Social Network Analysis Reveals Potential Fission-Fusion Behavior in a Shark.

ABSTRACT: Complex social networks and behaviors are difficult to observe for free-living marine species, especially those that move great distances. Using implanted acoustic transceivers to study the inter- and intraspecific interactions of sand tiger sharks Carcharias taurus, we observed group behavior that has historically been associated with higher order mammals. We found evidence strongly suggestive of fission-fusion behavior, or changes in group size and composition of sand tigers, related to five behavioral modes (summering, south migration, community bottleneck, dispersal, north migration). Our study shows sexually dimorphic behavior during migration, in addition to presenting evidence of a potential solitary phase for these typically gregarious sharks. Sand tigers spent up to 95 consecutive

SUBMITTER: Haulsee DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5043177 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature