DOCSLIB.ORG

Diets of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Diets of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Gulf and Caribbean Research Volume 27 | Issue 1 2016 Diets of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) and Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) in the northern Gulf of Mexico Tyler Harrington Texas A & M University - Galveston, [email protected] Jeff lumleeP Texas A & M University - Galveston, [email protected] J. Marcus Drymon University of South Alabama, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, [email protected] David Wells Texas A & M University - Galveston, [email protected] DOI: 10.18785.gcr.2701.05 Follow this and additional works at: http://aquila.usm.edu/gcr Recommended Citation Harrington, T., J. Plumlee, J. Drymon and D. Wells. 2016. Diets of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) and Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Gulf and Caribbean Research 27 (1): 42-51. Retrieved from http://aquila.usm.edu/gcr/vol27/iss1/5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gulf and Caribbean Research by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. VOLUME 25 VOLUME GULF AND CARIBBEAN Volume 25 RESEARCH March 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS GULF AND CARIBBEAN SAND BOTTOM MICROALGAL PRODUCTION AND BENTHIC NUTRIENT FLUXES ON THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO NEARSHORE SHELF RESEARCH Jeffrey G. Allison, M. E. Wagner, M. McAllister, A. K. J. Ren, and R. A. Snyder....................................................................................1—8 WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT SPECIES RICHNESS AND DISTRIBUTION ON THE OUTER—SHELF SOUTH TEXAS BANKS? Harriet L. Nash, Sharon J. Furiness, and John W. Tunnell, Jr. ......................................................................................................... 9—18 Volume 27 ASSESSMENT OF SEAGRASS FLORAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE FROM TWO CARIBBEAN MARINE PROTECTED 2016 AREAS ISSN: 1528—0470 Paul A. X. Bologna and Anthony J. Suleski ............................................................................................................................................. 19—27 SPATIAL AND SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF RED DRUM CAUGHT AND RELEASED IN TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA, AND FAC- TORS ASSOCIATED WITH POST—RELEASE HOOKING MORTALITY Kerry E. Flaherty, Brent L. Winner, Julie L. Vecchio, and Theodore S. Switzer....................................................................................29—41 CHARACTERIZATION OF ICHTHYOPLANKTON IN THE NORTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO FROM SEAMAP PLANK- TON SURVEYS, 1982—1999 Joanne Lyczkowski—Shultz, David S. Hanisko, Kenneth J. Sulak, Ma gorzata Konieczna, and Pamela J. Bond ..................................43—98 ł GULF AND CAR Short Communications DEPURATION OF MACONDA (MC—252) OIL FOUND IN HETEROTROPHIC SCLERACTINIAN CORALS (TUBASTREA COCCINEA AND TUBASTREA MICRANTHUS) ON OFFSHORE OIL/GAS PLATFORMS IN THE GULF Steve R. Kolian, Scott Porter, Paul W. Sammarco, and Edwin W. Cake, Jr........................................................................................99—103 EFFECTS OF CLOSURE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER GULF OUTLET ON SALTWATER INTRUSION AND BOTTOM WATER HYPOXIA IN LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN IBBEAN RESEARCH Michael A. Poirrier .............................................................................................................................................................................105—109 DISTRIBUTION AND LENGTH FREQUENCY OF INVASIVE LIONFISH (PTEROIS SP.) IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO OF MEXICO Alexander Q. Fogg, Eric R. Hoffmayer, William B. Driggers III, Matthew D. Campbell, Gilmore J. Pellegrin, and William Stein ............................................................................................................................................................................................................111—115 NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF INVASIVE LIONFISH (PTEROIS SP.) FROM THE NORTHCENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO William Stein III, Nancy J. Brown—Peterson, James S. Franks, and Martin T. O’Connell ...............................................................117—120 RECORD BODY SIZE FOR THE RED LIONFISH, PTEROIS VOLITANS (SCORPAENIFORMES), IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO Alfonso Aguilar—Perera, Leidy Perera—Chan, and Luis Quijano—Puerto ...........................................................................................121—123 EFFECTS OF BLACK MANGROVE (AVICENNIA GERMINANS) EXPANSION ON SALTMARSH (SPARTINA ALTERNI- FLORA) BENTHIC COMMUNITIES OF THE SOUTH TEXAS COAST Jessica Lunt, Kimberly McGlaun, and Elizabeth