Rare Megamouth Shark Sightings Confirmed in Brazil: New Research Unveils Details

The elusive megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios), one of the rarest shark species, has been sighted in Brazil, according to a recent study published on January 30th. Researchers from the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) confirmed three sightings, adding valuable data to the limited knowledge of this deep-sea creature. First discovered in 1976, the megamouth shark can grow up to 5 meters long and uses its large mouth to filter feed on plankton. The first appearance of the species occurred in 1995 off the coast of São Paulo, where a juvenile shark was captured. The second appearance was in Rio de Janeiro, where an adult was found stranded in Arraial do Cabo. The most recent finding occurred in 2018 when a shark was found floating off Parnaíba, Piauí. These sightings contribute significantly to understanding the distribution and behavior of this rare species in the South Atlantic.