Sharks and Rays That Interact with Tuna Fisheries in the Indian Ocean

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Sharks and Rays That Interact with Tuna Fisheries in the Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Commission des Thons de l’Océan Indien These identification cards are produced by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), to help improve catch data and statistics on sharks and rays that interact with tuna fisheries in the Indian Ocean. With a better understanding of shark stocks and with better statistics, regional fisheries managers can ensure that sharks and rays are fished in a sustainable manner in the Indian Ocean. The most likely users of the cards are fisheries observers, samplers, fishing masters and crew on board fishing vessels targeting tuna, tuna-like species and sharks in the Indian Ocean. Fisheries training institutions and fishing communities are other potential users. This publication was made possible through financial support provided by the <partner>. For further information contact: Indian Ocean Tuna Commission Le Chantier Mall PO Box 1011, Victoria, Seychelles Phone: +248 422 54 94 Fax: +248 422 43 64 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.iotc.org This publication is based on that developed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community entitled «Shark identication in Pacific tropical offshore fisheries» (conception: M. Blanc / design: A.Desurmont and T. Luciani) Layout: Julien Million and Jipé Le-Bars. Scientific advice: Dr. Evgeny Romanov and Dr. Charles Anderson. Acknowledgements to Dr. Rui Coelho, Dr. Bernard Seret and Dr. David Wilson for their valuable inputs. Illustrations © R.Swainston/anima.net.au. One shark illustration - Odontaspis noronhai - by L. Hata reproduced courtesy of SPC. Four ray illustrations – Manta alfredi, Manta birostris, Mobula mobular, Mobula tarapacana – by J.F. Dejounannet are reproduced courtesy of the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) and the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN). © Copyright: IOTC and SPC, 2012 How to use this card? Common English name FAO Scientific name Each card contains: J —Japanese name C —simplified Chinese / traditional Chinese names - the scientific name of the species as F —French name well as its common names in English, S —Spanish name First dorsal French, Spanish, Japanese, traditional fin Second Precaudal pit dorsal fin Eye and simplified Chinese, Upper lobe - its FAO code Caudal fin - its maximum total length in centimeters. - an illustration of the species and some Snout Lower lobe Mouth Anal fin Gill slit Pelvic fin distinctive features Pectoral fin Terminology Head - interdorsal ridge: ridge of skin between Total Length the first and second dorsal fins Pectoral fin with straight Pectoral fin with falcate posterior margin posterior margin - serrated: saw-like Insertion Insertion Free rear tip Free rear tip Common English name FAO Scientific name J —Japanese name C —simplified Chinese / traditional Chinese names F —French name S —Spanish name Head fin Ventral mouth Eye Spiracle Gill slits Pectoral fin Dorsal ridge Disc length Pelvic fin Dorsal fin Spine Tail Disc with Thresher sharks - Alopiidae Requiem sharks - Carcharhinidae Threshers sharks are easily identifiable with the One of the largest familly of sharks with 54 species. Many caracteristic shape of the caudal fin, its upper lobe of these species are