Slingshot feeding of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni (Pisces: Lamniformes: Mitsukurinidae)

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 27786
• Main Authors: Nakaya, Kazuhiro, Tomita, Taketeru, Suda, Kenta, Sato, Keiichi, Ogimoto, Keisuke, Chappell, Anthony, Sato, Toshihiko, Takano, Katsuhiko, Yuki, Yoshio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 10.06.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bite Force; Cartilage; Compressive Strength; Feeding Behavior - physiology; Head Movements - physiology; Jaw; Jaw - physiology; Predatory Behavior - physiology; Sharks; Sharks - physiology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/srep27786

Five striking and prey capture events of two goblin sharks were videotaped at sea for the first time, showing their extraordinary biting process. The goblin sharks swung their lower jaw downward and backward to attain a huge gape and then rapidly protruded the jaws forward a considerable distance. The jaws were projected at a maximum velocity of 3.1 m/s to 8.6-9.4% of the total length of the shark, which is by far the fastest and greatest jaw protrusion among sharks. While the jaws were being retracted, the mouth opened and closed again, which was considered a novel feeding event for sharks. Phylogenetic evidence suggested that their feeding behavior has evolved as an adaptation to food-poor deep-sea environments, possibly as a trade-off for the loss of strong swimming ability.