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Lara-Lizardi F, Castro E, Leos Barajas V, Morales JM, Hoyos-Padilla EM, Ketchum J. Seasonal occurrence and individual variability of bull sharks, Carcharhinus leucas, in a marine reserve of the southwestern Gulf of California. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17192. [PMID: 38766482 PMCID: PMC11102736 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studying how the bull sharks aggregate and how they can be driven by life history traits such as reproduction, prey availability, predator avoidance and social interaction in a National Park such as Cabo Pulmo, is key to understand and protect the species. Methods The occurrence variability of 32 bull sharks tracked with passive acoustic telemetry were investigated via a hierarchical logistic regression model, with inference conducted in a Bayesian framework, comparing sex, and their response to temperature and chlorophyll. Results Based on the fitted model, occurrence probability varied by sex and length. Juvenile females had the highest values, whereas adult males the lowest. A strong seasonality or day of the year was recorded, where sharks were generally absent during September-November. However, some sharks did not show the common pattern, being detected just for a short period. This is one of the first studies where the Bayesian framework is used to study passive acoustic telemetry proving the potential to be used in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Lara-Lizardi
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Orgcas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Migramar, Bodega Bay, CA, United States of America
| | - Eleazar Castro
- Centro Interdisciplinario en Ciencias Aplicadas de Baja California Sur A.C., La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Vianey Leos Barajas
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- School of the Environment, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Juan Manuel Morales
- Grupo de Ecología Cuantitativa. INIBIOMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Edgar Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Migramar, Bodega Bay, CA, United States of America
- Fins attached: Marine Research and Conservation, Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America
| | - James Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Migramar, Bodega Bay, CA, United States of America
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
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2
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Variable post-release mortality in common shark species captured in Texas shore-based recreational fisheries. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281441. [PMID: 36780489 PMCID: PMC9925081 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The practice of catch and release fishing is common among anglers but has been shown to cause unintended mortalities in some species. Current post-release mortality estimates used in coastal shark stock assessments are typically derived from boat-based shark fisheries, which differ from shore-based operations that expose sharks to potentially more stressful environmental and handling conditions. Recreational post-release mortality rates in shore-based fisheries must be quantified to improve stock assessment models and to create guidelines that protect species from overexploitation. Here, we partnered with experienced anglers acting as citizen scientists to deploy pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags (PSAT, n = 22) and acceleration data loggers (ADLs, n = 22). on four commonly caught sharks including the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus, n = 11), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas, n = 14), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier, n = 6), and great hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran, n = 2). Mortality occurred within minutes to hours post-release. If evidence of mortality occurred after normal diving behavior had been re-established for 10 days, then the mortality was considered natural and not related to the catch-and-release process. Post-release mortality estimates ranged from 0% for bull and tiger sharks to 45.5% for blacktip sharks. Of the two great hammerheads, one died within 30 minutes post-release while the other exhibited mortality characteristics 14 days after release. Moribund blacktip sharks experienced on average 3.4-4.9°C warmer water compared with survivors. Recovery periods were estimated for survivors of each species and were highly variable, differing based on duration of tag deployment. High variability in responses to capture and release between species demonstrates the need for species-specific assessments of post-release mortality in shore-based recreational fisheries.
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3
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Guttridge TL, Müller L, Keller BA, Bond ME, Grubbs RD, Winram W, Howey LA, Frazier BS, Gruber SH. Vertical space use and thermal range of the great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), (Rüppell, 1837) in the western North Atlantic. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:797-810. [PMID: 36056454 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) is a highly mobile, large-bodied shark primarily found in coastal-pelagic and semi-oceanic waters across a circumtropical range. It is a target or by-catch species in multiple fisheries, and as a result, rapid population declines have occurred in many regions. These declines have contributed to the species being assessed as globally critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Although conservation and management measures have yielded promising results in some regions, such as the United States, high levels of at-vessel and post-release mortality remain a major concern to the species population recovery. This examined the vertical space use and thermal range of pop-off archival satellite-tagged S. mokarran in the western North Atlantic Ocean, expanding the understanding of the ecological niche of this species and providing insight into by-catch mitigation strategies for fisheries managers. The results showed that S. mokarran predominantly used shallow depths (75% of records <30 m) and had a narrow temperature range (89% of records between 23 and 28°C). Individual differences in depth use were apparent, and a strong diel cycle was observed, with sharks occupying significantly deeper depths during the daytime. Furthermore, two individuals were confirmed pregnant with one migrating from the Bahamas to South Carolina, U.S.A., providing further evidence of regional connectivity and parturition off the U.S. East Coast. The findings suggest that S. mokarran may be vulnerable to incidental capture in the western North Atlantic commercial longline fisheries due to substantial vertical overlap between the species and the gear. The results can be incorporated into conservation and management efforts to develop and/or refine mitigation measures focused on reducing the by-catch and associated mortality of this species, which can ultimately aide S. mokarran population recovery in areas with poor conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristan L Guttridge
- Saving the Blue, Cooper City, Florida, USA
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, South Bimini, Bahamas
| | - Lukas Müller
- Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- The Watermen Project, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Bryan A Keller
- Saving the Blue, Cooper City, Florida, USA
- Coastal and Marine Laboratory, Florida State University, St. Teresa, Florida, USA
| | - Mark E Bond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida, USA
| | - R Dean Grubbs
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Lucy A Howey
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Bryan S Frazier
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Samuel H Gruber
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, South Bimini, Bahamas
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4
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Smukall MJ, Carlson J, Kessel ST, Guttridge TL, Dhellemmes F, Seitz AC, Gruber S. Thirty-five years of tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier relative abundance near Bimini, The Bahamas, and the Southeastern United States with a comparison across jurisdictional bounds. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:13-25. [PMID: 35446438 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Abundances of large sharks are reported to have declined worldwide, and in response various levels of fisheries management and conservation efforts have been established. For example, marine-protected areas have been suggested as a means to protect large expanses of ocean from fishing and other industrial activities (e.g., habitat destruction), and in 2011 The Commonwealth of The Bahamas established The Bahamas Shark Sanctuary. Nonetheless, assessing the effectiveness of conservation efforts is challenging because consistent long-term data sets of shark abundances are often lacking, especially throughout the Caribbean and The Bahamas. In this study, the authors investigated the catch rates and demographics of tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier caught in a fishery-independent survey near Bimini, The Bahamas, from 1984 to 2019 to assess relative abundance trends following the banning of longline fishing in 1993 and the subsequent establishment of the shark sanctuary. To contextualize the relative abundance trends near Bimini, the authors compared this to the relative abundance of tiger sharks in a fishery-dependent survey from the Southeastern USA (SE USA), conducted from 1994 to 2019. The data of this study suggest that local abundance of tiger sharks has been stable near Bimini since the 1980s, including after the ban of longline fishing and the implementation of the shark sanctuary. In comparison, the abundance near the SE USA has slowly increased in the past decade, following potential declines in the decade preceding the USA Shark Management Plan. The results of this study provide some optimism that current conservation efforts in The Bahamas have been effective to maintain local tiger shark abundance within the protected area. In addition, current fisheries management in the SE USA is allowing this species to recover within those waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Smukall
