Megamouth Shark Nes
A recent article, published in the online scientific journal PLOS ONE, sheds light on our Megamouth Shark specimen! Take a look below or click to read the whole article.
Pectoral Fin of the Megamouth Shark: Skeletal and Muscular Systems, Skin Histology, and Functional Morphology
Abstract:
This is the first known report on the skeletal and muscular systems, and the skin histology, of the pectoral fin of the rare planktivorous megamouth shark Megachasma pelagios. The pectoral fin is characterized by three features: 1) a large number of segments in the radial cartilages; 2) highly elastic pectoral fin skin; and 3) a vertically-rotated hinge joint at the pectoral fin base. These features suggest that the pectoral fin of the megamouth shark is remarkably flexible and mobile, and that this flexibility and mobility enhance dynamic lift control, thus allowing for stable swimming at slow speeds. The flexibility and mobility of the megamouth shark pectoral fin contrasts with that of fast-swimming sharks, such as Isurus oxyrhinchus and Lamna ditropis, in which the pectoral fin is stiff and relatively immobile.
Publication: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0086205
*Note: Our own megamouth was NOT used for this study; the specimens for this study were accidentally caught by fisherman in Japan.
Happy researching!
Tiffany Saleh
Manager, Volunteer Programs
Natural History Museum of LA County
p 213.763.3525
tsaleh@nhm.org
www.nhm.org
Pectoral Fin of the Megamouth Shark: Skeletal and Muscular Systems, Skin Histology, and Functional Morphology
Abstract:
This is the first known report on the skeletal and muscular systems, and the skin histology, of the pectoral fin of the rare planktivorous megamouth shark Megachasma pelagios. The pectoral fin is characterized by three features: 1) a large number of segments in the radial cartilages; 2) highly elastic pectoral fin skin; and 3) a vertically-rotated hinge joint at the pectoral fin base. These features suggest that the pectoral fin of the megamouth shark is remarkably flexible and mobile, and that this flexibility and mobility enhance dynamic lift control, thus allowing for stable swimming at slow speeds. The flexibility and mobility of the megamouth shark pectoral fin contrasts with that of fast-swimming sharks, such as Isurus oxyrhinchus and Lamna ditropis, in which the pectoral fin is stiff and relatively immobile.
Publication: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0086205
*Note: Our own megamouth was NOT used for this study; the specimens for this study were accidentally caught by fisherman in Japan.
Happy researching!
Tiffany Saleh
Manager, Volunteer Programs
Natural History Museum of LA County
p 213.763.3525
tsaleh@nhm.org
www.nhm.org
Comments