AI Article Synopsis
- Researchers used implanted acoustic transceivers to study sand tiger sharks and found complex group behaviors similar to those seen in higher mammals.
- They identified fission-fusion dynamics, where group size and composition varied significantly during different behavioral phases like migration and summering.
- The study revealed distinct behavioral patterns between male and female sharks and highlighted the implications for conservation, as these dynamics can complicate population estimates and increase vulnerability to human impacts.
Article Abstract
Complex social networks and behaviors are difficult to observe for free-living marine species, especially those that move great distances. Using implanted acoustic transceivers to study the inter- and intraspecific interactions of sand tiger sharks Carcharias taurus, we observed group behavior that has historically been associated with higher order mammals. We found evidence strongly suggestive of fission-fusion behavior, or changes in group size and composition of sand tigers, related to five behavioral modes (summering, south migration, community bottleneck, dispersal, north migration). Our study shows sexually dimorphic behavior during migration, in addition to presenting evidence of a potential solitary phase for these typically gregarious sharks. Sand tigers spent up to 95 consecutive and 335 cumulative hours together, with the strongest relationships occurring between males. Species that exhibit fission-fusion group dynamics pose a particularly challenging issue for conservation and management because changes in group size and composition affect population estimates and amplify anthropogenic impacts.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5043177 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep34087 | DOI Listing |
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