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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

A new species of bioluminescent lanternshark [sci-news.com] has been discovered, and it has received a fun name to match its appearance:

A new species of bioluminescent shark has been described from eight specimens collected off the Pacific coast of Central America at depths ranging between 2,700 and 4,700 feet (836 – 1,443 m). A team of marine biologists, led by Dr Victoria Vásquez of Moss Landing Marine Laboratories [calstate.edu], chose the scientific name Etmopterus benchleyi for the new species. It also will be known as the Ninja Lanternshark. "The species is named in honor of Peter Benchley, author of Jaws [wikia.com] and subsequently an avid shark conservationist," Dr Vásquez and co-authors explained. "His legacy, the Benchley Awards [peterbenchleyoceanawards.org], recognizes outstanding achievements in ocean conservation."

"The suggested common name, the Ninja Lanternshark, refers to the uniform black coloration and reduced photophore [britannica.com] complement used as concealment in this species, somewhat reminiscent of the typical outfit and stealthy behavior of a Japanese ninja."

The Washington Post has an article defending the shark's goofy common name [washingtonpost.com].

Etmopterus benchleyi n. sp., a new lanternshark (Squaliformes: Etmopteridae) from the central eastern Pacific Ocean [oceansciencefoundation.org]

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