Story perspectives

Shark Study Reveals Surprising Growth Patterns and Evolutionary Insights

10/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sharks follow a two-thirds scaling law, with surface area growing more slowly than volume as they grow.
The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, analyzed over 50 shark species using CT scans and digital tools.
Findings suggest fundamental constraints may influence evolution and biological interactions among sharks.
Joel Gayford, a shark biologist at James Cook University, notes sharks' diverse sizes and shapes make them ideal for scaling studies.

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Story summary

Sharks follow a two-thirds scaling law, with surface area growing more slowly than volume as they grow.
The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, analyzed over 50 shark species using CT scans and digital tools.
Findings suggest fundamental constraints may influence evolution and biological interactions among sharks.
Joel Gayford, a shark biologist at James Cook University, notes sharks' diverse sizes and shapes make them ideal for scaling studies.