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Bimini, The Bahamas
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - John Carlson
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Panama City, Florida, USA
| | - Steven T Kessel
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Bimini, The Bahamas
- Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tristan L Guttridge
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Bimini, The Bahamas
- Saving the Blue, Cooper City, Florida, USA
| | - Félicie Dhellemmes
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Bimini, The Bahamas
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrew C Seitz
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
| | - Samuel Gruber
- Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Bimini, The Bahamas
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5
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Retrospective genomics highlights changes in genetic composition of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and potential loss of a south-eastern Australia population. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6582. [PMID: 35449439 PMCID: PMC9023511 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10529-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last century, many shark populations have declined, primarily due to overexploitation in commercial, artisanal and recreational fisheries. In addition, in some locations the use of shark control programs also has had an impact on shark numbers. Still, there is a general perception that populations of large ocean predators cover wide areas and therefore their diversity is less susceptible to local anthropogenic disturbance. Here we report on temporal genomic analyses of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) DNA samples that were collected from eastern Australia over the past century. Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) loci, we documented a significant change in genetic composition of tiger sharks born between ~1939 and 2015. The change was most likely due to a shift over time in the relative contribution of two well-differentiated, but hitherto cryptic populations. Our data strongly indicate a dramatic shift in the relative contribution of these two populations to the overall tiger shark abundance on the east coast of Australia, possibly associated with differences in direct or indirect exploitation rates.
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Bernard AM, Finnegan KA, Pavinski Bitar P, Stanhope MJ, Shivji MS. Genomic assessment of global population structure in a highly migratory and habitat versatile apex predator, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). J Hered 2021; 112:497-507. [PMID: 34374783 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esab046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the population dynamics of highly mobile, widely distributed, oceanic sharks, many of which are overexploited, is necessary to aid their conservation management. We investigated the global population genomics of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier), a circumglobally distributed, apex predator displaying remarkable behavioral versatility in its diet, habitat use (near coastal, coral reef, pelagic), and individual movement patterns (spatially resident to long-distance migrations). We genotyped 242 tiger sharks from 10 globally distributed locations at more than 2000 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Although this species often conducts massive distance migrations, the data show strong genetic differentiation at both neutral (FST=0.125-0.144) and candidate outlier loci (FST=0.570-0.761) between western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific sharks, suggesting the potential for adaptation to the environments specific to these oceanic regions. Within these regions, there was mixed support for population differentiation between northern and southern hemispheres in the western Atlantic, and none for structure within the Indian Ocean. Notably, the results demonstrate a low level of population differentiation of tiger sharks from the remote Hawaiian archipelago compared to sharks from the Indian Ocean (FST=0.003-0.005, P<0.01). Given concerns about biodiversity loss and marine ecosystem impacts caused by overfishing of oceanic sharks in the midst of rapid environmental change, our results suggest it imperative that international fishery management prioritize conservation of the evolutionary potential of the highly genetically differentiated Atlantic and Indo-Pacific populations of this unique apex predator. Furthermore, we suggest targeted management attention to tiger sharks in the Hawaiian archipelago based on a precautionary biodiversity conservation perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Bernard
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Kimberly A Finnegan
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida, USA.,Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Paulina Pavinski Bitar
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Michael J Stanhope
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Mahmood S Shivji
- Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida, USA.,Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
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7
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Brewster LR, Cahill BV, Burton MN, Dougan C, Herr JS, Norton LI, McGuire SA, Pico M, Urban-Gedamke E, Bassos-Hull K, Tyminski JP, Hueter RE, Wetherbee BM, Shivji M, Burnie N, Ajemian MJ. First insights into the vertical habitat use of the whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari revealed by pop-up satellite archival tags. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:89-101. [PMID: 32985701 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari is a tropical to warm-temperate benthopelagic batoid that ranges widely throughout the western Atlantic Ocean. Despite conservation concerns for the species, its vertical habitat use and diving behaviour remain unknown. Patterns and drivers in the depth distribution of A. narinari were investigated at two separate locations, the western North Atlantic (Islands of Bermuda) and the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A.). Between 2010 and 2014, seven pop-up satellite archival tags were attached to A. narinari using three methods: a through-tail suture, an external tail-band and through-wing attachment. Retention time ranged from 0 to 180 days, with tags attached via the through-tail method retained longest. Tagged rays spent the majority of time (82.85 ± 12.17% S.D.) within the upper 10 m of the water column and, with one exception, no rays travelled deeper than ~26 m. One Bermuda ray recorded a maximum depth of 50.5 m, suggesting that these animals make excursions off the fore-reef slope of the Bermuda Platform. Individuals occupied deeper depths (7.42 ± 3.99 m S.D.) during the day versus night (4.90 ± 2.89 m S.D.), which may be explained by foraging and/or predator avoidance. Each individual experienced a significant difference in depth and temperature distributions over the diel cycle. There was evidence that mean hourly depth was best described by location and individual variation using a generalized additive mixed model approach. This is the first study to compare depth distributions of A. narinari from different locations and describe the thermal habitat for this species. Our study highlights the importance of region in describing A. narinari depth use, which may be relevant when developing management plans, whilst demonstrating that diel patterns appear to hold across individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauran R Brewster
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Brianna V Cahill
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Miranda N Burton
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Cassady Dougan
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Herr
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Laura Issac Norton
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Samantha A McGuire
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Marisa Pico
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Elizabeth Urban-Gedamke
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Kim Bassos-Hull
- Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | - John P Tyminski
- Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | - Robert E Hueter
- Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | - Bradley M Wetherbee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
- The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Mahmood Shivji
- The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida, USA
| | | | - Matthew J Ajemian
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
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8
