Sharkophile

The latest shark news, photos and videos

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Prehistoric sharks could take down flying dinosaurs

Researchers from the University of Southern California made a surprising find while examining the fossil collection  at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. One of the fossil specimens of a pterosaur was found to have the tooth, approximately one inch long, of a large shark wedged between the vertebra of its neck, providing a rare glimpse of wildlife […]

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Shark watchers may have negative effects on coral reefs

As further proof of why we as humans can’t have nice things, a new study found that a massive increase in ecotourism revolving around whale sharks is having disastrous effects on the surrounding ecosystem. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong, the University of Guam, and the Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines found that […]

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Australia’s shark population declined dramatically in last 50 years

After reconstructing data from Queensland Shark Control Program over the last five decades, a new study by researchers from University of Queensland and Griffith University found that the population of large apex predators has decreased as much as 90 percent during that time. Researchers analyzed data from the QSCP program to create an historical baseline so […]

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Did cosmic radiation kill off the megalodon?

Cosmic energy from the collapsing star may have been responsible for the mass extinction that occurred on Earth during the Pliocene era some 2.6 million years ago, according to a new study published in the journal Astrobiology. The massive amounts of radiation, which is believed to have travelled 150 light years, pummeled the Earth’s  atmosphere, touching […]

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New shark species discovered in Hawaii

Say hello to Squalus hawaiiensis, also known as the Hawaiian spurdog. This new species of deep-water dogfish shark was discovered by a team led by Florida Tech marine biologist Toby Daly-Engel. The findings were published in this month’s ZooKeys. The research team, which also included scientist Amber Koch, University of Hawaii marine biologist James M. Anderson, State […]

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Great White Katharine returns to Florida waters

After going off the grid for nearly nine months, Katharine the great white shark is making up for lost time. The 14-foot female’s satellite tracking device has pinged in three times in the last week roughly 70 miles off the coast of Melbourne. Earlier this year, OCEARCH researchers feared that the battery in Katharine’s satellite tag, […]

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Rare footage of deepwater shark eggs in Puerto Rico

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s remote-operated deep sea research vessel captured images of a live shark embryo inside an egg case west of Puerto Rico’s Desecheo Island. The 22-day mission by by the NOAA’s ROV Deep Discoverer explored waters around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the deepest dives ever recorded in […]

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Mathematical theory explains shark scale patterns

Scientists from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Animal and Plant Sciences found that Alan Turing’s reaction-diffusion theory can unlock the secrets for the growth patterns of shark scales. The findings help explain how a shark’s skins has uniquely evolved to minimize drag while swimming. Scientists believe these pattern may help to design new synthetic materials to […]

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OCEARCH concludes Nova Scotia expedition

OCEARCH’s latest expedition to has resulted in the discovery of a white shark hotspot off Nova Scotia’s South Shore. The 21-day expedition by OCEARCH and its joint team of U.S. and Canadian scientists resulted in the collection of nearly 300 biological samples samples. Six great white sharks were also affixed with satellite tags which are […]