Mississippi's Sharks and Rays an Educational Guide for Mississippi

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Mississippi’s Sharks and Rays An educational guide for Mississippi Aquarium

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Mississippi’s Sharks and Rays An educational guide for Mississippi Aquarium

Edited by Marcus Drymon, PhD1,2 Illustrations by Bryan Huerta-Beltran1 Species data compiled by Matthew Jargowsky1,2 and Emily Seubert1

1Mississippi State University Extension Service 2Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium

MASGP-21-016 Contents 2 Using This Guide...... 3 Mississippi Hammerheads Bonnethead...... 24 Anatomy of a Shark...... 4 Scalloped hammerhead...... 26 Anatomy of a Ray...... 5 Great hammerhead...... 28 Mississippi Aquarium Sharks Mississippi Deepwater Sharks Nurse shark...... 6 Gulper shark...... 30 Sandbar shark...... 8 Sharpnose sevengill shark...... 32 Sand tiger shark...... 10 Goblin shark...... 34 Common Mississippi Sharks Mississippi Aquarium Rays Atlantic sharpnose shark...... 12 Cownose ray...... 36 Blacknose shark...... 14 Atlantic stingray...... 38 Blacktip shark...... 16 Southern stingray...... 40 Mississippi Apex Predators Other Mississippi Rays Bull shark...... 18 Bluntnose stingray...... 42 Tiger shark...... 20 Smooth butterfly ray...... 44 Shortfin mako...... 22 Lesser electric ray...... 46 Conservation and Management...... 48 Using This Guide The waters surrounding Mississippi are home to an exciting diversity of sharks, skates, and rays (collectively called elasmobranchs). We’ve developed this book to showcase a small portion of this diversity and highlight the sharks and rays you may see at Mississippi Aquarium. Below are a few things to keep in mind as you go through this book. First, we’ve included the common and Latin (or scientific) name for each species. Then, alongside each color illustration, we’ve shown an example of a single tooth from the upper jaw (sharks) or an entire set of jaws (rays). We’ve also described the average size at maturity (i.e., size at adulthood) and the maximum reported total length (for sharks) or disc width (“wingspan,” for rays) for Gulf of Mexico specimens. To best illustrate the maximum reported total length of each shark and the maximum reported disc width of each ray, we’ve displayed a silhouette of each species relative to a 6-foot-tall human. Finally, we’ve presented a color-coded “population status” graphic to indicate whether the current status of each population is good (green), fair (yellow), poor (red), or unknown (gray). To develop this graphic, we used data from NOAA Fisheries for populations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, instead of the IUCN, which provides global population trends. While current as of 2021, it’s important to remember that the statuses of U.S. shark and ray populations are constantly changing (hopefully for the better!).

We hope this book increases your appreciation for the incredible diversity of sharks and rays off our coast. Enjoy! 3 Anatomy 4 of a Shark First dorsal fin Second dorsal fin Caudal fin (upper lobe) First dorsal fin spine Second dorsal fin spine Snout Caudal keel

Nares Caudal fin Labial Gill Anal fin (lower lobe) furrows slits Pelvic fin Claspers (males only) Pectoral fin

Total length Anatomy Disc width of a Ray Snout Spiracle

Pectoral fin Tail

Thorns

Pelvic fin Dorsal tail fold

Sting 5 Mississippi 6 Nurse shark Aquarium Ginglymostoma cirratum Sharks

A. Nasal barbels (slender, whisker-like sensory organs) B. Wide head, giving it a tadpole-like appearance C. First dorsal fin farther back on body Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 6 ft 7 in (at maturity), 9 ft (max) Size: 6 ft 7 in (at maturity), 9 ft (max) Habitat & Diet: Shallow coastal waters; feeds on fishes and invertebrates Habitat & Diet: Shallow coastal waters; feeds on fishes & invertebrates Interesting Fact: Coloration ranges from yellowish tan to dark brown Interesting Fact: Tough, thick skin has been used as leather

Mississippi Nurse shark Mississippi Nurse shark AquariumAquarium 9 GinglymostomaGinglymostoma cirratumcirratum SharksSharks 7 Mississippi 8 Sandbar shark Aquarium Carcharhinus plumbeus Sharks

