Flexibility and Morphology of Spines in Swimming Sharks (2006 - present)

The goal of this study is to quantify flexibility in species of varying swimming modes and describe the morphology (number of vertebrae and angle between vertebrae) of the vertebral column. The vertebral number, joint angle and swimming mode are expected to be significant predictors of flexibility. The study involves the use of video of live sharks as well as X-ray images.

Study still in progress (2007).

MCRI Research Archive