Natalie K. Tsao’s research while affiliated with The University of Calgary and other places

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Publications (2)


Growing out of the fins: Implications of isometric and allometric scaling of morphology relative to increasing mass in blue sharks (Prionace glauca)
  • Article

June 2024

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56 Reads

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3 Citations

Zoology

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Douglas A. Syme

Growing out of the fins: implications of isometric and allometric scaling of morphology relative to increasing mass in blue sharks ( Prionace glauca )
  • Preprint
  • File available

December 2023

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121 Reads

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1 Citation

Disproportional changes (i.e. allometry) in shark morphology have been attributed to shifts in function associated with niche shifts in life history, such as in habitat and diet. Photographs of blue sharks ( Prionace glauca , 26-145 kg) were used to analyze changes in parameters of body and fin morphology with increasing mass that are fundamental to swimming and feeding. We hypothesized that blue sharks would demonstrate proportional changes (i.e. isometry) in morphology with increasing mass because they do not undergo profound changes in prey and habitat type, but as a result, we predicted that blue sharks would grow into bodies with greater turning inertias and smaller frontal and surface areas, in addition to smaller spans and areas of the fins relative to mass. Many aspects of morphology increased with isometry. However, blue sharks demonstrated negative allometry in body density, whereas surface area, volume and roll inertia of the body, area, span and aspect ratio of both dorsal fins, span and aspect ratio of the ventral caudal fin, and span, length and area of the mouth increased with positive allometry. The dataset was divided in half based on mass to form two groups: smaller and larger sharks. Besides area of both dorsal fins, relative to mass, larger sharks had bodies with significantly greater turning inertia and smaller frontal and surface areas, in addition to fins with smaller spans and areas, compared to smaller sharks. Hence, isometric scaling does not necessarily imply functional similarity, and allometric scaling may sometimes be critical in maintaining, rather than shifting, function relative to mass. Both allometric and isometric changes in blue sharks are predicted to promote reduced costs of transport in migration, but conversely, decreased unsteady performance, such as in escape responses. These changes are likely beneficial for larger sharks that probably experience reductions in predation pressure.

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Citations (1)


... It is well known that sharks may experience ontogenetic changes as they grow (Sternes and Higham 2022, Gayford et al. 2023a, Seamone et al. 2024, but individuals of the same size and species can differ considerably in their body proportions due to sexual differences and individual variation (Bass 1973) with the latter partly related to environmental factors that could determine latitudinal gradients in body size. However, few studies have dealt with how latitudinal variations affect life history traits and body size in elasmobranch species (Tanaka and Mizue 1979, Templeman 1987, Parsons 1993, Taniuchi et al. 1993, Yamaguchi et al. 1997, 2000, Horie and Tanaka 2002, Lombardi-Carlson et al. 2003, Licandeo and Cerna 2007. ...

Reference:

The largest to the south? Assessment of the latitudinal variation in Mustelus schmitti (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhiniforms: Triakidae), an endemic coastal shark of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean
Growing out of the fins: Implications of isometric and allometric scaling of morphology relative to increasing mass in blue sharks (Prionace glauca)
  • Citing Article
  • June 2024

Zoology