The Behavior and Sensory Biology of Sharks

The efforts expended during the tenure of the above contracts have provided a significant increase in man's knowledge and insight about shark behavior and the acoustical biology of sharks. The contracts emphasized field studies; most facets of the program were conducted either over the coral re...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Myrberg,Arthur A , Jr
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ABSTRACTS
BAHAMA ISLANDS
BEHAVIOR
BIOACOUSTICS
Biological Oceanography
FLORIDA
SENSES(PHYSIOLOGY)
SHARKS
STRAITS
UNDERWATER ACOUSTICS
UNDERWATER SOUND
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Summary:The efforts expended during the tenure of the above contracts have provided a significant increase in man's knowledge and insight about shark behavior and the acoustical biology of sharks. The contracts emphasized field studies; most facets of the program were conducted either over the coral reefs of south Florida, over the deep waters of the Florida Straits, in the shallow waters of the Bahamas or within the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas. Extensive information was gained on the qualities of underwater sounds which result in rapid attraction of many species of sharks, both shallow water and epipelagic forms. In depth studies also examined qualities of acoustical signals which could aid in causing rapid withdrawal from the vicinity of an operating sound-source. Such withdrawal was proven under natural, as well as semi-natural conditions. The ethology of sharks was also studied subsequent to attraction, as well as under more controlled conditions in a semi-natural environment. Behavior activities were described for the silky shark, Carcharhinus falciformis, and the oceanic whitetip shark, C. maori. Clear species-typical action-patterns (MAP's) were also described for Sphyrna tiburo and its social organization was examined in detail. That organization apparently consisted of a dominance-hierarchial system in which females shied away from males and dominance was based on size.