Direct measurement of cruising and burst swimming speeds of the shortfin mako shark ( Isurus oxyrinchus ) with estimates of field metabolic rate

Abstract

The shortfin mako shark is a large‐bodied pursuit predator thought to be capable of the highest swimming speeds of any elasmobranch and potentially one of the highest energetic demands of any marine fish. Nonetheless, few direct speed measurements have been reported for this species. Here, animal‐borne bio‐loggers attached to two mako sharks were used to provide direct measurements of swimming speeds, kinematics and thermal physiology. Mean sustained (cruising) speed was 0.90 m s −1 (±0.07 s.d. ) with a mean tail‐beat frequency (TBF) of 0.51 Hz (±0.16 s.d. ). The maximum burst speed recorded was 5.02 m s −1 (TBF max = 3.65 Hz) from a 2 m long female. Burst swimming was sustained for 14 s (mean speed = 2.38 m s −1 ), leading to a 0.24°C increase in white muscle temperature in the 12.5 min after the burst. Routine field metabolic rate was estimated at 185.2 mg O 2 kg −1 h −1 (at 18°C ambient temperature). Gliding behaviour (zero TBF) was more frequently observed after periods of high activity, especially after capture when internal (white muscle) temperature approached 21°C (ambient temperature: 18.3°C), indicating gliding probably functions as an energy recovery mechanism and limits further metabolic heat production. The results show shortfin mako sharks generally cruise at speeds similar to other endothermic fish – but faster than ectothermic sharks – with the maximum recorded burst speed being among the highest so far directly measured among sharks, tunas and billfishes. This newly recorded high‐oxygen‐demand performance of mako sharks suggests it may be particularly vulnerable to habitat loss due to climate‐driven ocean deoxygenation.

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