similar and their identification can be length being equal to the rest of the body. These sharks difficult. The most important identification features are the are widely distributed in temperate and tropical seas tooth shapes, the position of dorsal fins and the presence Manta rays and devilrays - Mobulidae around the globe. or abscence of an interdorsal ridge. Manta rays and devilrays are the largest rays and are widely distributed in tropical and warm temperate seas. Their body is wider than long with one cephalic lobe on each side of the head. Hammerhead sharks - Sphyrnidae Whale sharks - Rhindodontidae Hammerheads are easily identifiable with the Only one species for this shark which is the largest caracteristic shape of their head which is similar to shark in the ocean. They are planktonic feeders and a hammer. These species are widely distributed in occur in all tropical waters around the globe. tropical and warm temperate waters. Stingrays - Dasyatidae Stingrays include around 80 species, which disc shape can vary from circular to rhomboidal. The tail is missing dorsal, anal or caudal fin Mackerel sharks - Lamnidae Kitefin sharks - Dalatiidae and has in general one or more stinging spines. Mackerel sharks are large sharks with a conical and Kitefin sharks are small ciyindrical shark, missing Sintgrays are widely distributed in tropical and pointed snout, small second dorsal and anal fins, the anal fin. They are widely distributed and mostly temperate seas, as well as in some freshwaters large lateral keels and prominent precaudal pits. they deepwater sharks. habitat. are widely distributed in tropical and temperate seas. Pelagic thresher PTH Alopias pelagicus J —ニタリ C —浅海长尾鲨 / 淺海狐鮫 F —renard pélagique S —zorro pelágico No groove on head Big eye Thresher Sharks No labial furrow Side silvery or bluish Round tip Max. length: 390cm PROHIBITION OF RETENTION Thresher ALV Alopias vulpinus J —マオナガ C —狐形长尾鲨 / 狐鮫 F —renard Thresher Sharks S —zorro No groove on head Pectoral, anal and dorsal fins often with white tip Small eye White colour of belly extending above pectoral and pelvic fins Pointed tip Labial furrows Max. length: 570cm PROHIBITION OF RETENTION Bigeye thresher BTH Alopias superciliosus J —ハチワレ C —大眼长尾鲨 / 深海狐鮫 F —renard à gros yeux Dorsal fin closer to pelvic fins S —zorro ojón than to pectoral fins Groove on head Thresher Sharks Huge eyes extending on the dorsal Light belly colour head surface only below pectoral fins No labial furrow Max. length: 585cm PROHIBITION OF RETENTION Great hammerhead SPK Sphyrna mokarran J —ヒラシュモクザメ Hammerhead Sharks C —无沟双髻鲨 / 八鰭丫髻鮫 First falcate dorsal fin very high F —grand requin-marteau S —cornuda gigante Origin of second dorsal fin over origina of anal fin Strongly falcate pelvic fin Anterior margin of head nearly straight with small indentation in the middle Max. length: 600cm Scalloped hammerhead SPL Sphyrna lewini J —アカシュモクザメ C —路氏双髻鲨 / 紅肉丫髻鮫 F —requin-marteau halicorne S —cornuda común Origin of second dorsal fin over middle of anal fin base Hammerhead Sharks Straight or slightly falcate pelvic fin Anterior margin of head curved with middle marked dent and a distinct lobe at each end Max. length: 350cm Smooth hammerhead SPZ Sphyrna zygaena J —シロシュモクザメ Hammerhead Sharks C —鎚头双髻鲨 / 丫髻鮫 F —requin-marteau commun S —cornuda cruz Origin of second dorsal fin over middle of anal fin base Anterior margin of head curved median indentation absent or not well marked