M. Robinson..........................................................................................................125—129 TIME—ACTIVITY BUDGETS OF STOPLIGHT PARROTFISH (SCARIDAE: SPARISOMA VIRIDE) IN BELIZE: CLEANING INVITATION AND DIURNAL PATTERNS Wesley A. Dent and Gary R. Gaston .................................................................................................................................................131—135 FIRST RECORD OF A NURSE SHARK, GINGLYMOSTOMA CIRRATUM, WITHIN THE MISSISSIPPI SOUND Jill M. Hendon, Eric R. Hoffmayer, and William B. Driggers III......................................................................................................137—139 REVIEWERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................141 INSTRUCTION TO AUTHORS ...............................................................................................................................................................142-143 Published by © 2013 The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Published by Research Laboratory. MAR Printed in the United States of America ISSN: 1528—0470 CH 2013 703 East Beach Drive All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by the Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 copyright hereon may be reproduced or copied in any form or 228.872.4200 • FAX: 228.872.4204 by any means without written permission from the publisher. Ocean Springs, Mississippi www.usm.edu/gcrl Gulf and Caribbean Research Vol 27, 42-51, 2016 Manuscript received, November 25, 2015; accepted, June 17, 2016 DOI: 10.18785/gcr.2701.05 DIETS OF ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARK (RHIZOPRIONODON TERRAENOVAE) AND BONNETHEAD (SPHYRNA TIBURO) IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO Tyler Harrington1,2*, Jeffrey D. Plumlee1,3, J. Marcus Drymon4,5, R. J. David Wells1,3 1Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 1001 Texas Clipper Road, Galveston, TX 77553; 3Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843; 4Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688; 5Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528; *Corresponding author, email: [email protected], 2 Current address: Wildlife Epidemiology and Population Health Lab. Florida Atlantic University – Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, 5600 U.S. 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946 ABSTRACT: Diets of two coastal sharks, Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) and Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), were exam- ined along the Texas and Alabama coasts in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks were collected from the northwest (n= 209) and northcentral (n= 245) GOM regions while Bonnetheads were collected from two locations within the northwest GOM (Galveston, Texas, n= 164; Matagorda, Texas, n= 79). Dietary analysis was conducted using stomach contents identified to the lowest taxonomic level, which were quantified using the index of relative importance (IRI) and non—parametric statistical analyses. Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks were revealed to be primarily piscivorous, with an overall %IRI of 79.76% for teleost fishes. Bonnetheads were shown to prey primarily on crustaceans (90.94% IRI), mainly crabs (22.06% IRI). Diets for Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks and Bonnetheads were evaluated by region and ontogeny, where variations by ontogeny were examined based on length at 50% maturity (L50) values, delineating mature from immature individuals. Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks and Bonnetheads showed a decrease in dietary prey species richness from juveniles to adults using %IRI. Regional dietary differences existed with Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks from the northwest GOM consuming more crustaceans than conspecifics from the northcentral GOM. Bonnetheads col- lected from Galveston, TX consumed more crab than Bonnetheads from Matagorda, TX, while Bonnetheads from Matagorda, TX displayed a diet with higher prey species richness. Our results highlight differences in diets of two common shark species at both local and regional spatial scales. KEYWORDS: stomach contents, feeding ecology, coastal sharks INTRODUCTION Predators play a critical role in the structure and function dant mesopredators in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) of marine ecosystems (Baum and Worm 2009). Removal of (Drymon et al. 2010), share similar distributions (Drymon these predators, such as sharks, can cause negative effects et al. 2013), and account for a large percentage of annual on population structure and cascade to lower trophic levels small coastal shark landings (Cortes 2005, 2009). Atlantic throughout the food web (Heithaus 2008). Consequently, Sharpnose Sharks range from New Brunswick, Canada in examining diets of predators can provide information about the north to the Yucatan Peninsula in the south, including how an ecosystem functions and can potentially be affected
