Thresher sharks whip their tails at high speed to slap and stun their prey. The tail-whipping movement differs dramatically from the side-to-side motion of swimming. Researchers at FAU and NOAA used micro-CT scanning and two-dimensional shape analysis techniques to help explain how these fish weaponize their tails.

Results suggest the shark’s vertebral anatomy and mineralized microstructure meet the demands of both fast swimming and tail-whipping. The shark’s vertebral column is fortified along its length and may work like a catapult, allowing the tail to launch over the head. “We think that anterior body vertebrae stabilize the thresher shark’s main body, while vertebrae closer to the tail support overhead tail-whips,” says researcher Marianne Porter.

• Marianne Porter
• Tricia Meredith