Max. length: 350cm Winghead shark EUB Eusphyra blochii J —インドシュモクザメ C —丁字双髻鲨 / 丁字雙髻鯊 F —requin-marteau planeur S —cornuda planeadora Hammerhead Sharks Head width nearly half of body length Max. length: 190cm BSH Blue shark Sharks — with bluish colouring Prionace glauca J —ヨシキリザメ C —大青鲨 / 鋸峰齒鮫 F —peau bleue S —tiburón azul Long pectoral fins Upper teeth with jagged edges Head long and snout rounded Max. length: 380cm Porbeagle POR Lamna nasus J —ニシネズミザメ C —鼠鲨 / 鼠鯊 White rear tip F —requin-taupe commun S —marrajo sardinero Strong keel head Long gill slits Teeth with lateral cusplets Sharks — with bluish colouring Head and snout pointed Max. length: 325cm SMA Shortfin mako Sharks — with bluish colouring Isurus oxyrinchus J —バケアオザメ C —尖吻鲭鲨 / 長臂灰鯖鮫 F —taupe bleue S —marrajo dientuso head Pectoral fins shorter than head Upper and lower lobes of tail nearly the same length Upper teeth Head conical and with no jagged edges snout pointed Max. length: 395cm Longfin mako LMA Isurus paucus J —アオザメ C —长鳍鲭鲨 / 灰鯖鮫 F —petite taupe S —marrajo carite head Very long pectoral fins, as long as head Upper and lower lobes of tail nearly the same length Head pointed Upper teeth but snout rounded Sharks — with bluish colouring with no jagged edges Max. length: 420cm Silvertip shark ALS Carcharhinus albimarginatus Sharks — with white tips J —ツマジロ C —白边真鲨 / 白邊鰭白眼鮫 F —requin pointe blanche The back edge (not only the tips) of all fins is white S —tiburón de puntas blancas Max. length: 275cm Oceanic whitetip shark OCS Carcharhinus longimanus J —ヨゴレ C —长鳍真鲨 / 污斑白眼鮫 F —requin océanique S —tiburón oceánico First dorsal and pectoral fins clearly Sharks — with white tips broad and rounded, with spotted white tip Max. length: 300cm Whitetip reef shark TRB Triaenodon obesus Sharks — with white tips J —ネムリブカ C —灰三齿鲨 / 鱟鮫 F —requin corail Tips always white S —tiburón coralero ñato Tips sometimes white Max. length: 170cm Blacktip shark CCL Carcharhinus limbatus J —カマストガリザメ C —黑梢真鲨 / 黑邊鰭白眼鮫 F —requin bordé Dark-to-black tips S —tiburón macuira on most fins No interdorsal ridge Sharks — with grey colouring Narrow-cusped serrated teeth Max. length: 250cm CCE Bull shark Sharks — with grey colouring Carcharhinus leucas J —オオメジロザメ C —公牛鲨 / 公牛白眼鮫 Stocky to very heavybody F —requin-bouledogue S —tiburón sarda No interdorsal ridge Fins with dusky tips but Large angular not heavily marked pectoral fins broadly triangular Max. length: 340cm serrated upper teeth Grey reef shark AML Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos J —オグロメジロザメ C —黑尾真鲨 / 黑印白眼鮫 Sometimes white-edge F —requin dagsit, gris de récif S —tiburón de arrecifes No interdorsal ridge Broad black posterior margin of caudal fin Sharks — with grey colouring narrow-cusped serrated Max. length: 255cm teeth in both jaws FAL Silky shark Sharks — with grey colouring Carcharhinus falciformis J —クロトガリザメ C —镰状真鲨 / 平滑白眼鮫 Very low second dorsal fin F —requin soyeux with very long free rear tip S —tiburón jaquetón Interdorsal ridge Origin of first dorsal fin clearly behind the rear tip of pectoral fin Beware: pectoral, ventral, anal and caudal fins often with dark or dusky tips Max. length: 330cm Very common in offshore fisheries Blacktip reef shark BLR Carcharhinus melanopterus J —ツマグロ C —乌翅真鲨 / 污翅白眼鮫 Distinct black markings at the tip of the F —requin pointes noires first dorsal fin and bottom lobe of tail S —tiburón de puntas negras No interdorsal ridge Sharks — with grey colouring Max.
