The Sharks Sixth Sense: Electroreception and Prey Detection

Aloha Thursday Evening Patrons,

On Thursday evening August 26^th, the UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program continues its public outreach series at the City and County of Honolulu’s Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.

Thursday August 26,

The Sharks Sixth Sense: Electroreception and Prey Detection

M.S. Candidate, UH Zoology Department, Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology

Ms. Ambrosino’s research focuses on the electrosensory system of elasmobranchs, particularly that of the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini). Sharks use specialized sensory structures called ampullae of Lorenzini to detect electric fields from potential prey or mates and possibly to navigate the Earth’s field lines. The ampullae sit under the skin and are connected to pores on the skin via gel-filled canals. As a shark swims through an electric field (produced by the muscles of a hiding fish, for example), the receptor cells of the ampullae are able to detect weak voltage gradients, thus leading the shark to its dinner. To learn more, simply show up at Hanauma Bay Thursday evening.

As always, these events begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening in the theatre at the Hanauma Bay Education Center. Events are free and open to the public, with no charge for parking after 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you on Thursday evening! These programs are supported and funded by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information on UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program events and activities, navigate to the “Calendar of Events” located atwww.hanaumabayeducation.org.

Sincerely,

Shawn Carrier, Outreach Education Specialist

UH Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education Program