Scientists Unveil First-Ever Recorded Shark Sounds

Quick Summary

• Researchers recorded the frist known instance of sharks actively producing sound, specifically high-frequency clicks, from a species called rig shark (Mustelus lenticulatus), native to coastal waters around New Zealand.
• The sounds were observed when sharks were handled underwater during experiments studying their hearing capacities.
• The findings, published in Royal Society Open science, suggest that the clicking might be a startled reaction rather than an intentional dialog method.
• Sharks lack swim bladders (common in sound-producing fish) but may create clicks by rapidly snapping together their distinctive flattened teeth arranged in overlapping rows, as hypothesized and confirmed via 3D jaw reconstructions.
• Sounds produced fall mostly outside the sharks’ auditory range but can be heard by predators like toothed whales.Scientists compared rigs’ sound production to cod making noises potentially aimed at deterring predators like seals.
• Additional studies will aim to understand whether these sounds occur naturally or are specific responses to external stressors (like handling).
• Similar noise-making behavior has also been recorded among rays and skates-close relatives of sharks-indicating that sound production might be an ancient trait widespread among cartilaginous fish.

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