Load more

Recommended publications
  • © Iccat, 2007
    A5 By-catch Species APPENDIX 5: BY-CATCH SPECIES A.5 By-catch species By-catch is the unintentional/incidental capture of non-target species during fishing operations. Different types of fisheries have different types and levels of by-catch, depending on the gear used, the time, area and depth fished, etc. Article IV of the Convention states: "the Commission shall be responsible for the study of the population of tuna and tuna-like fishes (the Scombriformes with the exception of Trichiuridae and Gempylidae and the genus Scomber) and such other species of fishes exploited in tuna fishing in the Convention area as are not under investigation by another international fishery organization". The following is a list of by-catch species recorded as being ever caught by any major tuna fishery in the Atlantic/Mediterranean. Note that the lists are qualitative and are not indicative of quantity or mortality. Thus, the presence of a species in the lists does not imply that it is caught in significant quantities, or that individuals that are caught necessarily die. Skates and rays Scientific names Common name Code LL GILL PS BB HARP TRAP OTHER Dasyatis centroura Roughtail stingray RDC X Dasyatis violacea Pelagic stingray PLS X X X X Manta birostris Manta ray RMB X X X Mobula hypostoma RMH X Mobula lucasana X Mobula mobular Devil ray RMM X X X X X Myliobatis aquila Common eagle ray MYL X X Pteuromylaeus bovinus Bull ray MPO X X Raja fullonica Shagreen ray RJF X Raja straeleni Spotted skate RFL X Rhinoptera spp Cownose ray X Torpedo nobiliana Torpedo
    [Show full text]
  • Coelho Phd Lantern S
    UNIVERSIDADEdo ALGARVE FaculdadedeCiênciasdoMaredo Ambiente Biology,populationdynamics,managementandconservation ofdeepwaterlanternsharks,Etmopterusspinax and Etmopteruspusillus (Chondrichthyes:Etmopteridae)insouthernPortugal(northeastAtlantic). (DoutoramentoemCiênciaseTecnologiasdasPescas,especialidadedeBiologiaPesqueira) (ThesisforthedegreeinDoctorofPhilosophyinFisheriesSciencesandTechnologies,specialtyinFisheriesBiology) RUIPEDROANDRADECOELHO Faro (2007) UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE FACULDADE DE CIÊNCIAS DO MAR E DO AMBIENTE Biology, population dynamics, management and conservation of deep water lantern sharks, Etmopterus spinax and Etmopterus pusillus (Chondrichthyes: Etmopteridae) in southern Portugal (northeast Atlantic). (Doutoramento em Ciências e Tecnologias das Pescas, especialidade de Biologia Pesqueira) (Thesis for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy in Fisheries Sciences and Technologies, specialty in Fisheries Biology) RUI PEDRO ANDRADE COELHO Orientador / Supervisor: Prof. Doutor Karim Erzini Júri / Jury: - Prof. Doutor José Pedro Andrade, Professor Catedrático da Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Universidade do Algarve; - Prof. Doutor Karim Erzini, Professor Associado com Agregação da Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Universidade do Algarve; - Prof. Doutor Leonel Paulo Sul de Serrano Gordo, Professor Auxiliar com Agregação da Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa; - Prof. Doutor Manuel Seixas Afonso Dias, Professor Auxiliar da Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Universidade do Algarve;
    [Show full text]
  • Elasmobranch Biodiversity, Conservation and Management Proceedings of the International Seminar and Workshop, Sabah, Malaysia, July 1997
    The IUCN Species Survival Commission Elasmobranch Biodiversity, Conservation and Management Proceedings of the International Seminar and Workshop, Sabah, Malaysia, July 1997 Edited by Sarah L. Fowler, Tim M. Reed and Frances A. Dipper Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 25 IUCN The World Conservation Union Donors to the SSC Conservation Communications Programme and Elasmobranch Biodiversity, Conservation and Management: Proceedings of the International Seminar and Workshop, Sabah, Malaysia, July 1997 The IUCN/Species Survival Commission is committed to communicate important species conservation information to natural resource managers, decision-makers and others whose actions affect the conservation of biodiversity. The SSC's Action Plans, Occasional Papers, newsletter Species and other publications are supported by a wide variety of generous donors including: The Sultanate of Oman established the Peter Scott IUCN/SSC Action Plan Fund in 1990. The Fund supports Action Plan development and implementation. To date, more than 80 grants have been made from the Fund to SSC Specialist Groups. The SSC is grateful to the Sultanate of Oman for its confidence in and support for species conservation worldwide. The Council of Agriculture (COA), Taiwan has awarded major grants to the SSC's Wildlife Trade Programme and Conservation Communications Programme. This support has enabled SSC to continue its valuable technical advisory service to the Parties to CITES as well as to the larger global conservation community. Among other responsibilities, the COA is in charge of matters concerning the designation and management of nature reserves, conservation of wildlife and their habitats, conservation of natural landscapes, coordination of law enforcement efforts as well as promotion of conservation education, research and international cooperation.