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Andrzejaczek S, Gleiss AC, Lear KO, Pattiaratchi C, Chapple TK, Meekan MG. Depth-dependent dive kinematics suggest cost-efficient foraging strategies by tiger sharks. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:200789. [PMID: 32968529 PMCID: PMC7481696 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, are a keystone, top-order predator that are assumed to engage in cost-efficient movement and foraging patterns. To investigate the extent to which oscillatory diving by tiger sharks conform to these patterns, we used a biologging approach to model their cost of transport. High-resolution biologging tags with tri-axial sensors were deployed on 21 tiger sharks at Ningaloo Reef for durations of 5-48 h. Using overall dynamic body acceleration as a proxy for energy expenditure, we modelled the cost of transport of oscillatory movements of varying geometries in both horizontal and vertical planes for tiger sharks. The cost of horizontal transport was minimized by descending at the smallest possible angle and ascending at an angle of 5-14°, meaning that vertical oscillations conserved energy compared to swimming at a level depth. The reduction of vertical travel costs occurred at steeper angles. The absolute dive angles of tiger sharks increased between inshore and offshore zones, presumably to reduce the cost of transport while continuously hunting for prey in both benthic and surface habitats. Oscillatory movements of tiger sharks conform to strategies of cost-efficient foraging, and shallow inshore habitats appear to be an important habitat for both hunting prey and conserving energy while travelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Andrzejaczek
- Oceans Graduate School and The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Adrian C. Gleiss
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Karissa O. Lear
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Charitha Pattiaratchi
- Oceans Graduate School and The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Taylor K. Chapple
- Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, USA
| | - Mark G. Meekan
- The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
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9
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Ajemian MJ, Drymon JM, Hammerschlag N, Wells RJD, Street G, Falterman B, McKinney JA, Driggers WB, Hoffmayer ER, Fischer C, Stunz GW. Movement patterns and habitat use of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) across ontogeny in the Gulf of Mexico. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234868. [PMID: 32667920 PMCID: PMC7363083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is globally distributed with established coastal and open-ocean movement patterns in many portions of its range. While all life stages of tiger sharks are known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), variability in habitat use and movement patterns over ontogeny have never been quantified in this large marine ecosystem. To address this data gap we fitted 56 tiger sharks with Smart Position and Temperature transmitting tags between 2010 and 2018 and examined seasonal and spatial distribution patterns across the GoM. Additionally, we analyzed overlap of core habitats (i.e., 50% kernel density estimates) among individuals relative to large benthic features (oil and gas platforms, natural banks, bathymetric breaks). Our analyses revealed significant ontogenetic and seasonal differences in distribution patterns as well as across-shelf (i.e., regional) and sex-linked variability in movement rates. Presumably sub-adult and adult sharks achieved significantly higher movement rates and used off-shelf deeper habitats at greater proportions than juvenile sharks, particularly during the fall and winter seasons. Further, female maximum rate of movement was higher than males when accounting for size. Additionally, we found evidence of core regions encompassing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration designated Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (i.e., shelf-edge banks) during cooler months, particularly by females, as well as 2,504 oil and gas platforms. These data provide a baseline for future assessments of environmental impacts, such as climate variability or oil spills, on tiger shark movements and distribution in the region. Future research may benefit from combining alternative tracking tools, such as acoustic telemetry and genetic approaches, which can facilitate long-term assessment of the species’ movement dynamics and better elucidate the ecological significance of the core habitats identified here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Ajemian
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - J. Marcus Drymon
- Coastal Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States of America
- Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Neil Hammerschlag
- Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Causeway, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Abess Center for Ecosystem Science & Policy, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - R. J. David Wells
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Garrett Street
- Quantitative Ecology & Spatial Technologies Laboratory, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi State, United States of America
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi State, United States of America
| | - Brett Falterman
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Jennifer A. McKinney
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - William B. Driggers
- NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories, Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Eric R. Hoffmayer
- NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories, Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States of America
| | | | - Gregory W. Stunz
- Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas, United States of America
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10
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McGregor F, Richardson AJ, Armstrong AJ, Armstrong AO, Dudgeon CL. Rapid wound healing in a reef manta ray masks the extent of vessel strike. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225681. [PMID: 31825970 PMCID: PMC6905573 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing vessel traffic in the marine environment due to commercial and recreational activities has amplified the number of conflicts with marine animals. However, there are limited multi-year observations of the healing rate of marine animals following vessel strike. Here we document the healing rate of a reef manta ray Mobula alfredi, following lacerations caused by a propeller along the pectoral fin. We demonstrate a high healing capacity, with wound length following a negative exponential curve over time. Lacerations healed to 5% of the initial wound length (i.e. 95% closure) within 295 days. The wounds appeared to stabilise at this point as observed more than three years following the incident and resulted in a distinctive scarring pattern. Examination of an extensive photo-identification catalogue of manta rays from the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area showed that the scarring pattern occurs more frequently than previously recognised, as the wounds had been previously attributed to failed predation attempts. This study provides baseline information for wound healing from vessel strike in reef manta rays and indirect evidence for increased vessel strikes on manta rays within the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area. We discuss the implication for spatial and behavioural management of vessels around manta rays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frazer McGregor
- Murdoch University Field Station, 1 Banksia Drive Coral Bay, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Richardson
- Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics (CARM), School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, QLD, Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct (QBP), QLD, Australia
| | - Amelia J. Armstrong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Asia O. Armstrong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Christine L. Dudgeon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld, Australia
- * E-mail:
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11
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Axworthy JB, Smith JM, Wing MS, Quinn TP. Sex biased individual variation in movement patterns of a highly mobile, near-shore marine planktivore, the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 95:1399-1406. [PMID: 31589768 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We examined individual variation and the role of sex on the movements of the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi. Specifically, we analysed several movement metrics using 6 years of nightly observations (1 January 2009-31 December 2014) of 118 individually identifiable manta rays at two discrete but spatially proximate sites, locally known as Manta Heaven and Manta Village, 15 km apart on the west side of the island of Hawaii, USA. Males were slightly more often (33.5%, model fitted mean, P < 0.05) observed than females at Manta Heaven, but females were much more often (156.4%, model fitted mean, P < 0.05) observed at Manta Village. Movement patterns among individuals varied greatly, but the level of variation was similar between sexes. Some animals, mainly females, displayed more resident patterns, whereas other, more mobile, animals moved between sites more frequently and had longer gaps between sightings. We did not detect discrete behavioural groups; rather, individuals varied along a continuous spectrum from many observations and high affinity to few observations and low fidelity to survey locations. These complex and variable movement patterns observed at the individual level, between sexes and between two nearby sites, in Hawaii's manta rays highlight the need for finer scale considerations in conservation and management of highly mobile marine populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy B Axworthy
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Joseph M Smith
- Fish Ecology Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hammond, Oregon, USA
| | - Martina S Wing
- Ocean Wings Hawaii, Inc., dba Manta Ray Advocates, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
| | - Thomas P Quinn
