Sharks Confirmed to Follow Two-Thirds Scaling Law, New Study Reveals

June 21, 2025
Sharks Confirmed to Follow Two-Thirds Scaling Law, New Study Reveals
  • Utilizing high-resolution 3D imaging and CT scans, the researchers employed phylogenetic regression to analyze the surface area and volume of sharks, confirming a scaling coefficient of 0.64, which is remarkably close to the anticipated 0.66.

  • Moreover, this research highlights the potential for applying similar methodologies to confirm the two-thirds scaling law across other animal species, thereby enhancing our understanding of various biological processes.

  • These findings suggest that sharks have evolved to maintain this scaling ratio, likely due to developmental constraints that render deviations costly.

  • Understanding the two-thirds scaling law in sharks may offer valuable insights into their physiological responses to environmental changes, such as heat and nutrient management, particularly in the face of climate change.

  • A recent study led by Joel Gayford from James Cook University has revealed that sharks closely adhere to the two-thirds scaling law, a biological principle that describes the relationship between surface area and volume.

  • The research examined 54 different shark species, showcasing a diverse range of body sizes and masses, to determine if they deviate from the expected scaling law.

  • Interestingly, only reef-associated sharks exhibited minor deviations from the scaling law, indicating a strong evolutionary commitment to this mathematical principle among the broader shark population.

  • The two-thirds scaling law posits that as an object's dimensions increase, its surface area grows by the square of the linear dimension, while its volume increases by the cube, resulting in a consistent ratio of two-thirds.

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