    [Show full text]
  • AC19 Doc. 18.1
    AC19 Doc. 18.1 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ___________________ Nineteenth meeting of the Animals Committee Geneva (Switzerland), 18-21 August 2003 Biological and Trade Status of Sharks PROGRESS MADE BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE IPOA-SHARKS 1. This document has been prepared by the United States of America. 2. At the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP12) in November 2002, Parties adopted Decision 12.49 as follows: The Secretariat shall encourage CITES authorities of Parties to obtain information on IPOA-Sharks implementation from their national fisheries departments and report on progress at future meetings of the Animals Committee. 3. Accordingly, the Scientific Authority of the United States of America contacted the United States National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for updated information on the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks). Attached is the most recent NMFS report to our legislature on this subject. It details the progress made by the United States of America in developing and implementing the IPOA-Sharks. This report was also submitted to FAO as an official United States update on the matter. AC19 Doc. 18.1 – p. 1 AC19 Doc. 18.1 Annex (English only/ Seulement en anglais / Únicamente en inglés) Report to Congress Pursuant to the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-557) Prepared by the National Marine Fisheries Service December 2002 AC19 Doc. 18.1 – p. 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 Management Authority in the United States 1.2 Current Management of Sharks in the Atlantic Ocean 1.3 Current Management of Sharks in the Pacific Ocean 1.4 U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding Habits of Blacktip Sharks, Carcharhinus Limbatus, and Atlantic
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School 2002 Feeding habits of blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, in Louisiana coastal waters Kevin Patrick Barry Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Part of the Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Recommended Citation Barry, Kevin Patrick, "Feeding habits of blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, and Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, in Louisiana coastal waters" (2002). LSU Master's Theses. 66. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/66 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FEEDING HABITS OF BLACKTIP SHARKS, CARCHARHINUS LIMBATUS, AND ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARKS, RHIZOPRIONODON TERRAENOVAE, IN LOUISIANA COASTAL WATERS A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science in The Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences by Kevin P. Barry B.S., University of South Alabama, 1996 August 2002 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to first and foremost thank my major professor, Dr. Richard Condrey, for giving me the opportunity to pursue this graduate degree. His willingness to accompany me during sampling trips, his enthusiasm and interest in my research topic, and his guidance throughout my time here has forged more than a major professor/graduate student relationship; it has formed a friendship as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Diet of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae, from the North-Central Gulf of Mexico: Initial Findings
    Diet of Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, from the North-central Gulf of Mexico: Initial Findings Estudios Preliminares de la Dieta del Cazón Picudo Atlántico, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, de la Región Central del Norte del Golfo de México Régime Alimentaire du Requin Rhizoprionodon terraenovae dans la Partie Centre-Nord du Golfe du Mexique: Résultats Préliminaires JEREMY M. HIGGS1*, ERIC R. HOFFMAYER2, JILL M. HENDON1, and CHRISTOPHER M. BUTLER1 1The University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Center for Fisheries Research and Development, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39564 USA. *[email protected]. 