Warm-blooded fish possess unique characteristics, enabling predatory sharks to experience a speed boost.

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Functional Ecology, a team of marine biologists led by Lucy Harding, a PhD Candidate at Trinity College Dublin's School of Natural Sciences, has challenged the common belief that warm-blooded fishes can live in a broader range of temperatures.

Contrary to some previous studies and opinions, the research shows that warm-blooded fishes do not live in broader temperature ranges. Instead, the team's findings reveal that warm-blooded fishes swim approximately 1.6 times faster than their cold-blooded counterparts, providing them with competitive advantages in areas such as predation and migration.

The new research project investigating the evolutionary advantages of warm-bloodedness in fish was conducted by a research group from the University of Konstanz. The team, which included Nick Payne, Assistant Professor in Zoology in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences, collected data using biologging devices attached to the fins of various species, including the white shark and bluefin tuna.

The research provides direct evidence of the evolutionary advantage of being warm-blooded. By swimming faster, these fish can hunt more efficiently, offering a potential competitive advantage. However, the findings also suggest that warm-blooded fishes may be equally at risk from the negative impacts of ocean warming.

Species like the white shark and bluefin tuna, which are warm-blooded, are likely as vulnerable to changing global ocean temperatures as cold-blooded fish. As water temperatures rise, these warm-blooded fishes will need to expend more energy to maintain their body temperature, which could lead to exhaustion and reduced hunting success.

Lucy Harding and her international team believe that being warm-blooded allows fish to swim faster due to more powerful muscles. This increased swimming speed could aid future conservation efforts for threatened warm-blooded fishes. The research findings can help conservationists understand the unique challenges these species face and develop strategies to protect them in a changing ocean environment.

The research was supported by Science Foundation Ireland and highlights the importance of continued investment in marine research. As the world's oceans continue to warm, understanding the impacts on marine life is crucial for preserving biodiversity and maintaining a healthy global ecosystem.

Warm-blooded fish possess unique characteristics, enabling predatory sharks to experience a speed boost.