Drumroll: the Greenland shark is the oldest vertebrate on the planet – Hipertextual

These fascinating marine animals have been placed at the head of the oldest vertebrates that inhabit the planet; of known so far, of course. Greenland sharks ( Somniosus microcephalus ) can live 400 years ; at least I published Science after a recent investigation of these individuals.

Since the early nineteenth century these animals have captivated scientists. In a study in the thirties nearly 400 shark species, being monitored it was observed that growth was very slow were recorded: ton only 1 centimeter per year . Given their size, as they reach measuring 6 and 7 meters long, then it was long-lived animals deduced, although no idea how many years he could live.

To calculate the years this species can live a growth curve in which the age and size of sharks related was performed. As a starting point the size of newborn sharks are taken, which are approximately 42 cm long . On the other hand, they used an unusual technique: they searched high amounts of carbon-14, a heavy isotope left by nuclear bomb tests in the mid-1950s

The researchers were able to obtain items over the age of sea creatures to find traces of atomic radiation in their tissues. Thus, the researchers correlated with radiocarbon dates shark length to calculate the age of sharks. The oldest was 392 ± 120 years; thus becoming the longest-living vertebrates known , leaving behind the bowhead whale ( bowhead whale ) and Galapagos ( Complex Galápagos tortoise ) turtles.

These sharks inhabit the waters of the Atlantic ocean and the Arctic ocean, around Greenland and Iceland ; although individuals have also been found in southern waters as in the Argentine Sea and the Atlantic. They can live in depths of up to 2,500 meters and their diet is based mainly on fish, squid, but also eat marine mammals such as seals and walruses.

Due to its very slow growth, the maturity of these animals would be happening around 156 years ; until then these sharks would be ready to breed. On the other hand, it is estimated that the nature of their longevity could result from living in cold water because due to this condition, growth and biochemical activity slows down; you can also activate anti-aging genes that helps an animal to improve protein splitting, get rid of molecules that damage DNA and even fight infections more effectively; at least that it found in previous studies with other animal inhabitants of cold water.

There is still much to know about these fascinating animals as well as the many that inhabit the oceans. Remember that has only been explored 5% of the oceans, so it is possible that the longest animal on the planet is still unknown.