2National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories, Pascagoula, Mississippi 39567 USA. EXTENDED ABSTRACT The Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, is a relatively small species of shark that inhabits the western Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Mexico (Compagno 1984) and is the most abundant shark species in the coastal waters of the northcentral Gulf of Mexico (ncGOM) (Parsons and Hoffmayer 2005, Hoffmayer et al. 2006, Parsons and Hoffmayer 2007). Atlantic sharpnose sharks can be caught with light fishing tackle and are frequently targeted by ncGOM recreational fishermen (Castro 2011). Atlantic sharpnose, like many shark species, are an upper trophic level predatory fish and play a key role in ecosystem dynamics and aid in maintaining the overall balance of the marine community (Cortés 1999). Understanding the diet of the Atlantic sharpnose shark can provide insight into the predator-prey interactions this species has in nearshore fish communities in the ncGOM. Atlantic sharpnose sharks were collected opportunistically from 2004 to 2010 during routine research cruises conducted in the Mississippi Sound, Chandeleur Sound, and adjacent waters.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Composition of the Largest Shark Fin Retail-Market in Mainland
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Species composition of the largest shark fn retail‑market in mainland China Diego Cardeñosa1,2*, Andrew T. Fields1, Elizabeth A. Babcock3, Stanley K. H. Shea4, Kevin A. Feldheim5 & Demian D. Chapman6 Species‑specifc monitoring through large shark fn market surveys has been a valuable data source to estimate global catches and international shark fn trade dynamics. Hong Kong and Guangzhou, mainland China, are the largest shark fn markets and consumption centers in the world. We used molecular identifcation protocols on randomly collected processed fn trimmings (n = 2000) and non‑ parametric species estimators to investigate the species composition of the Guangzhou retail market and compare the species diversity between the Guangzhou and Hong Kong shark fn retail markets. Species diversity was similar between both trade hubs with a small subset of species dominating the composition. The blue shark (Prionace glauca) was the most common species overall followed by the CITES‑listed silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), smooth hammerhead shark (S. zygaena) and shortfn mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus). Our results support previous indications of high connectivity between the shark fn markets of Hong Kong and mainland China and suggest that systematic studies of other fn trade hubs within Mainland China and stronger law‑enforcement protocols and capacity building are needed. Many shark populations have declined in the last four decades, mainly due to overexploitation to supply the demand for their fns in Asia and meat in many other countries 1–4. Mainland China was historically the world’s second largest importer of shark fns and foremost consumer of shark fn soup, yet very little is known about the species composition of shark fns in this trade hub2.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Late Miocene Gatun Formation of Panama Catalina Pimiento,1,2,3 Gerardo Gonza´ Lez-Barba,4 Dana J
    Journal of Paleontology, 87(5), 2013, p. 755–774 Copyright Ó 2013, The Paleontological Society 0022-3360/13/0087-755$03.00 DOI: 10.1666/12-117 SHARKS AND RAYS (CHONDRICHTHYES, ELASMOBRANCHII) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE GATUN FORMATION OF PANAMA CATALINA PIMIENTO,1,2,3 GERARDO GONZA´ LEZ-BARBA,4 DANA J. EHRET,5 AUSTIN J. W. HENDY,1,2 1 2 BRUCE J. MACFADDEN, AND CARLOS JARAMILLO 1Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA, ,[email protected].; ,[email protected].; ,[email protected].; 2Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Center for Tropical Paleoecology and Archaeology, Box 2072, Panama, Republic of Panama, ,[email protected].; 3Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; 4Museo de Historia Natural, Area de Ciencias del Mar, La Paz, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California Sur, AP 23080, Mexico, ,[email protected].; and 5Alabama Museum of Natural History, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487, USA, ,[email protected]. ABSTRACT—The late Miocene Gatun Formation of northern Panama contains a highly diverse and well sampled fossil marine assemblage that occupied a shallow-water embayment close to a purported connection between the Pacific and Atlantic (Caribbean) oceans. However, the diverse chondrichthyan fauna has been poorly documented. Based on recent field discoveries and further analysis of existing collections, the chondrichthyan fauna from this unit comprises at least 26 taxa, of which four species are extinct today. The remaining portion of the total chondrichthyan biodiversity has affinities with modern taxa and is therefore comprised of long-lived species. Based on known records of the modern geographic distribution range of the Gatun chondrichthyans, the fauna has mixed biogeographic affinities suggesting that around 10 million yr ago, a connection likely occurred between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Sharks of the Northern Gulf of Mexico So You Caught a Sand Shark?