Recommended publications
  • Review of the Fishery Status for Whaler Sharks (Carcharhinus Spp.) in South Australian and Adjacent Waters
    Review of the Fishery Status for Whaler Sharks (Carcharhinus spp.) in South Australian and adjacent waters Keith Jones FRDC Project Number 2004/067 January 2008 SARDI Aquatic Sciences Publication No. F2007/000721-1 SARDI Research Series No. 154 1 Review of the fishery status for whaler sharks in South Australian and adjacent waters. Final report to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation. By: G.Keith Jones South Australian Research & Development Institute 2 Hamra Ave, West Beach SA 5022 (Current Address: PIRSA (Fisheries Policy) GPO Box 1625 Adelaide, SA 5001. Telephone: 08 82260439 Facsimile: 08 82262434 http://www.pirsa.saugov.sa.gov.au DISCLAIMER The author warrants that he has taken all reasonable care in producing this report. The report has been through the SARDI internal review process, and has been formally approved for release by the Chief Scientist. Although all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure quality, SARDI Aquatic Sciences does not warrant that the information in this report is free from errors or omissions. SARDI does not accept any liability for the contents of this report or for any consequences arising from its use or any other reliance placed upon it. © Copyright Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and South Australian Research & Development Institute, 2005.This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth), no part of this publication may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific permission of the copyright owners. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission. The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation plans, invests in and manages fisheries research and development throughout Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Hemiscyllium Ocellatum), with Emphasis on Branchial Circulation Kåre-Olav Stensløkken*,1, Lena Sundin2, Gillian M
    The Journal of Experimental Biology 207, 4451-4461 4451 Published by The Company of Biologists 2004 doi:10.1242/jeb.01291 Adenosinergic and cholinergic control mechanisms during hypoxia in the epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum), with emphasis on branchial circulation Kåre-Olav Stensløkken*,1, Lena Sundin2, Gillian M. C. Renshaw3 and Göran E. Nilsson1 1Physiology Programme, Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1041, NO-0316 Oslo Norway and 2Department of Zoophysiology, Göteborg University, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden and 3Hypoxia and Ischemia Research Unit, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Griffith University, PMB 50 Gold coast Mail Centre, Queensland, 9726 Australia *Author for correspondence (e-mail: [email protected]) Accepted 17 September 2004 Summary Coral reef platforms may become hypoxic at night flow in the longitudinal vessels during hypoxia. In the during low tide. One animal in that habitat, the epaulette second part of the study, we examined the cholinergic shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum), survives hours of severe influence on the cardiovascular circulation during severe hypoxia and at least one hour of anoxia. Here, we examine hypoxia (<0.3·mg·l–1) using antagonists against muscarinic the branchial effects of severe hypoxia (<0.3·mg·oxygen·l–1 (atropine 2·mg·kg–1) and nicotinic (tubocurarine for 20·min in anaesthetized epaulette shark), by measuring 5·mg·kg–1) receptors. Injection of acetylcholine (ACh; –1 ventral and dorsal aortic blood pressure (PVA and PDA), 1·µmol·kg ) into the ventral aorta caused a marked fall in heart rate (fH), and observing gill microcirculation using fH, a large increase in PVA, but small changes in PDA epi-illumination microscopy.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Demographic Analysis of the Dusky Shark, Carcharhinus Obscurus, in the Northwest Atlantic
    W&M ScholarWorks Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects 2004 Status and Demographic Analysis of the Dusky Shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, in the Northwest Atlantic Jason G. Romine College of William and Mary - Virginia Institute of Marine Science Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd Part of the Biostatistics Commons, Fresh Water Studies Commons, and the Oceanography Commons Recommended Citation Romine, Jason G., "Status and Demographic Analysis of the Dusky Shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, in the Northwest Atlantic" (2004). Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects. Paper 1539617821. https://dx.doi.org/doi:10.25773/v5-zm7f-h314 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, & Master Projects at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Status and demographic analysis of the Dusky shark, Carcharhinus obscurus, in the Northwest Atlantic A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the School of Marine Science The College of William and Mary in Virginia In Partial fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Jason G. Romine 2004 APPROVAL SHEET This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of The requirements for the degree of Master of Science Jason G. KOmine Approved, August 2004 NloW A. Musick, Ph.D. Committee Chairman/Advisor Kim N. Holland, Ph.D Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology University of Hawaii Kaneohe, Hawaii onn E. Olney, Ph.D. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................ v LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The White Shark (Carcharodon Carcharias) in the Ancient Peruvian Ceremonial Centre of Huaca Pucllana
    International Journal of Osteoarchaeology Int. J. Osteoarchaeol. 26: 114–120 (2016) Published online 9 March 2014 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/oa.2401 The White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in the Ancient Peruvian Ceremonial Centre of Huaca Pucllana A. ALTAMIRANO-SIERRAa* AND P. VARGAS-NALVARTEb a Áreas Costeras y Recursos Marinos (ACOREMA), Pisco, Peru b Museo de Sitio Huaca Pucllana, Calle General Borgoño cuadra 8 S/N, Lima 18, Peru ABSTRACT New data regarding the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) at the archaeological complex Huaca Pucllana (200–700 AD) are presented on the basis of the recent discovery of teeth in ritual offering features. Previous information of this species from fossil, archaeological and modern records is reviewed. The use of the white sharks as an El Niño indicator is rejected. Past and present white shark distribution in the South East Pacificis reviewed, and the extermination of pinniped colonies as a factor in the poor modern record is discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key words: Carcharodon carcharias; ENSO; Huaca Pucllana; Lima culture; palaeoecology; Peru Introduction investigated this culture include Julio C. Tello (1999), Pedro Villar Córdova (1935), Max Uhle The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a large apex (1970), Thomas C. Patterson (1966) and Isabel Flores predator species distributed in most of the world’s (1981, 2005). Huaca Pucllana was mainly a village of oceans. Its habitat comprises coastal and offshore farmers and fishermen. Inhabitants of this site built waters of continental and insular shelves. This shark large adobe pyramids, where they worshiped deities species has a wide range of prey items, including birds, symbolized by figures associated with the sea and cetaceans, pinnipeds, osteichthyians, chondricthyians marine life (waves, sharks, sea lions, etc.).
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing Interacting Global Change Stressors Via Experimental Studies on Sharks
    W&M ScholarWorks VIMS Articles Virginia Institute of Marine Science 10-16-2020 The power struggle: assessing interacting global change stressors via experimental studies on sharks Ian A. Bouyoucos Sue-Ann Watson Serge Planes Colin A. Simpfendorfer Gail D. Schwieterman Virginia Institute of Marine Science See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, and the Marine Biology Commons Recommended Citation Bouyoucos, Ian A.; Watson, Sue-Ann; Planes, Serge; Colin A. Simpfendorfer; Schwieterman, Gail D.; and et al, The power struggle: assessing interacting global change stressors via experimental studies on sharks (2020). Scientific Reports, 10, 19887. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76966-7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at W&M ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in VIMS Articles by an authorized administrator of W&M ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Ian A. Bouyoucos, Sue-Ann Watson, Serge Planes, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Gail D. Schwieterman, and et al This article is available at W&M ScholarWorks: https://scholarworks.wm.edu/vimsarticles/2009 www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN The power struggle: assessing interacting global change stressors via experimental studies on sharks Ian A. Bouyoucos1,2*, Sue‑Ann Watson1,3, Serge Planes2,4, Colin A. Simpfendorfer5, Gail D. Schwieterman6, Nicholas M. Whitney7 & Jodie L. Rummer1 Ocean warming and acidifcation act concurrently on marine ectotherms with the potential for detrimental, synergistic efects; yet, efects of these stressors remain understudied in large predatory fshes, including sharks.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 a Petition to List the Oceanic Whitetip Shark
