Metabolism and swimming efficiency of the bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo

Routine metabolic rates of bonnethead sharks. Sphyrna tiburo , of 95 to 4650 g, ranged from 70.4 to 15.0 kcal/kg/d. Over the size range 34 to 95 cm total length, shark swimming-velocities varied from about 29 to 67 cm/s. Swimming velocities predicted using Weih's cost-optimization model were si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine biology 1990-01, Vol.104 (3), p.363-367
Main Author: PARSONS, G. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Carcharhiniformes
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Sphyrna tiburo
Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports
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Summary:Routine metabolic rates of bonnethead sharks. Sphyrna tiburo , of 95 to 4650 g, ranged from 70.4 to 15.0 kcal/kg/d. Over the size range 34 to 95 cm total length, shark swimming-velocities varied from about 29 to 67 cm/s. Swimming velocities predicted using Weih's cost-optimization model were similar to observed velocities. The total cost of transport (the energetic cost of transporting 1 unit of body mass 1 km distance) for 1 to 8 kg sharks varied from 0.67 to 0.40 cal/g/km. The "energetic range" (an estimation of the distance traveled after a 25% reduction in body weight) indicates that a 1 kg bonnethead shark would travel 500 km distance in 17 d before displaying a 25% reduction in weight. An 8 kg individual would travel 830 km in 23 d.
ISSN:0025-3162
1432-1793
DOI:10.1007/BF01314338