    Common Sharks of the Northern Gulf of Mexico So you caught a sand shark? Estuaries are ecosystems where fresh and saltwater meet The northern Gulf of Mexico is home to several shark and mix. Estuaries provide nursery grounds for a wide species. A few of these species very closely resemble variety of invertebrate species such as oysters, shrimp, one another and are commonly referred to as and blue crabs along finfishes including croaker, red “sand sharks.” drum, spotted seatrout, tarpon, menhaden, flounder and many others. This infographic will help you quickly differentiate between the different “sand sharks” and also help you Because of this abundance, larger animals patrol coastal identify a few common offshore species. Gulf waters for food. Among these predators are a number of shark species. Sharpnose (3.5 ft) Blacknose (4ft) Finetooth (4ft) Blacktip (5ft) Maximum size of Human (avg. 5.5ft) . the coastal Spinner (6ft) sharks are Bull (8ft) depicted in scale Silky (9ft) Scalloped Hammerhead (10ft) Great Hammerhead (13ft) Maximum Adult Size Adult Maximum Tiger (15ft) 5 ft 10 ft 15 ft Blacktip shark Atlantic sharpnose shark Carcharhinus limbatus Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Spinner shark Easy ID: White “freckles” on the body Easy ID: Pointed snout, anal fin lacks a black tip Carcharhinus brevipinna Finetooth shark Blacknose shark Carcharhinus isodon Carcharhinus acronotus Easy ID: Black tip on anal fin present Easy ID: Distinct lack of black markings on fins, extremely pointed snout Easy ID: Distinct black smudge on the tip of the snout,
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding Habits of the Tiger Shark, Galeocerdo Cuvier, in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
    FEEDING HABITS OF THE TIGER SHARK, GALEOCERDO CUVIER, IN THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC OCEAN AND GULF OF MEXICO by Alexandra Aines Dr. Andre Boustany, Advisor Dr. Pat Halpin, Advisor April 28, 2017 Masters project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Environmental Management degree in the Nicholas School of the Environment of Duke University EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sharks are apex predators that structure marine communities through predation. Studies of diet and feeding patterns contribute to developing ecosystem models and it is critical that whenever possible, diet information specific to the area of concern is applied when developing an ecosystem model. Despite a number of studies conducted on tiger shark feeding, most comprehensive studies have been from the Pacific Ocean. There is little knowledge of the diet of tiger sharks in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, with most studies in that area being localized and anecdotal. This study examines diet by life stage and tests for the presence of ontogenetic shifts, as well as how the diet of these sharks might be changing under certain environmental conditions and geographic variations. This study reviews the information collected on tiger shark feeding to date. It summarizes the results from previous studies on tiger shark diet: what prey items were found in studies of Pacific tiger sharks, and results from the anecdotal studies in the Atlantic, most of which took place in the early to mid 1900s, included small sample sizes, and were conducted in localized regions. For this study 169 sharks were caught as part of the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • 251 Part 640—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf Of