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Andrzejaczek S, Gleiss AC, Jordan LKB, Pattiaratchi CB, Howey LA, Brooks EJ, Meekan MG. Temperature and the vertical movements of oceanic whitetip sharks, Carcharhinus longimanus. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8351. [PMID: 29844605 PMCID: PMC5974137 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26485-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-bodied pelagic ectotherms such as sharks need to maintain internal temperatures within a favourable range in order to maximise performance and be cost-efficient foragers. This implies that behavioural thermoregulation should be a key feature of the movements of these animals, although field evidence is limited. We used depth and temperature archives from pop-up satellite tags to investigate the role of temperature in driving vertical movements of 16 oceanic whitetip sharks, Carcharhinus longimanus, (OWTs). Spectral analysis, linear mixed modelling, segmented regression and multivariate techniques were used to examine the effect of mean sea surface temperature (SST) and mixed layer depth on vertical movements. OWTs continually oscillated throughout the upper 200 m of the water column. In summer when the water column was stratified with high SSTs, oscillations increased in amplitude and cycle length and sharks reduced the time spent in the upper 50 m. In winter when the water column was cooler and well-mixed, oscillations decreased in amplitude and cycle length and sharks frequently occupied the upper 50 m. SSTs of 28 oC marked a distinct change in vertical movements and the onset of thermoregulation strategies. Our results have implications for the ecology of these animals in a warming ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Andrzejaczek
- Ocean Graduate School & The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
- The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Adrian C Gleiss
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | | | - Charitha B Pattiaratchi
- Ocean Graduate School & The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Lucy A Howey
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc., Columbia, Maryland, 21045, USA
| | - Edward J Brooks
- Shark Research and Conservation Program, The Cape Eleuthera Institute, Eleuthera, Bahamas
| | - Mark G Meekan
- The Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
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Meyer CG, Anderson JM, Coffey DM, Hutchinson MR, Royer MA, Holland KN. Habitat geography around Hawaii's oceanic islands influences tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) spatial behaviour and shark bite risk at ocean recreation sites. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4945. [PMID: 29563552 PMCID: PMC5862960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23006-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We compared tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) spatial behaviour among 4 Hawaiian Islands to evaluate whether local patterns of movement could explain higher numbers of shark bites seen around Maui than other islands. Our sample consisted of 96 electronically-tagged (satellite and acoustic transmitters) tiger sharks, individually tracked for up to 6 years. Most individuals showed fidelity to a specific ‘home’ island, but also swam between islands and sometimes ranged far (up to 1,400 km) offshore. Movements were primarily oriented to insular shelf habitat (0–200 m depth) in coastal waters, and individual sharks utilized core-structured home ranges within this habitat. Core utilization areas of large tiger sharks were closer to high-use ocean recreation sites around Maui, than around Oahu. Tiger sharks routinely visited shallow ocean recreation sites around Maui and were detected on more days overall at ocean recreation sites around Maui (62–80%) than Oahu (<6%). Overall, our results suggest the extensive insular shelf surrounding Maui supports a fairly resident population of tiger sharks and also attracts visiting tiger sharks from elsewhere in Hawaii. Collectively these natural, habitat-driven spatial patterns may in-part explain why Maui has historically had more shark bites than other Hawaiian Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl G Meyer
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P. O. Box, 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.
| | - James M Anderson
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P. O. Box, 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
| | - Daniel M Coffey
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P. O. Box, 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
| | - Melanie R Hutchinson
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P. O. Box, 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA.,Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96818, USA
| | - Mark A Royer
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P. O. Box, 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
| | - Kim N Holland
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, P. O. Box, 1346, Kaneohe, Hawaii, USA
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Hollins J, Thambithurai D, Koeck B, Crespel A, Bailey DM, Cooke SJ, Lindström J, Parsons KJ, Killen SS. A physiological perspective on fisheries-induced evolution. Evol Appl 2018; 11:561-576. [PMID: 29875803 PMCID: PMC5978952 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that intense fishing pressure is not only depleting fish stocks but also causing evolutionary changes to fish populations. In particular, body size and fecundity in wild fish populations may be altered in response to the high and often size‐selective mortality exerted by fisheries. While these effects can have serious consequences for the viability of fish populations, there are also a range of traits not directly related to body size which could also affect susceptibility to capture by fishing gears—and therefore fisheries‐induced evolution (FIE)—but which have to date been ignored. For example, overlooked within the context of FIE is the likelihood that variation in physiological traits could make some individuals within species more vulnerable to capture. Specifically, traits related to energy balance (e.g., metabolic rate), swimming performance (e.g., aerobic scope), neuroendocrinology (e.g., stress responsiveness) and sensory physiology (e.g., visual acuity) are especially likely to influence vulnerability to capture through a variety of mechanisms. Selection on these traits could produce major shifts in the physiological traits within populations in response to fishing pressure that are yet to be considered but which could influence population resource requirements, resilience, species’ distributions and responses to environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Hollins
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Davide Thambithurai
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Barbara Koeck
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Amelie Crespel
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - David M Bailey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science Carleton University Ottawa ON Canada
| | - Jan Lindström
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Kevin J Parsons
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Shaun S Killen
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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Finger JS, Guttridge TL, Wilson ADM, Gruber SH, Krause J. Are some sharks more social than others? Short- and long-term consistencies in the social behavior of juvenile lemon sharks. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2431-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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16
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Tiger sharks can connect equatorial habitats and fisheries across the Atlantic Ocean basin. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184763. [PMID: 28926627 PMCID: PMC5604974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing our knowledge about the spatial ecology of apex predators and their interactions with diverse habitats and fisheries is necessary for understanding the trophic mechanisms that underlie several aspects of marine ecosystem dynamics and for guiding informed management policies. A preliminary assessment of tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) population structure off the oceanic insular system of Fernando de Noronha (FEN) and the large-scale movements performed by this species in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean was conducted using longline and handline fishing gear and satellite telemetry. A total of 25 sharks measuring 175–372 cm in total length (TL) were sampled. Most sharks were likely immature females ranging between 200 and 260 cm TL, with few individuals < 200 cm TL being caught. This contrasts greatly with the tiger shark size-distribution previously reported for coastal waters off the Brazilian mainland, where most individuals measured < 200 cm TL. Also, the movements of 8 individuals measuring 202–310 cm TL were assessed with satellite transmitters for a combined total of 757 days (mean = 94.6 days∙shark-1; SD = 65.6). These sharks exhibited a considerable variability in their horizontal movements, with three sharks showing a mostly resident behavior around FEN during the extent of the respective tracks, two sharks traveling west to the South American continent, and two sharks moving mostly along the middle of the oceanic basin, one of which ending up in the northern hemisphere. Moreover, one shark traveled east to the African continent, where it was eventually caught by fishers from Ivory Coast in less than 474 days at liberty. The present results suggest that young tiger sharks measuring < 200 cm TL make little use of insular oceanic habitats from the western South Atlantic Ocean, which agrees with a previously-hypothesized ontogenetic habitat shift from coastal to oceanic habitats experienced by juveniles of this species in this region. In addition, this study adds evidence that tiger sharks are able to connect marine trophic webs from the neritic provinces of the eastern and western margins of the Atlantic Ocean across the equatorial basin and that they may experience mortality induced by remote fisheries. All this information is extremely relevant for understanding the energetic balance of marine ecosystems as much as the exposure of this species to fishing pressure in this yet poorly-known region.
