Bennett regarding the bioluminescence of Cookiecutter sharks. In this article, Widder used prior observations from the research of F.D. BioluminescenceĬookiecutter sharks are able to produce bioluminescence on their ventral side, the underside of an organism, due to tiny light producing organs called photophores (Widder, 1998). This article goes into great detail to determine if bioluminescence plays a role in the predatory success of Cookiecutter sharks. Bioluminescence is the ability for an organism to produce light. It has been noted that Cookiecutter sharks have another characteristic unique to them, bioluminescence. What the researchers are determining here is how a small, slow shark is able to successfully attack prey much larger and faster than it. The Cookiecutter shark has many unique morphologies that make it a successful predator. During the day the sharks will return back to the deep ocean in order to escape predators. Using vertical migration, these sharks will migrate to the surface at night in order to hunt prey. These sharks are extremely small, around 20 inches, and will swim together in schools (Widder, 1998). This liver is so large, it almost takes up the entire body cavity (Widder, 1998).Ĭookiecutter sharks can be found in the open ocean or nearshore in tropical waters. In order to conserve energy, the teeth will get replaced all at once this is unique to the Cookiecutter shark.Īlso unique to the Cookiecutter shark is its enlarged liver which offsets the heavy weight of its head and jaw region from the hard, calcified cartilage (Widder, 1998). Teeth on the upper row are small and thorn-like whereas the teeth on the bottom row are large, triangular, and flat (Widder, 1998). Large, whole squid has also been found in the stomachs of Cookiecutter sharks (Widder, 1998). Cetaceans are marine mammals that are whales, porpoises, and dolphins. The prey of Cookiecutter sharks typically consists of much larger and faster fish and cetaceans. The Cookiecutter shark takes bite sized, circular, chunks of flesh from its prey, leaving behind perfectly circular wounds on prey. The Cookiecutter shark, Isistius brasiliensis, gets its common name from the way the shark attacks its prey.
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