The Open Fish Science Journal

2008, 1 : 23-27
Published online 2008 September 12. DOI: 10.2174/1874401X00801010023
Publisher ID: TOFISHSJ-1-23

Putative Male – Male Agonistic Behaviour in Free-Living Zebra Sharks, Stegostoma fasciatum

Juerg M. Brunnschweiler and Harold L. Pratt, Jr.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Euresearch Zurich, Careum, Moussonstrasse 2, CH-8044 Zurich, Switzerland.

ABSTRACT

Abstract: We analysed digital still photographs of two interacting free-living male zebra sharks. The recorded behaviours are similar in appearance to some male – female courtship and mating patterns in elasmobranchs and several of the positions are similar to or resemble reproductive behaviours known from other species. We discuss two possible hypotheses that may explain the interaction, sexual behaviour and an agonistic behaviour. We reject the same-sex hypothesis and propose that the event was of agonistic nature.

Keywords:

Agonistic behaviour, Elasmobranch, Homosexual.