By Philippa Warr, Wired UK
Structures in great white shark brains similar to those found in humans could be the key to preventing attacks by the species.
[partner id="wireduk"]Animal biologists at the University of Western Australia have revealed that the brains of great white sharks share similarities in terms of the regions dedicated to visual input to those found in human brains.
Larger optic tecta in the brains of sharks -- analogous to the superior colliculus structure in human brains, which deals with behaviour in relation to visible objects -- are associated with an increased reliance on vision in those creatures.
"Great white sharks have quite large parts of the brain associated with their visual input, with implications for them being much more receptive to repellents targeting visual markers," Kara Yopak, a research associate at the University's Animal Biology department told AFP.
Current shark repellant technology relies heavily on non-visual deterrents such as electrical pulses and chemicals, however, understanding more about how great white sharks' brains work -- particularly how to utilise the large areas dedicated to visual stimuli -- could lead to better and more targeted repellant products.
According to Yopak: "A shark may recognise a poisonous sea-snake's markings and swim away, for example, and we can use this information to cue a response."
Source: Wired.co.uk
Image: Hermanus Backpackers/Flickr
