In a “shocking” incident off the coast of the US state of Florida, a silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) regrew a section of its fin a year after suffering a traumatic injury, researchers have found. The findings about the shark’s so-called super-healing abilities were published in the Journal of Marine Sciences.&nbsp;

<h2>What happened?</h2>

In June 2022, scientists put a satellite tag on a shark’s dorsal fin to track its migration.&nbsp;

However, a month or so later, the author of the study Chelsea Black, a doctoral student and marine biologist at the University of Miami, received a call from a local diver who saw the shark’s tag along with around 20 per cent of the whole appendage missing and alerted the researchers.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="Shark fin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3f193a7d-b329-4544-beb5-b1f597de2464" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WION%20IMAGES%21%20-%202024-01-07T175337.687.png" />

<h4>(Photo credit:&nbsp;Josh Schellenberg)</h4>

It is speculated that the silky shark either got caught during fishing or one of the most plausible explanations is that humans deliberately removed the tag with a sharp object, according to the study. Black told LiveScience in an email that while the reasons remain unknown, she doubts that whoever did this intended to help the shark.

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She also said that the diver later sent her an image “showing the huge hole of where a tag had been”, adding that she had not expected to see the shark again, as the injury was extensive and given that there was no way to track the animal.&nbsp;

But to her great surprise, the shark showed up 332 days later looking remarkably put together. “It was shocking!” the study author told LiveScience. She added, “My first reaction was relief that the shark was still alive, as that was a traumatic wound that could affect his swimming ability or create a significant infection.”

<h2>‘Fin repair’</h2>

The study noted that while fin repair in sharks is rather common it is rarely full. In this case, the silky shark, according to the study, regained about 87 per cent of its fin back and was seen swimming normally.&nbsp;

<img alt="Fixed fin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3af029fc-8528-439f-8b15-79c0d4ca8025" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WION%20IMAGES%21%20-%202024-01-07T175409.156.png" />

(Photo credit:&nbsp;Josh Schellenberg)

But what makes this incident notable is the fact that this is the first time researchers have observed a silky shark regrowing its dorsal fin and only the second recorded case of dorsal fin regeneration in any shark, according to the study.&nbsp;

When a shark with an oddly shaped dorsal fin was photographed by divers in the same area images were sent to Black for identification and she later confirmed by tag ID number that this was the same animal which was injured a year earlier.&nbsp;

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The researchers, however, cannot determine if this remarkable healing process is due to new tissue, scar tissue growth, or fusion of the wound bordering parts but noted that the new fin has a slightly different colouring.&nbsp;

According to the marine biologist, the new fin could be mostly scar tissue but cannot say it with absolute certainty as nobody has ever dissected a regenerated shark fin.&nbsp;

“While the incident of injury remains disheartening, the outcome has provided an extraordinary opportunity to investigate the healing and regenerative abilities of silky sharks following both natural and human-induced injury,” Black wrote.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a “shocking” incident off the coast of the US state of Florida, a silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) regrew a section of its fin a year after suffering a traumatic injury, researchers have found.

In a “shocking” incident off the coast of the US state of Florida, a silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) regrew a section of its fin a year after suffering a traumatic injury, researchers have found. The findings about the shark’s so-called super-healing abilities were published in the Journal of Marine Sciences. What happened? In June 2022, scientists put a satellite tag on a shark’s dorsal fin to track its migration. However, a month or so later, the author of the study Chelsea Black, a doctoral student and marine biologist at the University of Miami, received a call from a local diver who saw the shark’s tag along with around 20 per cent of the whole appendage missing and alerted the researchers. (Photo credit: Josh Schellenberg) It is speculated that the silky shark either got caught during fishing or one of the most plausible explanations is that humans deliberately removed the tag with a sharp object, according to the study. Black told LiveScience in an email that while the reasons remain unknown, she doubts that whoever did this intended to help the shark. ALSO READ | Unusually large, alligator-like new species found in Mexico She also said that the diver later sent her an image “showing the huge hole of where a tag had been”, adding that she had not expected to see the shark again, as the injury was extensive and given that there was no way to track the animal. But to her great surprise, the shark showed up 332 days later looking remarkably put together. “It was shocking!” the study author told LiveScience. She added, “My first reaction was relief that the shark was still alive, as that was a traumatic wound that could affect his swimming ability or create a significant infection.” ‘Fin repair’ The study noted that while fin repair in sharks is rather common it is rarely full. In this case, the silky shark, according to the study, regained about 87 per cent of its fin back and was seen swimming normally. (Photo credit: Josh Schellenberg) But what makes this incident notable is the fact that this is the first time researchers have observed a silky shark regrowing its dorsal fin and only the second recorded case of dorsal fin regeneration in any shark, according to the study. When a shark with an oddly shaped dorsal fin was photographed by divers in the same area images were sent to Black for identification and she later confirmed by tag ID number that this was the same animal which was injured a year earlier. ALSO READ | Scientists might finally know why Earth's inner core wobbles every 8.5 years The researchers, however, cannot determine if this remarkable healing process is due to new tissue, scar tissue growth, or fusion of the wound bordering parts but noted that the new fin has a slightly different colouring. According to the marine biologist, the new fin could be mostly scar tissue but cannot say it with absolute certainty as nobody has ever dissected a regenerated shark fin. “While the incident of injury remains disheartening, the outcome has provided an extraordinary opportunity to investigate the healing and regenerative abilities of silky sharks following both natural and human-induced injury,” Black wrote. (With inputs from agencies)