C A

A. Snout shorter than mouth width B. Large first dorsal fin C. Interdorsal ridge Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 6 6 ft ft (at (at maturity), maturity), 77 ftft 88 inin (max)(max) HabitatHabitat & & Diet: Diet: CoastalCoastal waters;waters; feedsfeeds onon smallsmall fishes InterestingInteresting Fact: Fact: UndertakesUndertake longlong seasonalseasonal migrations migrations

MississippiMississippi SandbarSandbar shark shark AquariumAquarium 11 CarcharhinusCarcharhinus plumbeus plumbeus SharksSharks 9 Mississippi 10 Sand tiger shark Aquarium Carcharias taurus Sharks

A. Sharp, jagged teeth B. First dorsal fin located far back on body C. Secondary dorsal fin nearly as large as first dorsal fin Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 6 ft 7 in (at maturity), 9 ft 10 in (max) Size: 6 ft 7 in (at maturity), 9 ft 10 in (max) Habitat & Diet: Shallow water, often found near bottom; feeds on fishes Habitat & Diet: Shallow water, often found near bottom; feeds on fishes Interesting Fact: Siblings eat each other in the womb (termed adelphophagy) Interesting Fact: Siblings eat each other in the womb (termed adelphophagy)

Mississippi Sand tiger shark Mississippi Sand tiger shark AquariumAquarium 7 CarchariasCarcharias taurus taurus SharksSharks 11 Common 12 Atlantic sharpnose shark Mississippi Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Sharks

C A

A. Well-pronounced labial furrows (grooves around the mouth) B. White spots (adults only) C. Pre-anal ridges Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 2 ft 6 in (at maturity), 3 ft 7 in (max) Size: 2 ft 6 in (at maturity), 3 ft 7 in (max) Habitat & Diet: Inshore and offshore; feeds on small fishes and invertebrates Habitat & Diet: Inshore & offshore; feeds on small fishes & invertebrates Interesting Fact: Most common coastal shark in the northern Gulf of Mexico Interesting Fact: Most common coastal shark in the northern Gulf of Mexico Common Atlantic sharpnose shark Common Atlantic sharpnose shark Mississippi Rhizoprionodon terraenovae MississippiSharks 1313 Rhizoprionodon terraenovae Sharks Common 14 Blacknose shark Mississippi Carcharhinus acronotus Sharks

B C A

A. Black-tipped nose B. Large eyes C. Copper color along body Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 3 ft 5 in (at maturity), 5 ft (max) Size: 3 ft 5 in (at maturity), 5 ft (max) Habitat & Diet: Shallow, warm coastal waters; feeds on small fishes Habitat & Diet: Shallow, warm coastal waters; feeds on small fishes Interesting Fact: Sometimes mistaken for a lemon shark because of its color Interesting Fact: Sometimes mistaken for a lemon shark because of its color Common Blacknose shark Common Blacknose shark Mississippi Carcharhinus acronotus MississippiSharks 1515 Carcharhinus acronotus Sharks Common 16 Blacktip shark Mississippi Carcharhinus limbatus Sharks

C B

A. Nose shorter than mouth width B. Stout body C. Black tips on all fins except anal fin Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 4 ft Size:8 in 4(at ft 8maturity), in (at maturity), 6 ft 83 ft in (max) (max) Size: 4 ft 8 in (atHabitat maturity), & Diet: Nearshore, 8 ft (max) subtropical coastal waters; feeds on fishes Habitat & Diet: Nearshore, subtropical coastal waters; feeds on fishes Habitat & Diet:Interesting Nearshore, Fact: subtropical Often seen with coastal a species waters;-specific feedsparasite on on fishesdorsal region Interesting Fact: Often seen with a species-specific parasite on dorsal region Interesting Fact: Often seen with a species-specific parasite on dorsal regionCommon Blacktip shark Mississippi 17 BlacktipCarcharhinus shark limbatus Sharks Common Blacktip shark CommonMississippi Carcharhinus limbatus MississippiSharks 17 17 Carcharhinus limbatus Sharks Mississippi 18 Bull shark Apex Carcharhinus leucas Predators

