The Dorsal Fin

The Daily Star (a UK "news" source) has really outdone itself with its story, Killer on a Beach, a report about a thresher shark washing ashore at Hayle Beach in Cornwall. The story is so over-the-top with ridiculous sensationalism that it would be funny, if it weren’t so pathetic. The "Killer on a Beach," title almost seems tame compared to the secondary title, "A SHARK that can decapitate a human with the lash of its tail has been found on a British beach." While there is an unconfirmed anecdotal account of a fisherman being decapitated by a breaching thresher, the source of this story probably also knew a kid in elementary school who ate Pop Rocks, while drinking Coke, and exploded. I suppose it’s possible to be decapitated by the tail of a thresher. If somebody took the time and effort they could probably decapitate a human with that plastic knife that comes with the Play-Doh Fun Factory (perhaps, Hasbro should add that as a warning). The Daily Star goes on to describe the thresher’s tail (caudal fin) as "razor-sharp." I’d invite the Daily Star Staff reporter to try to shave with the tail of a thresher. The article also notes that the thresher is a "close relative" of the great white shark, and it even goes so far as to include a photo of a great white shark merely swimming along, with the caption of "Lethal shark on the rampage."

Congratulations, The Daily Star, you are truly special!

Note: It is generally accepted that the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) is not considered to be aggressive toward or dangerous to humans, although divers are cautioned to treat thresher sharks with respect (this is a general rule with all aquatic life). Injuries (non-decapitating ones) to divers have been documented as a result of being struck by the thresher’s whip-like tail, which can occur if the shark is provoked.

According to the Discovery News article, Prehistoric Shark Nursery Spawned Giants, paleontologists have discovered what is believed to be a breeding ground for the prehistoric shark known as C. megalodon (you can argue amongst yourselves about whether it is Carcharodon megalodon or Charcharocles megalodon). According to the article, researchers have found a "stash" of C. megalodon teeth measuring between 0.5 inches and 3 inches (1.3-7.6cm). Adult teeth from the species can measure up to 6 inches (15cm). Researcher, Catalina Pimiento (Univ. of Fla.), has determined the teeth to belong almost exclusively to juveniles of the species, based on comparisons with other fossilized adult teeth. The find in Panama is only the second of its kind to be discovered. Another cache of juvenile C. megalodon teeth was discovered in South Carolina, although in the case of that site adult teeth as well as whale skulls were also discovered. The Panama site appears to be the first site discovered exclusively with juvenile shark teeth, indicating that the area might have served as a "shark nursery," a habitat that would have enabled juvenile sharks to reach maturity with minimized predatory threats. According to Pimiento…

"These areas are and have been essential habitats for sharks’ survival, and without them the animals would not be able to succeed. Now they are typically coastal zones where humans overfish and construct. So what this study is telling us is that these areas have been used by sharks for millions of years, and we need to preserve them so sharks can successfully reproduce and survive."

According to the National Geographic article, "Sea Monster" Bones Reveal Ancient Shark Feeding Frenzy, recent analysis of the fossilized bones of a plesisaur indicated the presences of over 80 sharks teeth embedded in the bones. The teeth were identified as belonging to the extinct species Cretalamna appendiculata, which was believed to have reached 3m in length. The plesiosaur was considerably larger at approximately 7m in length.

Paleontologist, Kenshu Shimada, believes that the plesiosaur was likely dead on near death when the shark bites occurred, as he believes that the sharks would have been no match for a healthy plesiosaur. While all of the teeth found embedded in the bones are believed to have come from the same species, the varying size and shape of the teeth indicate that sharks of various ages were involved in the "attack". Shimada estimated that at least seven different sharks of varying ages attacked the plesiosaur. For more information, check out the entire articles at National Geographic.

BBC News is reporting that Florence, a 6′ (1.8m) nurse shark, is successfully recovering from what is believed to be the first out of water surgical procedure of its kind.

Florence, who appeared ill at her previous home at Weymouth Sea Life Park (UK) was found to have a rusty fishhook embedded in her. After being anesthetized and removed from her tank, surgery was performed while seawater was continuously pumped through her gills. During her recovery, she was treated with antibiotics and fed via a tube. Ten days after the surgery, Florence was able to eat on her own and has since fully-recovered. Florence went on display at her new home, National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham (UK), yesterday.

Check BBC News for some video footage of the procedure.

National Geographic recently posted a new video on their YouTube channel set to ABC4Explore‘s The Great White Shark Song.

Unlike the original video (WARNING: Explicit lyrics), which predominantly featured footage from South Africa, the new video features a lot of footage from what appears to be Isla de Guadalupe (I see a few familiar sharks in the video). ABC4 (Andy Brandy Casagrande IV) is seen throughout the video strumming his guitar in open water with multiple white sharks, which I’m sure will make a lot of dive operators cringe. I’m not sure who he was diving with out there, but needless to say, “Don’t try this at home, kids.” (and by “home” I mean, Isla de Guadalupe). The new video also features toned down lyrics (no “F bombs” in this version).