Repetitive Aerial Gaping: A Thwart-Induced Behavior in White Sharks

Strong, Wesley R.

doi:10.1016/b978-012415031-7/50019-7

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…However, footage of a typical hunch display by a white shark directed toward a conspecific is presented in Video clip 9. On 27 June 2005, after having been thwarted by the bait handler in repeated attempts to consume the bait, a 3.5 m male white shark twice performed RAG displays (Figure 3c) completely consistent in form and context with those described and illustrated in Strong (1996).…”

Section: Shark Agonistic Displaysmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Confounding such anecdotal reports are recent studies showing that striped sharksuckers (Echineis naucrates) can induce behaviours that resemble agonistic displays in the blacktip shark, bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), Caribbean reef shark (Video clip 4), and possibly other shark species (Ritter 2002;Brunnschweiler 2006). Blurring the picture further are dissimilar shark behaviours reported under competitive contexts, including tail slapping (whip-like lashing of the tail at or near the surface, hitting or directing splashes toward a receiver; Figure 3a), which has been reported in sandtiger sharks (Carcharias taurus) and white sharks, and breaching (leaping completely from the water; Figure 3b) and repetitive aerial gaping (RAG: rhythmic, exaggerated opening and closing of the jaws above the surface, apparently as a displacement activity; Figure 3c), which have been reported in white sharks (Compagno et al 1989;Klimley et al 1996;Strong 1996).…”

mentioning

confidence: 73%

“…An agonistic behaviour consisting of rhythmic, exaggerated opening and closing of the jaws above the surface, apparently a displacement activity; presently known only in white sharks Strong (1996) Sign stimulus (SS) A stimulus adequate to activate a releasing mechanism, which sets in motion a speciesspecific action pattern; SS represents a complex object, such as a conspecific or diver, by a few characteristic features Bolhuis and Giraldeau (2005) Tail slapping An agonistic behaviour consisting of whip-like lashing of the tail at or near the surface, hitting or directing splashes toward a competitor; presently known only in white sharks and sandtiger sharks Compagno et al (1989); Klimley et al (1996) Tail popping A possible agonistic behaviour consisting of loud shotgun-like reports, generated by exaggerated tail beats during rapid withdrawal, often performed in conjunction with pectoral fin depression; presently known only in sandtiger sharks…”

Section: Present Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A review of shark agonistic displays: comparison of display features and implications for shark–human interactions

Martin

2007

Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology

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Agonistic displays in 23 species of sharks of six families are described and illustrated. These displays are reviewed in terms of ethological concepts and shark hydrodynamic models. Shark agonistic displays feature many common elements rendering them readily distinguishable from normal swimming and pseudodisplays caused by sharksucker irritation. Shark agonistic displays are most readily elicited by rapid, direct diver approach when food is absent and potential escape routes restricted. Such displays appear to be motivated by defence of self or the immediately surrounding space rather than defence of territory or resources. Costs and benefits of display versus attack in shark-shark and shark-diver contests are evaluated using payoff matrices and optimal strategies are identified. Shark-human interactions are modelled in terms of a system of nested critical approach distances. For divers faced with a displaying shark, responses which may decrease the likelihood of defensive attack are suggested. Recommendations for future work on shark agonistic behaviour are offered.

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Section: Shark Agonistic Displaysmentioning

confidence: 53%

mentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Present Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A review of shark agonistic displays: comparison of display features and implications for shark–human interactions

Martin

2007

Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology

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“…Differences in hydrodynamic performance between small-moderate and large C. carcharias may result in feeding niche partitioning that could reduce intraspecific conflict and predation. For example, agonistic aggression in white sharks was recorded by Strong (1996) whereby feeding by smaller C. carcharias may be thwarted by larger conspecifics. Although niche partitioning is largely theoretical at this point, support may be inferred from well-documented size-related shifts in diet in larger C. carcharias, attributed to such factors as decreasing agility with size and changes in tooth morphology (Tricas and McCosker 1984)-smaller sharks <2.5 m predating predominantly on fish, with marine mammals becoming more prominent in the diet of large sharks (Cliff et al 1989;Bruce 1992 and references therein).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caudal fin allometry in the white shark Carcharodon carcharias: implications for locomotory performance and ecology