A. Short, blunt snout B. Small eyes C. Stocky body Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 7 ft 5 in (at maturity), 13 ft (max) Habitat & Diet: Coastal waters, including freshwater; feeds on fishes, stingrays & sharks Interesting Fact: Juveniles prefer estuaries & rivers, adults inhabit saltwater Size: 7 ft 5 inSize: (at maturity),7 ft 5 in (at 13 maturity), ft (max) 9 ft 4 in (max) Habitat & Diet: Coastal waters, including freshwater; feeds on fishes,Mississippi stingrays, and sharks Habitat & Diet: CoastalBull waters, shark including freshwater; feeds on fishes, stingrays Apex& sharks 19 InterestingCarcharhinus Fact: Juveniles leucas prefer estuaries and rivers; adults inhabitPredators saltwater Interesting Fact: Juveniles prefer estuaries & rivers, adults inhabit saltwater

Mississippi Mississippi Bull sharkBull shark Apex Apex19 CarcharhinusCarcharhinus leucas leucas Predators Predators 19 Mississippi 20 Tiger shark Apex Galeocerdo cuvier Predators

B C A

A. Short, blunt snout B. Dorsal surface covered with dark spots/bands C. Well developed caudal keel Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 9 ft 10 in (at maturity), 15 ft (max) Size: 9.8 ft 10 in (at maturity), 15 ft (max) Habitat & Diet: Subtropical and tropical waters; feeds on sea turtles, mammals, fishes, and sharks Habitat & Diet: Subtropical & tropical waters; feed on sea turtles, mammals, fishes & sharks Interesting Fact: Teeth distinctly curved and serrated for tearing through prey Interesting Fact: Teeth are distinctly curved & serrated for tearing through prey

Mississippi Tiger shark MississippiApex Tiger shark Apex 21 Galeocerdo cuvier Predators 21 Galeocerdo cuvier Predators Mississippi 22 Shortfin mako Apex Isurus oxyrinchus Predators

A C

A. Conical snout B. Blue color along body C. Lunate tail Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 6 ft 6 in (at maturity), 13 ft (max) Size: 6 ft 6 in (at maturity), 13 ft (max) Habitat & Diet: Subtropical and tropical waters; feeds on fishes and squids Habitat & Diet: Subtropical & tropical waters; feeds on fishes & squid Interesting Fact: Considered the fastest shark in the ocean (nearly 40 mph) Interesting Fact: Considered the fastest shark in the ocean (nearly 40 mph)

Mississippi Shortfin mako MississippiApex Shortfin mako Apex 23 Isurus oxyrinchus Predators 23 Isurus oxyrinchus Predators 24 Mississippi Bonnethead Hammerheads Sphyrna tiburo

A. Flattened, shovel-shaped head B. Speckles on body C. Brownish or greenish-gray color Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 2 ft 4 in (at maturity), 5 ft (max) Size: 2 ft 4 in (at maturity), 5 ft (max) Habitat & Diet: Shallow inshore waters; feeds mostly on small invertebrates Habitat & Diet: Shallow inshore waters; feeds mostly on small invertebrates Interesting Fact: Teeth are specially modified molars for consuming crabs Interesting Fact: Teeth are specially modified molars for consuming crabs

Bonnethead Mississippi Mississippi Bonnethead Hammerheads 25 SphyrnaSphyrna tiburotiburo Hammerheads 25 26 Mississippi Scalloped hammerhead Hammerheads Sphyrna lewini

A. Notches near eyes on head (cephalofoil) B. Pelvic fins with straight rear margins C. Long and low secondary dorsal fin Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 6 ft 7 in (at maturity), 14 ft (max) Size: 6 ft 7Size: in (atHabitat 6 maturity),ft 7 &in Diet: (at maturity), Coastal14 ft (max) & oceanic 11 ft waters;6 in (max) feeds on stingrays, fishes & small sharks Habitat & Diet:HabitatInteresting Coastal & Diet: &Fact: Coastaloceanic Sometimes andwaters; oceanicswim feeds on theirwaters; on sides stingrays, feeds on fishes stingrays, & small fishes, sharks and small sharks InterestingInteresting Fact: Sometimes Fact: Sometimes swim on their swim sides on their sides Mississippi Scalloped hammerhead 27 Sphyrna lewini Hammerheads Mississippi ScallopedScalloped hammerhead hammerhead Mississippi27 HammerheadsHammerheads SphyrnaSphyrna lewini lewini 27 28 Mississippi Great hammerhead Hammerheads Sphyrna mokarran

