Sharks, spines and speed: The hidden architecture behind different swimming styles

What gives sharks their extraordinary speed, agility and endurance? It’s not just their muscles or powerful tails – it’s the hidden architecture inside their spines. Using high-resolution micro-CT imaging, researchers found that great white, shortfin mako and porbeagle sharks have rigid, mineral-rich spines built for speed, while sand tiger sharks evolved more flexible vertebrae for maneuverability. Common thresher sharks have reinforced spinal structures for powerful tail strikes, and basking sharks possess lightly mineralized spines adapted for slow, energy-efficient cruising.

Raccontata daeurekalert.org