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Spiracle of a bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma. Spiracles (/ ˈ s p ɪr ə k əl, ˈ s p aɪ-/ [1] [2]) are openings on the surface of some animals, which usually lead to respiratory systems. Spiracle of a shark (bighead spurdog, Squalus bucephalus) The spiracle is a small hole behind each eye that opens to the mouth in some fish.
Spiracles are reduced or missing in active pelagic sharks. [1] While the shark is moving, water passes through the mouth and over the gills in a process known as "ram ventilation". [ 2 ] While at rest, most sharks pump water over their gills to ensure a constant supply of oxygenated water.
Most sharks rely on ram ventilation, forcing water into the mouth and over the gills by rapidly swimming forward. In slow-moving or bottom dwelling species, especially among skates and rays, the spiracle may be enlarged, and the fish breathes by sucking water through this opening, instead of through the mouth.
Like other fish, sharks extract oxygen from seawater as it passes over their gills. Unlike other fish, shark gill slits are not covered, but lie in a row behind the head. A modified slit called a spiracle lies just behind the eye, which assists the shark with taking in water during respiration and plays a major role in bottom–dwelling sharks.
Shark Anatomy (50693674756) The gill slits of a whale shark flaring as it expels water from its pharyngeal cavity. In the shark anatomy image, it depicts the beginning half of the shark, including the gills. The shark gills are especially important and were evolved from the chordate pharyngeal gill slits synapomorphy.
Shark! is an Intellivision game originally designed by Don Daglow, and with additional design and programming by Ji-Wen Tsao, one of the first female game programmers in the history of video games. The player is a fish who must eat smaller fishes in order to gain points and extra lives while avoiding enemies such as larger fishes, sharks ...
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Most sharks rely on ram ventilation, forcing water into the mouth and over the gills by rapidly swimming forward. In slow-moving or bottom-dwelling species, especially among skates and rays, the spiracle may be enlarged, and the fish breathes by sucking water through this opening, instead of through the mouth.