It may be surprising, but scientists actually don’t know much about how a shark’s digestive system works, and how they eat, digest and excrete impact other marine species.
In a new study, scientists used computerized tomography or CT scanner to investigate the intestine of a Pacific spiny dogfish shark (Squalus suckleyi). “It’s high time that some modern technology was used to look at these really amazing spiral intestines of sharks,” said professor Samantha Leigh of California State University, Dominguez Hills. “We developed a new method to digitally scan these tissues and now can look at the soft tissues in such great detail without having to slice into them.”
The researchers found that the spiral intestine of the shark resembles the one-way valve designed by Nikola Tesla more than a century ago. The so-called ‘Tesla Valve’ allows fluid to flow in one direction without backflow or even moving parts.
Leigh suggests that as most sharks usually go days or even weeks between eating large meals, their spiral intestines allow them to hold food in their digestive system and absorb as much nutrients as possible. The slowed movement of food in the intestines allows sharks to retain food there longer, as well as use less energy processing it.
Images and video clip: Samantha Leigh/California State University, Dominguez Hills
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Soft tissues of the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) spiral intestines rotated and viewed from different angles.
Top: A Tesla valve produces one-way flow without any backflow and without using any mechanical or moving parts. Bottom: Spiral intestines of a shark have similar structure to a Tesla valve.
How Tesla valve works.