Sharks have more complex social lives than previously known, with a study showing that grey reef sharks in the Pacific Ocean cultivate surprising social networks and develop bonds that can endure for years.
The research focused on 41 reef sharks around the Palmyra Atoll, 1,600km southwest of Hawaii.
They formed social communities that remained rather stable over time, with some of the individuals remaining together during the four years of the study.
The researchers documented a daily pattern, with sharks spending mornings together in groups of sometimes almost 20, dispersing throughout the day and night, and reconvening the next morning.
“Sharks are incredible animals and still quite misunderstood,” Florida International University marine biologist Yannis Papastamatiou, lead author of the research published this week. — Reuters
Study reveals ‘secret’ social life of sharks
Image: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Sharks have more complex social lives than previously known, with a study showing that grey reef sharks in the Pacific Ocean cultivate surprising social networks and develop bonds that can endure for years.
The research focused on 41 reef sharks around the Palmyra Atoll, 1,600km southwest of Hawaii.
They formed social communities that remained rather stable over time, with some of the individuals remaining together during the four years of the study.
The researchers documented a daily pattern, with sharks spending mornings together in groups of sometimes almost 20, dispersing throughout the day and night, and reconvening the next morning.
“Sharks are incredible animals and still quite misunderstood,” Florida International University marine biologist Yannis Papastamatiou, lead author of the research published this week. — Reuters
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