Greenland Shark – world’s longest-lived vertebrate known (Somniosus microcephalus)

Scientists used radiocarbon dating of eye lens nuclei to determine the age of Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus). The data revealed a life span of at least 272 years for the 28 female sharks with lengths from 81 to 502 cm. The largest shark (502 cm in total length) is estimated to be 392 ± 120 years old. The results suggest that the Greenland shark is the world’s longest-lived vertebrate known.

Credits
Video courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program
Research:
Eye lens radiocarbon reveals centuries of longevity in the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
Julius Nielsen, Rasmus B. Hedeholm, Jan Heinemeier, Peter G. Bushnell, Jørgen S. Christiansen, Jesper Olsen, Christopher Bronk Ramsey, Richard W. Brill, Malene Simon, Kirstine F. Steffensen, John F. Steffensen
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.aaf1703

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