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A gigantic Greenland shark may be the oldest living vertebrate in the world.

It has been claimed the shark could be an astonishing 512 years old - meaning it was alive 60 years before Shakespeare was born.

The Greenland shark, also known as the gurry shark, or grey shark, is a large shark of the family Somniosidae ("sleeper sharks").

It has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrate species, and is among the largest species of shark.

Staggeringly, one of a group of 28 analysed by scientists is believed to be alive some 500 years ago.

Experts used its length - 18 ft - and radiocarbon dating to determine its age as between 272 and 512 years old, according to a study in journal Science.

Professor Kim Praebel, who is leading the hunt, said the sharks were “living time capsules” that could help shed light on human impact on the oceans.

“The longest living vertebrate species on the planet has formed several populations in the Atlantic Ocean,” said Prof Praebel, who was speaking at the University of Exeter at a symposium organised by the Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

“This is important to know, so we can develop appropriate conservation actions for this important species.”

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