A. Nearly straight head (cephalofoil) B. Extremely high, curved (i.e., falcate) first dorsal fin C. Pelvic fins with curved rear margins Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 10 10 ft ft (at (at maturity), maturity), 1816 ftft (max) (max) Size: 10 ft (at maturity), 18 ft (max) HabitatHabitat & & Diet: Diet: Shallow Shallow coastalcoastal waters; waters; feeds feeds on onstingrays, stingrays, smaller smaller sharks sharks, & fishes and fishes Habitat & Diet: Shallow coastal waters; feeds on stingrays, smaller sharks & fishes InterestingInteresting Fact: Fact: TheThe largest hammerhead hammerhead species species in the in theworld world Interesting Fact: The largest hammerhead species in the world

Mississippi Great hammerhead 29 Great hammerhead HammerheadsMississippi Mississippi GreatSphyrna hammerhead mokarran Hammerheads 29 SphyrnaSphyrna mokarran mokarran Hammerheads 29 Mississippi 30 Gulper shark Deepwater Centrophorus granulosus Sharks

B B A

A. Green eyes B. Spines on each dorsal fin C. No anal fin Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 3 ft 3 2 ft in 2 (at in (atmaturity), maturity), 4 ft 4 6 ft in 6 (max) in (max) HabitatHabitat & Diet: & Diet: Deep Deep waters; waters; feeds feeds on smallon small fishes fishes & squid and squids InterestingInteresting Fact: Fact: Large, Large, broad, broad, leaf leaf-like-like scales scales (known (known as dermal as dermal denticles denticles))

MississippiMississippi GulperGulper shark shark DeepwaterDeepwater 31 CentrophorusCentrophorus granulosus granulosus SharksSharks 31 Mississippi 32 Sharpnose sevengill shark Deepwater Heptranchias perlo Sharks

A C

A. Narrow, tapering snout B. Seven gill slits C. Only one dorsal fin, located far back on body Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 2 ft 210 ft in 10 (at in (atmaturity), maturity), 3 ft 3 8 ft in 8 (max)in (max) HabitatHabitat & Diet: & Diet: Deep, Deep, subtropical subtropical & warm and warm waters; waters; feeds feeds on squids on squids & small and fishessmall fishes Interesting Fact: Most shark species have five gill slits, but this species has seven Interesting Fact: Most shark species have five gill slits, but this species has seven

Sharpnose sevengill shark MississippiMississippi Sharpnose sevengill shark DeepwaterDeepwater 33 HeptranchiasHeptranchias perlo perlo SharksSharks 33 Mississippi 34 Goblin shark Deepwater Mitsukurina owstoni Sharks

A C

A. Long, blade-like snout B. Jaws that can extend outward for prey capture C. Long caudal fin that lacks a lower lobe Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: Size Size at at maturity maturity unknown, unknown; estimates estimates suggest suggest 16 16 ft ftas asmax max size size HabitatHabitat & & Diet: Diet: Deep Deep waters; waters; feeds feeds on on fishes, fishes, squids squids, & crustaceans and crustaceans InterestingInteresting Fact: Fact: Monotypic Monotypic - the(the only only species species in in its its family family)

MississippiMississippi GoblinGoblin sharkshark DeepwaterDeepwater 35 MitsukurinaMitsukurina owstoniowstoni SharksSharks 35 Mississippi 36 Cownose ray Aquarium Rhinoptera bonasus Rays A

C A. Wide head B. Fleshy “cephalic” lobes used for prey capture C. One to two stings at base of tail Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 2 2 ft ft 1 1 in in (at (at maturity), maturity), 3 3ft ft 11 11 in in (max) (max) HabitatHabitat & & Diet: Diet: Shallow Shallow coastal coastal waters; waters; feeds feeds on on bivalves, bivalves, crustaceans crustaceans, & marine and marine worms worms InterestingInteresting Fact: Fact: Seasonally Seasonally migrate migrates in schoolsin schools of upof upto 10,000to 10,000 in the in theGulf Gulf

MississippiMississippi CownoseCownose rayray AquariumAquarium 37 RhinopteraRhinoptera bonasusbonasus RaysRays 37 Mississippi 38 Atlantic stingray Aquarium Hypanus sabinus Rays A

B C A. Pointed snout B. Well developed pelvic fins C. Row of small thorns Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 10 10 in in (at (at maturity), maturity), 2 2ft ft (max) (max) HabitatHabitat & & Diet: Diet: Coastal Coastal waters, waters, including including freshwater; freshwater; feeds feeds on onsmall small invertebrates invertebrates & fishes and fishes InterestingInteresting Fact: Fact: Only Only U.S. U.S. shark/ray shark/ray with with permanent permanent freshwater freshwater populations populations (Florida) (Florida)

