• Under a moon spell: Shark attacks relate

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Wed Jan 12 21:30:46 2022
    Under a moon spell: Shark attacks related to lunar phases

    Date:
    January 12, 2022
    Source:
    Louisiana State University
    Summary:
    New research suggests that more shark attacks occur during fuller
    phases of the moon. While the exact cause remains unclear, the
    researchers found that more shark attacks than average occur during
    periods of higher lunar illumination and fewer attacks than average
    occur during periods of lower illumination. Many different types
    of animals show behaviors that are linked to moon phases yet few
    studies to date have looked at the connections between lunar phases
    and shark attacks.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    New research from LSU and the University of Florida suggests that more
    shark attacks occur during fuller phases of the moon. While the exact
    cause remains unclear, the researchers found that more shark attacks
    than average occur during periods of higher lunar illumination and fewer attacks than average occur during periods of lower illumination. Many
    different types of animals show behaviors that are linked to moon phases
    yet few studies to date have looked at the connections between lunar
    phases and shark attacks.


    ==========================================================================
    What makes this research important is the abundance of data the
    researchers analyzed. Their findings are based on a global shark attack
    record collected during a 55-year period from 1960 to 2015 from the International Shark Attack File housed in the Florida Museum of Natural
    History at the University of Florida. Being able to crunch numbers for
    shark attacks across the globe and over the course of decades revealed
    a clear correlation between lunar phases and shark attacks, although
    the reasons why remain unknown.

    "It's not a matter of more light at night for sharks to see. Most shark
    attacks occur in the daylight. However, the moon can exert other forces
    on Earth and its oceans in ways that are much more subtle -- for example,
    the gravitation pull that we see affect the tides," said Steve Midway,
    LSU associate professor and researcher on the project. His combined
    expertise in fisheries ecology and statistical analyses in the College of
    the Coast & Environment's Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences
    allowed him to add a unique perspective to this research.

    The scientists say it is still too early to demonstrate that lunar
    illumination is a causative factor for shark attacks. However, their
    new data serves as a building block towards better understanding shark
    attacks and could be useful for developing recommendations for water-based recreational activities in the future.

    "The abundance of data we have would suggest that there is something
    there that's worth continuing to look at," Midway said.

    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Louisiana_State_University. Note:
    Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Lindsay A. French, Stephen R. Midway, David H. Evans, George
    H. Burgess.

    Shark Side of the Moon: Are Shark Attacks Related to Lunar Phase?
    Frontiers in Marine Science, 2021; 8 DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2021.745221 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/01/220112145113.htm
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