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Dicken ML, Hussey NE, Christiansen HM, Smale MJ, Nkabi N, Cliff G, Wintner SP. Diet and trophic ecology of the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) from South African waters. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177897. [PMID: 28594833 PMCID: PMC5464543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the diet and trophic ecology of apex predators is key for the implementation of effective ecosystem as well as species-based management initiatives. Using a combination of stomach content data and stable isotope analysis (δ15N and δ13C) the current study provides information on size-based and sex-specific variations in diet, trophic position (TP) and foraging habitat of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) caught in the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board bather protection program. This study presents the longest time-series and most detailed analysis of stomach content data for G. cuvier worldwide. Prey identified from 628 non-empty stomachs revealed a size-based shift in diet. Reptiles, birds, mysticetes, and large shark species increased in dietary importance with G. cuvier size, concomitant with a decrease in smaller prey such as batoids and teleosts. Seasonal and decadal shifts in diet driven primarily by changes in the importance of elasmobranchs and mammal (cetacean) prey were recorded for medium sized (150-220 cm) G. cuvier. Both stomach content and stable isotope analysis indicated that G. cuvier is a generalist feeder at the population level. Size-based δ13C profiles indicated a movement to offshore foraging habitats by larger G. cuvier. Calculated TP varied by method ranging from 4.0 to 5.0 (TPSCA for stomach contents) and from 3.6 to 4.5 (TPscaled and TPadditive for δ15N). Large (> 220 cm) G. cuvier did not feed at discrete trophic levels, but rather throughout the food web. These data provide key information on the ecological role of G. cuvier to improve the accuracy of regional food web modelling. This will enable a better understanding of the ecological impacts related to changes in the abundance of this predator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew L. Dicken
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare, Alice. South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Nigel E. Hussey
- University of Windsor–Biological Sciences, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Malcolm J. Smale
- Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
- Port Elizabeth Museum, Humewood, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Nomfundo Nkabi
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
| | - Geremy Cliff
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Biomedical Resource Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban South Africa
| | - Sabine P. Wintner
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa
- Biomedical Resource Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban South Africa
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Shipley ON, Howey LA, Tolentino ER, Jordan LKB, Ruppert JLW, Brooks EJ. Horizontal and vertical movements of Caribbean reef sharks ( Carcharhinus perezi): conservation implications of limited migration in a marine sanctuary. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017. [PMID: 28386422 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cm184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ecological and economic importance of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi), little data exist regarding the movements and habitat use of this predator across its range. We deployed 11 pop-up satellite archival tags on Caribbean reef sharks captured in the northeast Exuma Sound, The Bahamas, to assess their horizontal and vertical movements throughout the water column. Sharks showed high site fidelity to The Bahamas suggesting Bahamian subpopulations remain protected within the Bahamian Shark Sanctuary. Depth data indicate that Caribbean reef sharks spent a significant proportion (72-91%) of their time above 50 m in narrow vertical depth bands, which varied considerably on an individual basis. This may be indicative of high site fidelity to specific bathymetric features. Animals exhibited three broadly categorized sporadic off-bank excursions (more than 50 m excursions) down to a depth of 436.1 m, which were more frequent during the night. These deeper excursions during night may be indicative of foraging in relation to prey on mesophotic reefs, as well as diel-vertically migrating prey from the deeper meso- and bathypelagic zones. These vertical movements suggest that Caribbean reef sharks can be significant vectors of ecosystem connectivity further warranting holistic multi-system management and conservation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver N Shipley
- Shark Research and Conservation Program, The Cape Eleuthera Institute, PO Box EL-26029, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas; School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Lucy A Howey
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc. , 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045 , USA
| | - Emily R Tolentino
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc. , 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045 , USA
| | - Lance K B Jordan
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc. , 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045 , USA
| | - Jonathan L W Ruppert
- Department of Renewable Resources , University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada T6G 2H1
| | - Edward J Brooks
- Shark Research and Conservation Program , The Cape Eleuthera Institute , PO Box EL-26029, Rock Sound, Eleuthera , The Bahamas
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Shipley ON, Howey LA, Tolentino ER, Jordan LKB, Ruppert JLW, Brooks EJ. Horizontal and vertical movements of Caribbean reef sharks ( Carcharhinus perezi): conservation implications of limited migration in a marine sanctuary. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:160611. [PMID: 28386422 PMCID: PMC5367288 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite the ecological and economic importance of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi), little data exist regarding the movements and habitat use of this predator across its range. We deployed 11 pop-up satellite archival tags on Caribbean reef sharks captured in the northeast Exuma Sound, The Bahamas, to assess their horizontal and vertical movements throughout the water column. Sharks showed high site fidelity to The Bahamas suggesting Bahamian subpopulations remain protected within the Bahamian Shark Sanctuary. Depth data indicate that Caribbean reef sharks spent a significant proportion (72-91%) of their time above 50 m in narrow vertical depth bands, which varied considerably on an individual basis. This may be indicative of high site fidelity to specific bathymetric features. Animals exhibited three broadly categorized sporadic off-bank excursions (more than 50 m excursions) down to a depth of 436.1 m, which were more frequent during the night. These deeper excursions during night may be indicative of foraging in relation to prey on mesophotic reefs, as well as diel-vertically migrating prey from the deeper meso- and bathypelagic zones. These vertical movements suggest that Caribbean reef sharks can be significant vectors of ecosystem connectivity further warranting holistic multi-system management and conservation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver N. Shipley
- Shark Research and Conservation Program, The Cape Eleuthera Institute, PO Box EL-26029, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Lucy A. Howey
