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Coghlan AR, Morales N. New shark in the park: Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier observations in the remote South Pacific. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:2098-2101. [PMID: 38556875 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15737] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
We present the first photographic records of the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) at the remote Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the south-east Pacific. Previous anecdotal sightings exist for tiger sharks in this region; however these records have not been reported within the scientific domain. The present sighting occurred in a period of unusually warm sea surface temperature, which has been shown to influence tiger shark range extensions elsewhere. Novel and historic species occurrence records are valuable for determining and predicting species' environmental tolerances, migratory routes, and distributional limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Rose Coghlan
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Naiti Morales
- Millennium Nucleus for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI). Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
- Instituto de Fomento Pesquero (IFOP), Valparaíso, Chile
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2
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Balanin S, Hauser-Davis RA, Giareta E, Charvet P, Wosnick N. Almost nothing is known about the tiger shark in South Atlantic waters. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14750. [PMID: 36700003 PMCID: PMC9869778 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) has been relatively well assessed concerning biology and ecology aspects in both Atlantic and Pacific North America and in Caribbean waters. The amount of data in these regions has led to the species protection under capture quotas and with the creation of sanctuaries. The reality in developing countries, however, is the exact opposite, with scarce information on the species in the southern hemisphere, namely South American and African waters. In these regions, protection measures are insufficient, and studies on tiger shark biology and ecology are scarce, significantly hindering conservation and management efforts. Thus, the aim of this study was to compile scientific literature on the tiger shark in the South Atlantic and discuss the impact of these data (or lack thereof) distributed within a total of ten research categories for guiding management plans. In total, 41 scientific publications on different G. cuvier biology and ecology aspects were obtained. The most studied topics were Feeding Ecology (n = 12), followed by Human Interactions (n = 8), and Movements and Migration (n = 7). Northeastern Brazil (Southwest Atlantic) was the most researched area, probably due to the higher coastal abundance of tiger sharks in this area, alongside a high number of recorded attacks, justifying funding for studies in the region. No studies carried out in other South American or African countries were found. It is important to mention that even though some research topics are relatively well covered, a severe knowledge gap is noted for risk assessments and fisheries management, with a proposition for the implementation of sanctuaries noted. This is, however, particularly worrisome, as the South Atlantic is mostly unexplored in this regard for tiger sharks. It is also important to note how different the attention given to this species is in the North Atlantic when compared to the South region. Lastly, we highlight that the existence of sub-populations, the lack of migratory corridors geographically connecting distinct areas used by the species, and the lack of fisheries statistics on tiger shark landings, all increase the vulnerability of this species in the South Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Balanin
- Projeto Tintureira—Associação MarBrasil, Pontal do Paraná, Brazil,Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia—Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná
| | - Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção a Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eloísa Giareta
- Projeto Tintureira—Associação MarBrasil, Pontal do Paraná, Brazil,Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia—Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná
| | - Patricia Charvet
- Projeto Tintureira—Associação MarBrasil, Pontal do Paraná, Brazil,Programa de Pós-graduação em Sistemática, Uso e Conservação da Biodiversidade—Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Natascha Wosnick
- Projeto Tintureira—Associação MarBrasil, Pontal do Paraná, Brazil,Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia—Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná
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3
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Wosnick N, Chaves AP, Niella YV, Takatsuka V, Hazin FHV, Nunes JLS, Morick D. Physiological Impairment as a Result of Bile Accumulation in an Apex Predator, the Tiger Shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier Péron & Lesueur, 1822). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112030. [PMID: 33158068 PMCID: PMC7694183 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sharks rely on a diet with high lipid content, depending on gallbladder proper functioning for lipid emulsification, absorption, and subsequent hepatic storage. The present study reports a physiological impairment due to bile accumulation in juvenile tiger sharks and the possible causes of such condition. Abstract Physiological adaptations have evolved to help sharks face rapid periods of feast. Tiger sharks are generalist apex predators that rely on a high-lipid/protein diet. To achieve a satisfactory nutritional condition, proper lipid absorption and hepatic storage are needed. Bile secretion in sharks is low and sporadic but increases during short periods of fasting. The present study describes a physiological impairment caused by bile accumulation in juvenile tiger sharks, possibly due to prolonged fasting. These evidences suggest that, even though sharks have adaptations that prevent them from dying from starvation, alarming physiological alterations might occur. Future studies are needed to assess how such a condition can affect wild populations, as well as possible sublethal consequences that could impact their long-term survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Wosnick
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Paula Chaves
- Laboratório de Organismos Aquáticos, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil; (A.P.C.); (J.L.S.N.)
| | - Yuri Vieira Niella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
| | | | - Fábio Hissa Vieira Hazin
- Laboratório de Biologia Pesqueira, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife 52171-900, Brazil;
| | - Jorge Luiz Silva Nunes
- Laboratório de Organismos Aquáticos, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís 65080-805, Brazil; (A.P.C.); (J.L.S.N.)
