Sharks 'cry for help' with strange sounds.

Scientists have just announced a surprising discovery, revealing a unique ability of some shark species: they emit sounds when they feel threatened.

A lemon shark off the coast of Jupiter, Florida, USA - Photo: AFP-Jiji

The research, conducted by Professor Éric Parmentierd from the University of Liège (ULiège, Belgium) and international colleagues from New Zealand and the United States, has opened up new perspectives on the potential communication behaviors of sharks.

According to a publication in the scientific journal "Royal Society Open Science," researchers have observed the ability of the starry shark (Scyliorhinus stellaris) to emit a "clicking" sound when it senses disturbance.

This serendipitous discovery stemmed from an initial experiment focused on the hearing abilities of sharks. According to Professor Parmentier, while performing tasks in an aquarium with a specific species of shark, the research team unexpectedly noticed that when they caught them, they began to emit strange sounds.

Remarkably, after a few seconds of vocalization, they return to a calm state . This is the first time this unique phenomenon has been recorded in the scientific community.

Scientists speculate that the source of these sounds lies in the unique structure of the starry shark's teeth. Unlike the sharp teeth commonly found in most shark species, its teeth are flattened and stacked, similar to those of stingrays.

According to an analysis by the University of Liège, this structure may produce a squeaking sound due to friction between the two jaws, thus creating the characteristic "clicking" noises.

Although researchers cautiously suggest that this is not necessarily a sophisticated form of communication, they believe these sounds may serve as a defensive response. They could be a distress signal when threatened or a way to startle an opponent, creating an opportunity for prey to escape.

According to the research team's hypothesis, creating sounds or changing colors are common tactics animals use to surprise and distract predators. Sometimes, just a moment of distraction from the predator is enough for the prey to escape. Some fish species also exhibit similar behavior.

This discovery adds another fascinating piece to the diverse picture of communication methods among marine organisms.

Scientists have long known about the ability of whales to "sing," the "click" navigation of dolphins, and many other forms of vocal communication among marine mammals. However, the discovery of a similar ability in a species of shark has opened up a promising new avenue of research.

In the future, Professor Parmentier and his team hope to conduct further research to determine the precise biological significance of these "clicking" sounds. One of the key goals is to verify whether this behavior occurs in the sharks' natural habitat.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ca-map-keu-cuu-bang-am-thanh-la-20250419150505279.htm