Hi Leon, I think you need to turn to the terrestrial literature and look at theories for the evolution of striped colouration there. While I don't think you can rule out mimicry of venemous sea snakes, I would suggest that camoflage from predators is a more appropriate explanation for striped colouring in juvenile Stegostoma. The stripes basically help to break up the outline of the individual so it blends in better against disrupted or heterogenous backgrounds. The development of so-called shark proof wetsuits has made heavy use of stripes, so perhaps stripes are really great for helping to avoid large predators. You might be able to find some information on why they used striped neoprene to help you with your question.

Interesting! I've been down this path a little while, but abondoned it when the recent study on zebra striping (linking equid striped patterns with horse fly abundance) was published. I've tracked swimming Laticauda while diving and their patterns are truly mesmerizing, it is hard to see how they might offer a chance to blend though since the pattern is indeed very contrasting. I will look into it more! Although I sound doubtful, I think your interpretation is great, and probably closer to reality than mine.

Cheers!

I'm not sure it is about being able to blend in, rather that the stripes break up the outline of the shark. It would be interesting to do some trials with model sharks of different colours/stripe combinations to see if there are differences in how the models are approached by predators. If there was total avoidance of the true colouration by predators, it would provide strong evidence for your mimicry explanation. Any chance you could do such a thing?

interesting question and system! Can these sharks change color or are the stripes fixed in the young?

You may want to ask Karen Cheney, Bristol University, Australia, about this. She is an expert on marine mimicry

Hi Leon!

I have read a similar article (which I will attach here) during an Ecology class in my university in the Philippines. It's about the difference between a juvenile and an adult shrimp (Latreutes fucorum) in terms of the way they resemble their environment. Juveniles tend to use mimicry; while adults tend to use camouflage. The reason behind this is that the adults start to outgrow the parts of their habitat that they mimic so an ontogenetic shift has resulted in their reliance on camouflage, rather than mimicry. The distinct coloration between a juvenile and an adult may be due to, therefore, differing survival techniques that have adapted to be more effective with respect to their respective sizes. 

Peace out!