A trio of leopard sharks in New Caledonia have made marine science history after they were recorded mating in a “threesome”.
It is the first time the globally endangered species has been documented in a mating sequence, providing valuable knowledge to aid conservation efforts.
Dr Hugo Lassauce, a researcher at the University of the Sunshine Coast working in collaboration with Nouméa’s Aquarium des Lagons, recorded the event while surveying the leopard shark population off the coast of Nouméa.
It was the first time a leopard shark had been observed mating in the wild – with any number of partners.
Lassauce said reproductive behaviour in wild sharks remained largely undocumented, though other shark species had been observed mating in groups, with multiple males and one female.
“They’re not like dolphins,” the marine biologist noted, as dolphins have been observed “mating all the time”.
Rafqa spoke with Guardian Australia cadet Ima Caldwell to find out more.
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