MississippiMississippi AtlanticAtlantic stingraystingray AquariumAquarium 39 HypanusHypanus sabinussabinus RaysRays 39 Mississippi 40 Southern stingray Aquarium Hypanus americanus Rays

A. Diamond-shaped body B. Well developed ventral tail fold B C C. Poorly developed dorsal tail fold Good Fair Poor Unknown Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 2 ft 66 inin (at(at maturity),maturity), 5 5ft ft (max) (max) HabitatHabitat & Diet:Diet: NearshoreNearshore & and coastal coastal waters; waters; feeds feeds on crustaceans on crustaceans & fishes and fishes InterestingInteresting Fact:Fact: Tourists Tourists often often swim swim with with this this species species when when visiting visiting the theCaribbean Caribbean

Mississippi SouthernSouthern stingraystingray AquariumMississippi 41 Hypanus americanus RaysAquarium Hypanus americanus Rays 41 Other 42 Bluntnose stingray Mississippi Hypanus say Rays

A. Blunt snout B. Well developed ventral tail fold B C C. Well developed dorsal tail fold Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 11 ftft 77 inin (at(at maturity),maturity), 2 ft 7 in (max) HabitatHabitat && Diet:Diet: Shallow coastal waters; feeds on crustaceanscrustaceans &and fishes fishes InterestingInteresting Fact:Fact: Frequently has up to 3three stings stings

OtherOther Bluntnose stingraystingray MississippiMississippi 43 Hypanus say say RaysRays 43 Other 44 Smooth butterfly ray Mississippi Gymnura lessae Rays

A. Wide pectoral fins B B. No sting C C. Short tail Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size:Size: 11 ftft 77 inin (at(at maturity),maturity), 4 ft (max) HabitatHabitat && Diet:Diet: Coastal waters; feeds on fishes InterestingInteresting Fact:Fact: AmbushAmbush predator that uses its pectoral finsfins toto strikestrike andand stunstun fishfish preyprey

OtherOther Smooth butterflybutterfly rayray MississippiMississippi 45 Gymnura lessaelessae RaysRays 45 Other 46 Lesser electric ray Mississippi Narcine bancroftii Rays

A. Kidney-shaped electric organs C B. Dark ring-like markings C. Two tall dorsal fins Good Fair Poor Unknown

Good Fair Poor Unknown

Size: 11 in (at maturity), 2 ft 1 in (max) Size: 11 in (at maturity), 2 ft 1 in (max) Habitat & Diet: Shallow coastal waters; feeds on marine worms Habitat & Diet: Shallow coastal waters; feeds on marine worms Interesting Fact: Can generate up to 56 volts of electricity, which it uses for defense Interesting Fact: Can generate up to 56 volts of electricity, which it uses for defense

Other Other Lesser electric ray Mississippi Lesser electric ray Mississippi 47 Narcine bancroftii Rays 47 Narcine bancroftii Rays Conservation and Management The individuals included in this guide are only a portion of the diverse shark and ray species that live off the Mississippi coast. In spite of their many sizes, shapes, and colors, most sharks and rays share a similar set of biological characteristics that include slow growth, late age at maturity, and long lifespan. Unfortunately, these “life history” characteristics mean that once depleted, it can be difficult for shark and ray populations to recover.

Overharvest, habitat loss, and pollution are some of the threats currently facing sharks and rays. Collecting baseline life history data is the first step toward managing and conserving these species. Fortunately, Mississippi Aquarium has partnered with researchers at Mississippi State University to help fill some of the data gaps for local sharks and rays. Research partnerships like this one are critical to ensuring the future sustainability of the sharks and rays that call Mississippi home.

48 This guide was funded in part by Mississippi Aquarium. Publication 3650 (06-21) “ThisCopyright guide 2021 by was Mississippi funded State University. in part Allby rights Mississippi reserved. This Aquarium.” publication may be copied and distributed without alteration for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension +Service. MSUMississippi Disclaimer State University text, is an equalpub opportunitynumber, institution. etc., here Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. GARY B. JACKSON, Director Photo provided by Shannon Lutkins Photography