On the ABC3 news. Until recently, the oldest known vertebrate was the bowhead whale, age 211.

Just now, a Greenland shark has been found with an estimated age of a massive 390 years old. To be less precise 392+-120 years old from radiocarbon dating.

Abstract from Science Magazine at http://science.sciencemag.org/content/353/6300/702
Article from BBC news
Http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37047168

the Greenland shark is a very, very soft shark – it has no hard body parts where growth layers are deposited.
“The Greenland shark’s eye lens is composed of a specialised material – and it contains proteins that are metabolically inert,” explained Mr Neilson.
“Which means after the proteins have been synthesised in the body, they are not renewed any more. So we can isolate the tissue that formed when the shark was a pup, and do radiocarbon dating.”
The team looked at 28 sharks, most of which had died after being caught in fishing nets as by-catch.
Using this technique, they established that the largest shark – a 5m-long female – was extremely ancient.

mollwollfumble said:

On the ABC3 news. Until recently, the oldest known vertebrate was the bowhead whale, age 211.

Just now, a Greenland shark has been found with an estimated age of a massive 390 years old. To be less precise 392+-120 years old from radiocarbon dating.

Abstract from Science Magazine at http://science.sciencemag.org/content/353/6300/702
Article from BBC news
Http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37047168

the Greenland shark is a very, very soft shark – it has no hard body parts where growth layers are deposited.
“The Greenland shark’s eye lens is composed of a specialised material – and it contains proteins that are metabolically inert,” explained Mr Neilson.
“Which means after the proteins have been synthesised in the body, they are not renewed any more. So we can isolate the tissue that formed when the shark was a pup, and do radiocarbon dating.”
The team looked at 28 sharks, most of which had died after being caught in fishing nets as by-catch.
Using this technique, they established that the largest shark – a 5m-long female – was extremely ancient.

Impressive.

And just imagine hiw much longer it feels to the shark, down there in the dark.

Most of the deep sea creatures seem long lived, might be a side effect of a low nutrient lifestyle.

AwesomeO said:

And just imagine hiw much longer it feels to the shark, down there in the dark.

Most of the deep sea creatures seem long lived, might be a side effect of a low nutrient lifestyle.

less predators and populations.

So much for veganism eh

dv said:

So much for veganism eh

I don’t see the relevance.

roughbarked said:

dv said:

So much for veganism eh

I don’t see the relevance.

Sharks are carnivores

dv said:

roughbarked said:

dv said:

So much for veganism eh

I don’t see the relevance.

Sharks are carnivores

So? They don’t eat vegetables either.