip currently favors tropical waters in the north while the larger common blacktip is more abundant in sub-tropical and temperate waters along the south-eastern Australian coastline," Ovenden said. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 When I saw 'hybrid' in the title the thought of sharks running on E-85 crossed my mind :whistle: ;) Interesting - life adapts instead of dying off en masse. What a concept! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinggus Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Looks like a shark to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buttus Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 but do they have frickin laser beams attached to their heads?! Stoffel and MightyJordan 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knife Party Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 When I saw 'hybrid' in the title the thought of sharks running on E-85 crossed my mind :whistle: ;) Interesting - life adapts instead of dying off en masse. What a concept! take that creationists ! :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phouchg Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Perhaps Kiwis should start worrying of their sheep flocks, too :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_Lyons10 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 I saw this earlier. It's really quite the occurance. I'm kind of curious now how often stuff like this really happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Next : land sharks with feet ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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