What physiological adaptation allows the salmon shark to maintain a body temperature higher than the surrounding water?
Answer
Endothermy
The salmon shark is characterized as being endothermic, which is a specialized biological capability that allows it to generate and maintain an internal body temperature elevated above that of the cooler ambient water in which it resides. This warm-blooded nature is a critical adaptation enabling sustained high levels of activity and performance, which are necessary for successfully pursuing fast-moving prey like salmon in frigid environments of the North Pacific.
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