In shocking first, shark’s fin regenerates less than a year after being ‘torn by humans’

As climate activists raise concerns about the disappearing greens from the face of the Earth, research has revealed that an area of forest the size of France has been regrown over the years.

As per research conducted by Trillion Trees led by WWF, nearly 59 million hectares of forests have regrown since the year 2000 all over the world.

This study was commissioned in 2018 and used satellite imaging data and also conducted on-ground surveys in dozens of countries. Through this, the researchers identified areas such as the Atlantic forest in Brazil where greens gave regrown the size of the Netherlands.

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"The&nbsp;Mata Atlântica, or Atlantic Forest, along the coast of South America was once one of the natural wonders of the world. Stretching from Northern Brazil to Argentina, it occupied more than a million square kilometres, harbouring an unparalleled variety of life," the study read.

The boreal forests of Mongolia have also seen regrowth of nearly 1.2mn hectares of forest. This has been possible solely due to the Mongolian government and a group of conservationists. Similarly, central Africa and Canada have also seen the regrowth of forests.

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Researchers are hoping this research will help experts "understand the local parameters that may have allowed or encouraged natural regeneration," stated the report.

While the regrowth has come as a good sign, the researchers have warned that the Earth is still losing forests "at a terrifying rate".

A few previous researchers have warned that due to deforestation, the world is losing at least forest area as big as the UK every year, which is mainly to fulfil the demand for timber and for agricultural activities.

"The science is clear – if we are to avoid dangerous climate change and turn around the loss of nature, we must both halt deforestation and restore natural forests," said William Baldwin-Cantello, director of nature-based solutions at WWF. "We've known for a long time that natural forest regeneration is often cheaper, richer in carbon and better for biodiversity than actively planted forests, and this research tells us where and why regeneration is happening, and how we can recreate those conditions elsewhere."

However, he also warned that regeneration cannot be taken for granted as deforestation is still one of the biggest problems the Earth faces.

As climate activists raise concerns about the disappearing greens from the face of the Earth, research has revealed that an area of forest the size of France has been regrown over the years.

As climate activists raise concerns about the disappearing greens from the face of the Earth, research has revealed that an area of forest the size of France has been regrown over the years. As per research conducted by Trillion Trees led by WWF, nearly 59 million hectares of forests have regrown since the year 2000 all over the world. This study was commissioned in 2018 and used satellite imaging data and also conducted on-ground surveys in dozens of countries. Through this, the researchers identified areas such as the Atlantic forest in Brazil where greens gave regrown the size of the Netherlands. Also read | Marine animals thought extinct for 273 million years found in Pacific Ocean! "The Mata Atlântica, or Atlantic Forest, along the coast of South America was once one of the natural wonders of the world. Stretching from Northern Brazil to Argentina, it occupied more than a million square kilometres, harbouring an unparalleled variety of life," the study read. The boreal forests of Mongolia have also seen regrowth of nearly 1.2mn hectares of forest. This has been possible solely due to the Mongolian government and a group of conservationists. Similarly, central Africa and Canada have also seen the regrowth of forests. Also read | Deforestation of Brazilian Amazon hits record in April Researchers are hoping this research will help experts "understand the local parameters that may have allowed or encouraged natural regeneration," stated the report. While the regrowth has come as a good sign, the researchers have warned that the Earth is still losing forests "at a terrifying rate". A few previous researchers have warned that due to deforestation, the world is losing at least forest area as big as the UK every year, which is mainly to fulfil the demand for timber and for agricultural activities. "The science is clear – if we are to avoid dangerous climate change and turn around the loss of nature, we must both halt deforestation and restore natural forests," said William Baldwin-Cantello, director of nature-based solutions at WWF. "We've known for a long time that natural forest regeneration is often cheaper, richer in carbon and better for biodiversity than actively planted forests, and this research tells us where and why regeneration is happening, and how we can recreate those conditions elsewhere." However, he also warned that regeneration cannot be taken for granted as deforestation is still one of the biggest problems the Earth faces.

France-sized forest regrown over 20 years: Study

Researchers have discovered that two species of Japanese sea slugs can regrow hearts and whole new bodies even after removing their own heads.

Japanese sea slugs regrow new hearts and bodies

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