Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Porter, Marianne C.

Abstract

Our goal was to assess regional differences in denticle density and skin tensile properties in four coastal species of shark. We hypothesized that the denticle density, tensile strength (MPa), stiffness (MPa), and toughness of skin (MJ·m^-3) would vary regionally along the body of an individual and among species. An hourglass-shaped punch was used to extract the skin samples at 10 anatomical landmarks and denticle density was quantified. Denticle density varied significantly among both regions and species, and showed a significant species by region interaction. Skin samples were tested in tension at a strain rate of 2 mm-s until failure. We found significant species and region effects for all tensile and denticle density properties. Also, denticle density increases with skin stiffness but decreases with toughness. Shark skin toughness is similar to that of mammalian tendons. These data show shark skin functions as an exotendon, able to conserve energy during swimming.

Extent

46 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00004761

Format

pdf

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