    Fishery Conservation and Management Pt. 640 of an application for an ILAP or an ap- Sevengill, Heptranchias perlo peal of NMFS's denial of an initial lim- Sixgill, Hexanchus griseus ited access permit for swordfish. Smalltail, Carcharhinus porosus (12) Falsify information submitted Whale, Rhincodon typus White, Carcharodon carcharias under § 635.46(b) in support of entry of imported swordfish. TABLE 2 OF APPENDIX A TO PART 635± (13) Exceed the incidental catch re- DEEPWATER/OTHER SHARK SPECIES tention limits specified at § 635.24(b). Blotched catshark, Scyliorhinus meadi [64 FR 29135, May 28, 1999, as amended at 64 Broadgill catshark, Apristurus riveri FR 37705, July 13, 1999; 65 FR 42887, July 12, Chain dogfish, Scyliorhinus retifer Deepwater catshark, Apristurus profundorum 2000; 65 FR 47238, Aug. 1, 2000] Dwarf catshark, Scyliorhinus torrei Iceland catshark, Apristurus laurussoni APPENDIX A TO PART 635ÐSPECIES Marbled catshark, Galeus arae TABLES Smallfin catshark, Apristurus parvipinnis TABLE 1 OF APPENDIX A TO PART 635±OCEANIC Bigtooth cookiecutter, Isistius plutodus Blainville's dogfish, Squalus blainvillei SHARKS Bramble shark, Echinorhinus brucus A. Large coastal sharks: Broadband dogfish, Etmopterus gracilispinnis Caribbean lanternshark, Etmopterus hillianus 1. Ridgeback sharks: Cookiecutter shark, Isistius brasiliensis Sandbar, Carcharhinus plumbeus Cuban dogfish, Squalus cubensis Silky, Carcharhinus falciformis Flatnose gulper shark, Deania profundorum Tiger, Galeocerdo cuvieri Fringefin lanternshark, Etmopterus schultzi Great
    [Show full text]
  • Diet of the Milk Shark, Rhizoprionodon Acutus (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhinidae), from the Senegalese Coast by A
    Journal of Applied Ichthyology J. Appl. Ichthyol. (2013), 1–7 Received: August 13, 2012 © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH Accepted: October 10, 2012 ISSN 0175–8659 doi: 10.1111/jai.12156 Diet of the milk shark, Rhizoprionodon acutus (Chondrichthyes: Carcharhinidae), from the Senegalese coast By A. Ba1, M. S. Diop2, Y. Diatta3, D. Justine2 and C. T. Ba1 1Departement de Biologie Animale, Faculte des Sciences et Techniques, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar Fann, Senegal; 2Commission Sous-Regionale des Peches^ en Afrique de l’Ouest (CSRP), Dakar, Sen egal; 3Laboratoire de Biologie Marine, LABEP–AO, IFAN–Ch. A. Diop, Dakar, Senegal Summary (Compagno, 1984). Milk shark is a pelagic shark commonly The diet of the milk shark, Rhizoprionodon acutus, from the found up to 200 m-deep in tropical and sub-tropical estua- Senegalese coast (12°30′N–14°45′N) was investigated in 3600 rine and coastal waters (Compagno, 1984; Simpfendorfer, specimens with total lengths ranging from 44 to 113 cm for 2003) and is the most commonly and regularly landed small females and from 45 to 110 cm for males. Conducted from coastal shark on the Senegalese continental shelf (Capape May 2010 to April 2011, the study revealed that of the 3600 et al., 2006). Despite its wide distribution there is a paucity stomachs examined, 577 contained food (16.03%). Cumula- of information on milk shark feeding habits and diet (White tive prey diversity curves reached a stable level at 175 stom- et al., 2004; Patokina and Litvinov, 2005). Therefore, the achs and thus the sample size was large enough to describe objectives of this study were to: (i) describe the dietary com- the overall milk shark diet.
    [Show full text]