Overview

• Researchers describe the adult shark as exhibiting albino-xanthochromism, combining intense yellow‑orange pigmentation with white eyes.
• The animal was photographed near Tortuguero National Park in August 2024 by local fishermen with the Parismina Domus Dei tour operation, then released.
• The study characterizes the finding as the first recorded case of xanthism in this species from the Caribbean.
• The shark was estimated at about 200 cm in total length, suggesting the condition did not prevent it from reaching maturity.
• Publication of the findings in the Marine Biodiversity journal has renewed circulation of the original images and prompted calls for genetic and ecological follow-up to investigate causes and prevalence.