| | - Danny Morick
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
- Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China
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Pirog A, Jaquemet S, Ravigné V, Cliff G, Clua E, Holmes BJ, Hussey NE, Nevill JEG, Temple AJ, Berggren P, Vigliola L, Magalon H. Genetic population structure and demography of an apex predator, the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:5551-5571. [PMID: 31160982 PMCID: PMC6540675 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Population genetics has been increasingly applied to study large sharks over the last decade. Whilst large shark species are often difficult to study with direct methods, improved knowledge is needed for both population management and conservation, especially for species vulnerable to anthropogenic and climatic impacts. The tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, is an apex predator known to play important direct and indirect roles in tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems. While the global and Indo-West Pacific population genetic structure of this species has recently been investigated, questions remain over population structure and demographic history within the western Indian (WIO) and within the western Pacific Oceans (WPO). To address the knowledge gap in tiger shark regional population structures, the genetic diversity of 286 individuals sampled in seven localities was investigated using 27 microsatellite loci and three mitochondrial genes (CR,COI, and cytb). A weak genetic differentiation was observed between the WIO and the WPO, suggesting high genetic connectivity. This result agrees with previous studies and highlights the importance of the pelagic behavior of this species to ensure gene flow. Using approximate Bayesian computation to couple information from both nuclear and mitochondrial markers, evidence of a recent bottleneck in the Holocene (2,000-3,000 years ago) was found, which is the most probable cause for the low genetic diversity observed. A contemporary effective population size as low as 111 [43,369] was estimated during the bottleneck. Together, these results indicate low genetic diversity that may reflect a vulnerable population sensitive to regional pressures. Conservation measures are thus needed to protect a species that is classified as Near Threatened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Pirog
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion/IRD/CNRS)Université de La RéunionSaint Denis, La RéunionFrance
| | - Sébastien Jaquemet
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion/IRD/CNRS)Université de La RéunionSaint Denis, La RéunionFrance
| | | | - Geremy Cliff
- KwaZulu‐Natal Sharks BoardUmhlanga RocksSouth Africa
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Eric Clua
- EPHE‐CNRS‐UPVDCNRS UPVDUSR 3278 CRIOBEPSL Research UniversityPerpignanFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAILPerpignanFrance
| | - Bonnie J. Holmes
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Queensland, St LuciaBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Nigel E. Hussey
- Biological SciencesUniversity of WindsorWindsorOntarioCanada
| | | | - Andrew J. Temple
- School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle‐upon‐TyneUK
| | - Per Berggren
- School of Natural and Environmental SciencesNewcastle UniversityNewcastle‐upon‐TyneUK
| | - Laurent Vigliola
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAILPerpignanFrance
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion/IRD/CNRS)Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementNouméaNouvelle CalédonieFrance
| | - Hélène Magalon
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion/IRD/CNRS)Université de La RéunionSaint Denis, La RéunionFrance
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAILPerpignanFrance
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5
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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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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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Ferreira LC, Thums M, Heithaus MR, Barnett A, Abrantes KG, Holmes BJ, Zamora LM, Frisch AJ, Pepperell JG, Burkholder D, Vaudo J, Nowicki R, Meeuwig J, Meekan MG. The trophic role of a large marine predator, the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7641. [PMID: 28794497 PMCID: PMC5550416 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07751-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tiger sharks were sampled off the western (Ningaloo Reef, Shark Bay) and eastern (the Great Barrier Reef; GBR, Queensland and New South Wales; NSW) coastlines of Australia. Multiple tissues were collected from each shark to investigate the effects of location, size and sex of sharks on δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes among these locations. Isotopic composition of sharks sampled in reef and seagrass habitats (Shark Bay, GBR) reflected seagrass-based food-webs, whereas at Ningaloo Reef analysis revealed a dietary transition between pelagic and seagrass food-webs. In temperate habitats off southern Queensland and NSW coasts, shark diets relied on pelagic food-webs. Tiger sharks occupied roles at the top of food-webs at Shark Bay and on the GBR, but not at Ningaloo Reef or off the coast of NSW. Composition of δ13C in tissues was influenced by body size and sex of sharks, in addition to residency and diet stability. This variability in stable isotopic composition of tissues is likely to be a result of adaptive foraging strategies that allow these sharks to exploit multiple shelf and offshore habitats. The trophic role of tiger sharks is therefore both context- and habitat-dependent, consistent with a generalist, opportunistic diet at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana C Ferreira
- School of Biological Sciences and Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Australian Institute of Marine Science (M096), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Michele Thums
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (M096), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Michael R Heithaus
- School of Environment, Arts, and Society, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA
| | - Adam Barnett
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Kátya G Abrantes
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Bonnie J Holmes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lara M Zamora
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Ashley J Frisch
- Reef HQ, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Julian G Pepperell
- Pepperell Research and Consulting Pty Ltd., Noosaville DC, Qld, Australia
| | - Derek Burkholder
- School of Environment, Arts, and Society, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA
| | - Jeremy Vaudo
- The Guy Harvey Research Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, USA
| | - Robert Nowicki
- School of Environment, Arts, and Society, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, 33181, USA.,Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research and Restoration, Mote Marine Laboratory, 24244 Overseas Highway, Summerland Key, FL, 33042, USA
| | - Jessica Meeuwig
- Centre for Marine Futures, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Mark G Meekan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (M096), University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
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