Lingham‐Soliar

2005

Naturwissenschaften

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Allometric scaling analysis was employed to investigate the consequences of size evolution on hydrodynamic performance and ecology in the white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Discriminant analysis using the power equation y=ax(b) was negative for caudal fin span (S) versus fork length (FL) in C. carcharias. In contrast in two delphinid species, Delphinus capensis and Tursiops aduncus, the span of the flukes versus fork length rises in positive allometric fashion, and strong positive allometry of S versus [corrected] radicalA (area) was also recorded. The latter reflects a high lift/drag ratio. S versus radicalA in C. carcharias displays negative allometry and consequently a lower lift/drag ratio. A lower aspect ratio (AR) caudal fin in C. carcharias compared to that of the delphinids (mean 3.33 and 4.1, respectively) and other thunniform swimmers provides the potential for better maneuverability and acceleration. The liver in sharks is frequently associated with a buoyancy function and was found to be positively allometric in C. carcharias. The overall findings suggest that the negatively allometric caudal fin morphometrics in C. carcharias are unlikely to have deleterious evolutionary fitness consequences for predation. On the contrary, when considered in the context of positive liver allometry in C. carcharias it is hereby suggested that buoyancy may play a dominant role in larger white sharks in permitting slow swimming while minimizing energy demands needed to prevent sinking. In contrast hydrodynamic lift is considered more important in smaller white sharks. Larger caudal fin spans and higher lift/drag ratio in smaller C. carcharias indicate greater potential for prolonged, intermediate swimming speeds and for feeding predominantly on fast-moving fish, in contrast to slow-swimming search patterns of larger individuals for predominantly large mammalian prey. Such data may provide some answers to the lifestyle and widespread habitat capabilities of this still largely mysterious animal.

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“…At pinniped haul-out sites, white sharks often aggregate after another has made a kill and several discrete categories of social interactions have been de¢ned (Klimley et al, 1996a;Martin, 2003). Tail slap and breach have been proposed as kill-associated agonistic behaviours in white sharks (Klimley et al, 1996b) and repetitive aerial gaping (RAG) has been proposed as a socially nonprovocative way for white sharks thwarted in attempts to feed on bait to vent their frustration (Strong, 1996a). Based on trackings using a radio acoustic positioning (RAP) system, Klimley et al (2001) suggested that white sharks at An‹ o Nuevo Island, California, may 'listen in' on one another, possibly in readiness to exploit a pinniped kill made by any of them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

predatory behaviour of white sharks (carcharodon carcharias) at seal island, south africa

Martin

Hammerschlag²,

Collier³

et al. 2005

J. Mar. Biol. Ass.

170

184

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between 1997 and 2003, there were 2088 natural predations by white sharks (carcharodon carcharias) on cape fur seals (arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) and 121 strikes on towed seal-shaped decoys were documented from observation vessels at seal island, south africa. white sharks at seal island appear to selectively target lone, incoming young of the year cape fur seals at or near the surface. most attacks lasted <1 min and consisted of a single breach, with predatory success rate decreasing rapidly with increasing duration and number of subsequent breaches. a white shark predatory ethogram, composed of four phases and 20 behavioural units, is presented, including four varieties of initial strike and 11 subsequent behaviour units not previously defined in the literature. behaviour units scored from 210 predatory attacks revealed that, for both successful and unsuccessful attacks, polaris breach was the most commonly employed initial strike, while surface lunge was the most frequent second event, closely followed by lateral snap. examination of video footage, still images, and tooth impressions in decoys indicated that white sharks at seal island bite prey obliquely using their anterolateral teeth via a sudden lateral snap of the jaws and not perpendicularly with their anterior teeth, as previously supposed. analysis of white shark upper tooth morphology and spacing suggest the reversed intermediate teeth of white sharks occur at the strongest part of the jaw and produce the largest wound. white shark predatory success at seal island is greatest (55%) within one hour of sunrise and decreases rapidly with increasing ambient light; the sharks cease active predation on seals when success rate drops to ±40%; this is the first evidence of cessation of foraging at unproductive times by any predatory fish. at seal island, white shark predatory success is significantly lower at locations where frequency of predation is highest, suggesting that white sharks may launch suboptimal strikes in areas of greatest intraspecific competition; this is the first evidence of social influence on predation in any elasmobranch. idiosyncratic predatory behaviours and elevated success rates of known individual white sharks at seal island suggest some degree of trial-and-error learning. a hypothetical decision tree is proposed that models predatory behaviour of white sharks attacking cape fur seals at the surface.

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Repetitive Aerial Gaping: A Thwart-Induced Behavior in White Sharks

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

A review of shark agonistic displays: comparison of display features and implications for shark–human interactions

A review of shark agonistic displays: comparison of display features and implications for shark–human interactions

Caudal fin allometry in the white shark Carcharodon carcharias: implications for locomotory performance and ecology

predatory behaviour of white sharks (carcharodon carcharias) at seal island, south africa

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