    A Petition to List the Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) as an Endangered, or Alternatively as a Threatened, Species Pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and for the Concurrent Designation of Critical Habitat Oceanic whitetip shark (used with permission from Andy Murch/Elasmodiver.com). Submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service September 21, 2015 By: Defenders of Wildlife1 535 16th Street, Suite 310 Denver, CO 80202 Phone: (720) 943-0471 (720) 942-0457 [email protected] [email protected] 1 Defenders of Wildlife would like to thank Courtney McVean, a law student at the University of Denver, Sturm college of Law, for her substantial research and work preparing this Petition. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 4 II. GOVERNING PROVISIONS OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT ............................................. 5 A. Species and Distinct Population Segments ....................................................................... 5 B. Significant Portion of the Species’ Range ......................................................................... 6 C. Listing Factors ....................................................................................................................... 7 D. 90-Day and 12-Month Findings ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Catch Composition of the Western Australian Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries, 1994 to 1999
    FISHERIES RESEARCH REPORT NO. 146, 2003 Catch composition of the Western Australian temperate demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries, 1994 to 1999 R. McAuley and C. Simpfendorfer Fisheries Research Division WA Marine Research Laboratories PO Box 20 NORTH BEACH Western Australia 6920 Fisheries Research Report Titles in the fisheries research series contain technical and scientific information that represents an important contribution to existing knowledge, but which may not be suitable for publication in national or international scientific journals. Fisheries Research Reports may be cited as full publications. The full citation is: McAuley, R. and Simpfendorfer C. 2003. Catch composition of the Western Australian temperate demersal gillnet and demersal longline fisheries, 1994 to 1999, Fisheries Research Report No. 146, Department of Fisheries, Western Australia, 78 pp. Numbers 1-80 in this series were issued as Reports. Numbers 81-82 were issued as Fisheries Reports, and from number 83 the series has been issued under the current title. Enquiries Department of Fisheries 3rd floor The Atrium 168-170 St George’s Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Telephone (08) 9482 7333 Facsimile (08) 9482 7389 Website: http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/res Published by Department of Fisheries, Perth, Western Australia. November 2003. ISSN: 1035 - 4549 ISBN: 1 877098 36 1 An electronic copy of this report will be available at the above website where parts may be shown in colour where this is thought to improve clarity. Fisheries Research in Western Australia The Fisheries Research Division of the Department of Fisheries is based at the Western Australian Marine Research Laboratories, PO Box 20, North Beach (Perth), Western Australia, 6920.
    [Show full text]
  • A Rhinopristiform Sawfish (Genus Pristis) from the Middle Eocene (Lutetian) of Southern Peru and Its Regional Implications
    Carnets Geol. 20 (5) E-ISSN 1634-0744 DOI 10.4267/2042/70759 A rhinopristiform sawfish (genus Pristis) from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) of southern Peru and its regional implications Alberto COLLARETA 1, 2 Luz TEJADA-MEDINA 3, 4 César CHACALTANA-BUDIEL 3, 5 Walter LANDINI 1, 6 Alí ALTAMIRANO-SIERRA 7, 8 Mario URBINA-SCHMITT 7, 9 Giovanni BIANUCCI 1, 10 Abstract: Modern sawfishes (Rhinopristiformes: Pristidae) are circumglobally distributed in warm wa- ters and are common in proximal marine and even freshwater habitats. The fossil record of modern pristid genera (i.e., Pristis and Anoxypristis) dates back to the early Eocene and is mostly represented by isolated rostral spines and oral teeth, with phosphatised rostra representing exceptional occurren- ces. Here, we report on a partial pristid rostrum, exhibiting several articulated rostral spines, from middle Eocene strata of the Paracas Formation (Yumaque Member) exposed in the southern Peruvian East Pisco Basin. This finely preserved specimen shows anatomical structures that are unlikely to leave a fossil record, e.g., the paracentral grooves that extend along the ventral surface of the rostrum. Ba- sed on the morphology of the rostral spines, this fossil sawfish is here identified as belonging to Pristis. To our knowledge, this discovery represents the geologically oldest known occurrence of Pristidae from the Pacific Coast of South America. Although the fossil record of pristids from the East Pisco Basin spans from the middle Eocene to the late Miocene, sawfishes are no longer present in the modern cool, upwelling-influenced coastal waters of southern Peru. Given the ecological preferences of the extant members of Pristis, the occurrence of this genus in the Paracas deposits suggests that middle Eocene nearshore waters in southern Peru were warmer than today.
