Sharks: Ancient Predators in a Modern Sea - Hardcover

Jorgensen (shark researcher, Monterey Bay Aquarium) presents this lavishly illustrated exposition on the variety, history, physiology and behavior of sharks. The evolutionary history and current diversity of sharks are explored, followed by life and reproductive cycles, details of anatomical function, and migratory and predatory behavior. The last chapter discusses the future of shark life in the current evolutionary environment, including threats from human beings due to either desire for shark body parts or fear of injury. Large color photographs, many in macro detail, form the central item or background of most pages.-- (12/01/2013)

Sharks are exquisite creatures refined and honed by competitive forces that have lived in balance with ocean prey for millions of years. They live in every ocean habitat on Earth, from shallow tide pools to the deep abyss, and from the open ocean to where rivers meet the sea. In Sharks a top research scientist explores what has made sharks such successful predators, how they differ from other animals in their biological success and what unique advantages evolution has conferred. Sharks is illustrated with uniquely sourced photography demonstrating newly observed behaviour, scientific findings and recent developments in our understanding of how they live. Sharks is both a spectacular visual celebration, and a scientific document that explores in detail their unique physiology. A powerful swimming stroke is delivered from sharks' muscles directly to their tough skin shell forcing their body to 'inflate' like a car tyre with each flex, then quickly become fluid to glide as the muscles relax. By diving through the various water layers, a shark may locate and follow chemical scent trails that could lead to food concentrations. Thus a shark moving from one temperature layer to the next can expose its sensory equipment to new chemical cues and potentially new food sources. Some deep-sea sharks also lure prey with their light-producing organs. Salvador Jorgensen has combined the latest discoveries of new species, newly documented shark behaviour, and the best photographs, to give a 'state-of-knowledge' picture of sharks. Unique pictures of shark births, recently discovered creatures from the Ocean Census research, and details of sharks' skin, eyes, teeth and heads (including a comparison of nine different hammerhead varieties) make this a book every shark enthusiast will want. It will also debunk many myths about shark behaviour, and give libraries a true, 21st-century documentation of a very popular wild animal. Sharks features illustrated profiles of species living in the shallow reefs and also those living in the open ocean along with a unique 'cladogram' family tree that opens into a gatefold and profiles every known species.