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc., 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
| | - Emily R. Tolentino
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc., 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
| | - Lance K. B. Jordan
- Microwave Telemetry, Inc., 8835 Columbia 100 Parkway, Suites K & L, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
| | - Jonathan L. W. Ruppert
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaT6G 2H1
| | - Edward J. Brooks
- Shark Research and Conservation Program, The Cape Eleuthera Institute, PO Box EL-26029, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
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Bernard AM, Feldheim KA, Heithaus MR, Wintner SP, Wetherbee BM, Shivji MS. Global population genetic dynamics of a highly migratory, apex predator shark. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:5312-5329. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M. Bernard
- Save Our Seas Shark Research Center Halmos College of Natural Sciences & Oceanography Nova Southeastern University 8000 N. Ocean Drive Dania Beach FL 33004 USA
| | - Kevin A. Feldheim
- The Field Museum of Natural History Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution 1400 South Lake Shore Drive Chicago IL 60605 USA
| | - Michael R. Heithaus
- School of Environment and Society Florida International University Miami FL USA
| | - Sabine P. Wintner
- KwaZulu‐Natal Sharks Board Private Bag 2 Umhlanga Rocks 4320 South Africa
- Biomedical Resource Unit University of KwaZulu‐Natal Durban 4000 South Africa
| | - Bradley M. Wetherbee
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Rhode Island Kingston RI USA
- Guy Harvey Research Institute Dania Beach, FL 33004 USA
| | - Mahmood S. Shivji
- Save Our Seas Shark Research Center and Guy Harvey Research Institute Halmos College of Natural Sciences & Oceanography Nova Southeastern University 8000 N. Ocean Drive Dania Beach FL 33004 USA
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21
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Lopes MS, Bertucci TCP, Rapagnã L, Tubino RDA, Monteiro-Neto C, Tomas ARG, Tenório MC, Lima T, Souza R, Carrillo-Briceño JD, Haimovici M, Macario K, Carvalho C, Aguilera Socorro O. The Path towards Endangered Species: Prehistoric Fisheries in Southeastern Brazil. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154476. [PMID: 27355355 PMCID: PMC4939631 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Brazilian shellmounds are archaeological sites with a high concentration of
marine faunal remains. There are more than 2000 sites along the coast of Brazil
that range in age from 8,720 to 985 cal BP. Here, we studied the
ichthyoarchaeological remains (i.e., cranial/postcranial bones, otoliths, and
teeth, among others) at 13 shellmounds on the southern coast of the state of Rio
de Janeiro, which are located in coastal landscapes, including a sandy plain
with coastal lagoons, rocky islands, islets and rocky bays. We identified
patterns of similarity between shellmounds based on fish diversity, the ages of
the assemblages, littoral geomorphology and prehistoric fisheries. Our new
radiocarbon dating, based on otolith samples, was used for fishery
characterization over time. A taxonomical study of the ichthyoarchaeological
remains includes a diversity of 97 marine species, representing 37% of all
modern species (i.e., 265 spp.) that have been documented along the coast of Rio
de Janeiro state. This high fish diversity recovered from the shellmounds is
clear evidence of well-developed prehistoric fishery activity that targeted
sharks, rays and finfishes in a productive area influenced by coastal marine
upwelling. The presence of adult and neonate shark, especially oceanic species,
is here interpreted as evidence of prehistoric fisheries capacity for
exploitation and possibly overexploitation in nursery areas. Various tools and
strategies were used to capture finfish in seasonal fisheries, over rocky reef
bottoms and in sandy littoral environments. Massive catches of whitemouth
croaker, main target dermersal species of South Atlantic coast, show evidence of
a reduction in body size of approximately 28% compared with modern fisheries.
Fishery activity involving vulnerable species, especially in nursery areas,
could mark the beginning of fish depletion along the southeastern Brazilian
coast and the collapse of natural fish populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Samôr Lopes
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Thayse Cristina Pereira Bertucci
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
- * E-mail:
| | - Luciano Rapagnã
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Rafael de Almeida Tubino
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Cassiano Monteiro-Neto
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Acácio Ribeiro Gomes Tomas
- Instituto de Pesca, Centro APTA Pescado Marinho, Av. Bartolomeu de Gusmão
192, Santos, São Paulo, CEP: 11030–906, Brasil
| | - Maria Cristina Tenório
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Museu Nacional, Departamento de
Antropologia. Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 20940–040,
Brasil
| | - Tânia Lima
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Museu Nacional, Departamento de
Antropologia. Quinta da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 20940–040,
Brasil
| | - Rosa Souza
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Manuel Haimovici
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Instituto de Oceanografia, Campus
Carreiros, Av. Itália, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, CEP: 96201–900,
Brasil
| | - Kita Macario
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Física, Campus da Praia
Vermelha, Boa Viagem, CEP: 24210–310, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro,
Brasil
| | - Carla Carvalho
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Física, Campus da Praia
Vermelha, Boa Viagem, CEP: 24210–310, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro,
Brasil
| | - Orangel Aguilera Socorro
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto de Biologia, Campus do
Valonguinho, Outeiro São João Batista, s/n°.CEP: 24020–141, Niterói, Rio de
Janeiro, Brasil
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Howey LA, Tolentino ER, Papastamatiou YP, Brooks EJ, Abercrombie DL, Watanabe YY, Williams S, Brooks A, Chapman DD, Jordan LKB. Into the deep: the functionality of mesopelagic excursions by an oceanic apex predator. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:5290-304. [PMID: 27551383 PMCID: PMC4984504 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehension of ecological processes in marine animals requires information regarding dynamic vertical habitat use. While many pelagic predators primarily associate with epipelagic waters, some species routinely dive beyond the deep scattering layer. Actuation for exploiting these aphotic habitats remains largely unknown. Recent telemetry data from oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus) in the Atlantic show a strong association with warm waters (>20°C) less than 200 m. Yet, individuals regularly exhibit excursions into the meso‐ and bathypelagic zone. In order to examine deep‐diving behavior in oceanic whitetip sharks, we physically recovered 16 pop‐up satellite archival tags and analyzed the high‐resolution depth and temperature data. Diving behavior was evaluated in the context of plausible functional behavior hypotheses including interactive behaviors, energy conservation, thermoregulation, navigation, and foraging. Mesopelagic excursions (n = 610) occurred throughout the entire migratory circuit in all individuals, with no indication of site specificity. Six depth‐versus‐time descent and ascent profiles were identified. Descent profile shapes showed little association with examined environmental variables. Contrastingly, ascent profile shapes were related to environmental factors and appear to represent unique behavioral responses to abiotic conditions present at the dive apex. However, environmental conditions may not be the sole factors influencing ascents, as ascent mode may be linked to intentional behaviors. While dive functionality remains unconfirmed, our study suggests that mesopelagic excursions relate to active foraging behavior or navigation. Dive timing, prey constituents, and dive shape support foraging as the most viable hypothesis for mesopelagic excursions, indicating that the oceanic whitetip shark may regularly survey extreme environments (deep depths, low temperatures) as a foraging strategy. At the apex of these deep‐water excursions, sharks exhibit a variable behavioral response, perhaps, indicating the presence or absence of prey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yannis P Papastamatiou
- Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University North Miami Florida USA
| | - Edward J Brooks
- Shark Research and Conservation Program Cape Eleuthera Institute Eleuthera The Bahamas
| | | | - Yuuki Y Watanabe
- National Institute of Polar Research Tachikawa Tokyo Japan; Department of Polar Science SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Tachikawa Tokyo Japan
| | - Sean Williams
- Shark Research and Conservation Program Cape Eleuthera Institute Eleuthera The Bahamas
| | - Annabelle Brooks
- Shark Research and Conservation Program Cape Eleuthera Institute Eleuthera The Bahamas
| | - Demian D Chapman
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Science & Institute for Ocean Conservation Science Stony Brook University Stony Brook New York USA
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23
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Finger J, Dhellemmes F, Guttridge T, Kurvers R, Gruber S, Krause J. Rate of movement of juvenile lemon sharks in a novel open field, are we measuring activity or reaction to novelty? Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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24
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Pickard AE, Vaudo JJ, Wetherbee BM, Nemeth RS, Blondeau JB, Kadison EA, Shivji MS. Comparative Use of a Caribbean Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem and Association with Fish Spawning Aggregations by Three Species of Shark. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151221. [PMID: 27144275 PMCID: PMC4856273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding of species interactions within mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; ~ 30-150 m) lags well behind that for shallow coral reefs. MCEs are often sites of fish spawning aggregations (FSAs) for a variety of species, including many groupers. Such reproductive fish aggregations represent temporal concentrations of potential prey that may be drivers of habitat use by predatory species, including sharks. We investigated movements of three species of sharks within a MCE and in relation to FSAs located on the shelf edge south of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. Movements of 17 tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier), seven lemon (Negaprion brevirostris), and six Caribbean reef (Carcharhinus perezi) sharks tagged with acoustic transmitters were monitored within the MCE using an array of acoustic receivers spanning an area of 1,060 km2 over a five year period. Receivers were concentrated around prominent grouper FSAs to monitor movements of sharks in relation to these temporally transient aggregations. Over 130,000 detections of telemetered sharks were recorded, with four sharks tracked in excess of 3 years. All three shark species were present within the MCE over long periods of time and detected frequently at FSAs, but patterns of MCE use and orientation towards FSAs varied both spatially and temporally among species. Lemon sharks moved over a large expanse of the MCE, but concentrated their activities around FSAs during grouper spawning and were present within the MCE significantly more during grouper spawning season. Caribbean reef sharks were present within a restricted portion of the MCE for prolonged periods of time, but were also absent for long periods. Tiger sharks were detected throughout the extent of the acoustic array, with the MCE representing only portion of their habitat use, although a high degree of individual variation was observed. Our findings indicate that although patterns of use varied, all three species of sharks repeatedly utilized the MCE and as upper trophic level predators they are likely involved in a range of interactions with other members of MCEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria E. Pickard
- Guy Harvey Research Institute, Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 N Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J. Vaudo
- Guy Harvey Research Institute, Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 N Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, United States of America
| | - Bradley M. Wetherbee
- Guy Harvey Research Institute, Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 N Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, 02881, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Richard S. Nemeth
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, USVI, 00802, United States of America
| | - Jeremiah B. Blondeau
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, USVI, 00802, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Kadison
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, #2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, USVI, 00802, United States of America
| | - Mahmood S. Shivji
- Guy Harvey Research Institute, Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 N Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, United States of America
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25
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Di Lorenzo M, Fernández TV, Badalamenti F, Guidetti P, Starr RM, Giacalone VM, Di Franco A, D'Anna G. Diel activity and variability in habitat use of white sea bream in a temperate marine protected area. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 116:1-9. [PMID: 26922044 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Fish populations are often comprised of individuals that use habitats and associated resources in different ways. We placed sonic transmitters in, and tracked movements of, white sea bream (Diplodus sargus sargus) in the no-take zone of a Mediterranean marine protected area: the Torre Guaceto marine protected area, (Adriatic Sea, Italy). Tagged fish displayed three types of diel activity patterns in three different habitats: sand, rocky reefs and "matte" of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica. Individuals were more active during the day than at night. Overall, white sea bream displayed a remarkable behavioural plasticity in habitat use. Our results indicate that the observed behavioural plasticity in the marine protected area could be the result of multiple ecological and environmental drivers such as size, sex and increased intra-specific competition. Our findings support the view that habitat diversity helps support high densities of fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfredi Di Lorenzo
- CNR-IAMC, U.O. di Mazara del Vallo, Via Vaccara 61, 91026 Mazara del Vallo, TP, Italy.
