Dramatic films for animal rights activists and enthusiasts of these wonderful creatures come from the beach of Baia di Salerno (Tyrrhenian coast) where some swimmers were surprised by the discovery of a large shark with a characteristic reddish color and larger than that of a common blue shark :
Unfortunately, despite the interest of the coastal authorities, the animal died. The one photographed and filmed in Salerno is a specimen of Hexanchus griseus (commonly called ” head shark ” or ” cow shark ” (due to its stocky and massive appearance). It is one of the very few representatives of the genus Hexanchidae , of prehistoric origins. Many of the members of this family are extinct today , while the sharks that exist today closest genetically to the head shark are the Scyliorhinidae, the Squalidae, the Dalatiidae and the Somniosus microcephalus, as well as the other species with 6 and 7 gill slits.. However, many more species resembling this can be found among fossils than among living species. Some of these extinct species date back to 200 million years ago , and Hexanchus griseus has characteristics that are both primitive and typical of more modern sharks. It is a predator which, however, usually does not pose a threat to swimmers. It is probable that the animal could be killed by the propellers of some boats and therefore it is necessary to reflect on the irresponsible use ( speeding ) of motorboats and the like. The only really positive aspect of this episode is that the bathers, rather than making out of place and alarmist observations, tried to save the animal., unfortunately now already lifeless. In the drama for the loss of an important species, a thread of hope for an extra sensitivity towards the sea and its inhabitants. The videos disseminated on the web:
#shark #salern #capopiatto #squalocapopiatto #mare #cowshark
