Greenland shark, long‑lived and once thought blind, is now found to have functioning retinas, researchers say. Scientists from five universities discovered that the Arctic shark can detect light and contrast, overturning the myth that its eyes are useless. The species, which can live 250‑500 years, may have survived into the era of William Shakespeare and Galileo Galilei, according to radiocarbon estimates. The sharks were found in Greenland, the Arctic, the Caribbean and the Atlantic, suggesting a wider distribution than previously believed. Marine ecologist Jena Edwards, researcher Eric Ste Marie and expert Nigel Hussey highlighted that more study is needed to understand the shark’s biology and longevity.
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