| | - Tomás Vega Fernández
- CNR-IAMC, U.O. di Mazara del Vallo, Via Vaccara 61, 91026 Mazara del Vallo, TP, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- CNR-IAMC, Sede di Castellammare del Golfo, Via G. da Verrazzano 17, 91014, Castellammare del Golfo, TP, Italy
| | - Paolo Guidetti
- Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, FRE 3729 ECOMERS, Parc Valrose 28, Avenue Valrose, 06108, Nice, France
| | - Richard M Starr
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Sea Grant Extension Program, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA; University of California, Sea Grant Extension Program, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | | | - Antonio Di Franco
- Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, FRE 3729 ECOMERS, Parc Valrose 28, Avenue Valrose, 06108, Nice, France
| | - Giovanni D'Anna
- CNR-IAMC, Sede di Castellammare del Golfo, Via G. da Verrazzano 17, 91014, Castellammare del Golfo, TP, Italy
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26
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Lea JSE, Wetherbee BM, Queiroz N, Burnie N, Aming C, Sousa LL, Mucientes GR, Humphries NE, Harvey GM, Sims DW, Shivji MS. Repeated, long-distance migrations by a philopatric predator targeting highly contrasting ecosystems. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11202. [PMID: 26057337 PMCID: PMC4460898 DOI: 10.1038/srep11202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-distance movements of animals are an important driver of population spatial dynamics and determine the extent of overlap with area-focused human activities, such as fishing. Despite global concerns of declining shark populations, a major limitation in assessments of population trends or spatial management options is the lack of information on their long-term migratory behaviour. For a large marine predator, the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier, we show from individuals satellite-tracked for multiple years (up to 1101 days) that adult males undertake annually repeated, round-trip migrations of over 7,500 km in the northwest Atlantic. Notably, these migrations occurred between the highly disparate ecosystems of Caribbean coral reef regions in winter and high latitude oceanic areas in summer, with strong, repeated philopatry to specific overwintering insular habitat. Partial migration also occurred, with smaller, immature individuals displaying reduced migration propensity. Foraging may be a putative motivation for these oceanic migrations, with summer behaviour showing higher path tortuosity at the oceanic range extremes. The predictable migratory patterns and use of highly divergent ecosystems shown by male tiger sharks appear broadly similar to migrations seen in birds, reptiles and mammals, and highlight opportunities for dynamic spatial management and conservation measures of highly mobile sharks.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S E Lea
- 1] The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, United States of America [2] Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK [3] Danah Divers, Marine Research Facility, PO Box 10646, Jeddah, 21443, Saudi Arabia [4] University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Bradley M Wetherbee
- 1] The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, United States of America [2] Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Nuno Queiroz
- 1] Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK [2] CIBIO - Universidade do Porto, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-668 Vairão, Portugal
| | | | | | - Lara L Sousa
- 1] Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK [2] CIBIO - Universidade do Porto, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, 4485-668 Vairão, Portugal [3] Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Gonzalo R Mucientes
- 1] Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK [2] Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, CSIC, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208, Vigo, Spain [3] CETMAR, Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Nicolas E Humphries
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Guy M Harvey
- The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, United States of America
| | - David W Sims
- 1] Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK [2] Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK [3] Centre for Biological Sciences, Building 85, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Mahmood S Shivji
- The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, 8000 North Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, Florida 33004, United States of America
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27
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Ferreira LC, Thums M, Meeuwig JJ, Vianna GMS, Stevens J, McAuley R, Meekan MG. Crossing latitudes--long-distance tracking of an apex predator. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116916. [PMID: 25671609 PMCID: PMC4324986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) are apex predators occurring in most tropical and warm temperate marine ecosystems, but we know relatively little of their patterns of residency and movement over large spatial and temporal scales. We deployed satellite tags on eleven tiger sharks off the north-western coast of Western Australia and used the Brownian Bridge kernel method to calculate home ranges and analyse movement behaviour. One individual recorded one of the largest geographical ranges of movement ever reported for the species, travelling over 4000 km during 517 days of monitoring. Tags on the remainder of the sharks reported for shorter periods (7-191 days). Most of these sharks had restricted movements and long-term (30-188 days) residency in coastal waters in the vicinity of the area where they were tagged. Core home range areas of sharks varied greatly from 1166.9 to 634,944 km2. Tiger sharks spent most of their time in water temperatures between 23°-26°C but experienced temperatures ranging from 6°C to 33°C. One shark displayed seasonal movements among three distinct home range cores spread along most of the coast of Western Australia and generalized linear models showed that this individual had different patterns of temperature and depth occupancy in each region of the coast, with the highest probability of residency occurring in the shallowest areas of the coast with water temperatures above 23°C. These results suggest that tiger sharks can migrate over very large distances and across latitudes ranging from tropical to the cool temperate waters. Such extensive long-term movements may be a key element influencing the connectivity of populations within and among ocean basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana C Ferreira
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michele Thums
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jessica J Meeuwig
- Centre for Marine Futures, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gabriel M S Vianna
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Stevens
- CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rory McAuley
- Department of Fisheries, Government of Western Australia, WA Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mark G Meekan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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28
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Afonso AS, Hazin FHV. Vertical movement patterns and ontogenetic niche expansion in the tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116720. [PMID: 25629732 PMCID: PMC4309595 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sharks are top predators in many marine ecosystems and can impact community dynamics, yet many shark populations are undergoing severe declines primarily due to overfishing. Obtaining species-specific knowledge on shark spatial ecology is important to implement adequate management strategies for the effective conservation of these taxa. This is particularly relevant concerning highly-mobile species that use wide home ranges comprising coastal and oceanic habitats, such as tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier. We deployed satellite tags in 20 juvenile tiger sharks off northeastern Brazil to assess the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on depth and temperature usage. Sharks were tracked for a total of 1184 d and used waters up to 1112 m in depth. The minimum temperature recorded equaled 4°C. All sharks had a clear preference for surface (< 5 m) waters but variability in depth usage was observed as some sharks used mostly shallow (< 60 m) waters whereas others made frequent incursions into greater depths. A diel behavioral shift was detected, with sharks spending considerably more time in surface (< 10 m) waters during the night. Moreover, a clear ontogenetic expansion in the vertical range of tiger shark habitat was observed, with generalized linear models estimating a ~4-fold increase in maximum diving depth from 150- to 300-cm size-classes. The time spent in the upper 5 m of the water column did not vary ontogenetically but shark size was the most important factor explaining the utilization of deeper water layers. Young-of-the-year tiger sharks seem to associate with shallow, neritic habitats but they progressively move into deeper oceanic habitats as they grow larger. Such an early plasticity in habitat use could endow tiger sharks with access to previously unavailable prey, thus contributing to a wider ecological niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- André S. Afonso
- Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Fábio H. V. Hazin
- Departamento de Pesca e Aquicultura, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
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