The discovery that the tubal tubar makes sounds calls into question the idea that this predator is completely silent.
Sharks have always been considered stealthy predators, sliding into the depths of the ocean without emitting any sound. The idea of a “silent killer” became . However, this reputation may not be deserved.
For the first time, scientists from New Zealand recorded sharks to produce sounds – some high clicks issued by (Mustelus lenticulatus).
The discovery, published in opens a new perspective on the communication of these animals and raises questions that have so far been unnoticed.
Scientists still do not know what the function of these sounds is, but the discovery opens a new path of research to better understand these enigmatic inhabitants of the oceans.
Sound in the aquatic world
Os – Group that includes Sharks, Brains and Fish-Serra – They were not known for having any specialized structure in sound production. It was, therefore, a big surprise when, in 2022, scientists discovered Two species of rays to be deliberate clicks. Later, three other species revealed similar behaviors, suggesting that the elasmines may have forms of communication so far unknown.
The scientists have sharpened their ears – literally and metaphorically.
There may be a whole area of communication between Elasmobranquiae That we just didn’t know it existed? To answer this question, Carolin Nieder and his team decided to study The cation-caught in the New Zealand estuaries.
A defense mechanism?
Scientists believe that Click clicks may be related to your diet. These sharks have ribs of ficks, suitable to crush hard prey and sounds can result from this movement.
However, there is another hypothesis: Sounds can be a defensive tactic. Marine shark predator mammals, such as leopard seals, can hear clicks in the same range of frequencies. This leads investigators to question whether the sounds could serve to discourage attacks.
The captivity tests showed that the sharks emitted clicks when they were first handled in the tank, but calmed a few minutes. This reaction suggests that sounds can be part of your response to stress or fear.
What else can be hidden in the depths?
This discovery challenges the idea that sharks are completely silent. In the future, scientists want to investigate other species to realize if this ability to produce sounds is more common than thought.
We may be about to discover a new chapter in shark communication – a sound world that has so far escaped us.