    [Show full text]
  • Reef Fishes of the Bird's Head Peninsula, West
    Check List 5(3): 587–628, 2009. ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES Reef fishes of the Bird’s Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia Gerald R. Allen 1 Mark V. Erdmann 2 1 Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum. Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, Western Australia 6986. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Conservation International Indonesia Marine Program. Jl. Dr. Muwardi No. 17, Renon, Denpasar 80235 Indonesia. Abstract A checklist of shallow (to 60 m depth) reef fishes is provided for the Bird’s Head Peninsula region of West Papua, Indonesia. The area, which occupies the extreme western end of New Guinea, contains the world’s most diverse assemblage of coral reef fishes. The current checklist, which includes both historical records and recent survey results, includes 1,511 species in 451 genera and 111 families. Respective species totals for the three main coral reef areas – Raja Ampat Islands, Fakfak-Kaimana coast, and Cenderawasih Bay – are 1320, 995, and 877. In addition to its extraordinary species diversity, the region exhibits a remarkable level of endemism considering its relatively small area. A total of 26 species in 14 families are currently considered to be confined to the region. Introduction and finally a complex geologic past highlighted The region consisting of eastern Indonesia, East by shifting island arcs, oceanic plate collisions, Timor, Sabah, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and widely fluctuating sea levels (Polhemus and the Solomon Islands is the global centre of 2007). reef fish diversity (Allen 2008). Approximately 2,460 species or 60 percent of the entire reef fish The Bird’s Head Peninsula and surrounding fauna of the Indo-West Pacific inhabits this waters has attracted the attention of naturalists and region, which is commonly referred to as the scientists ever since it was first visited by Coral Triangle (CT).
    [Show full text]
  • White-Tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon Obesus) Michelle S
    White-tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) Michelle S. Tishler Common Name There are several common names for the Triaenodon obesus, which usually describes the “white tips” on their dorsal and caudal fins. Common names include: White-tip Reef Shark, Blunthead Shark, Light-Tip Shark and Reef Whitetip. Names in Spanish Cazón, Cazón Coralero Trompacorta and Tintorera Punta Aleta Blanca. Taxonomy Domain Eukarya Kingdom Anamalia Phylum Chordata Class Chondrichthyes Order Carcharhiniformes Family Carcharhinidae Genus Triaenodon Species obesus Nearest relatives Sharks are cartilaginous fishes in the class Chondrichthyes with skates, rays and other sharks. Within the family Carcharhinidae (requiem sharks), the White-tip Reef Shark is related to the Galapagos Shark, Bull Shark, Oceanic Whitetip, Tiger Shark and Blue Sharks. The White-tip Reef Shark does not share their genus name with any other organism. Island They are found amongst the reefs surrounding most or all of the Galapagos Islands. Geographic range White-tip Sharks range geographically from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Galapagos, Cocos, South Africa, Red Sea, Pakistan and etc. to primarily residing in the Indo-West Pacific region. (Red region indicates distribution of White-tip Reef Shark) Habitat Description As described in their name, White-tip Reef Sharks live amongst coral reefs with a home range of a couple square miles. They are also found in sandy patches and deeper waters. During the day these sharks tend to rest on the seabed or within caves and crevices. Physical description White-tip Reef sharks are named after the white tip on the dorsal (first and sometimes second) fins, and caudal fin lobes.
    [Show full text]
  • Copper Shark
    FACT SHEET COPPER SHARK Carcharhinus brachyurus Family: Carcharhinidae Other common names: Bronze whaler, Koperhaai A large shark with a bluntly pointed, broad snout. Grey to bronze in colour, white below. Rear edges of the pectoral fins have dusky to Description black tips. Similar in appearance to the dusky shark but no inter- dorsal ridge. Widespread cosmopolitan species found in warm-temperate oceans including the south-western and eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, south-eastern and south-western Indian Ocean and the south- Distribution western and south-eastern Pacific. In southern African waters it is found from Durban to Angola but it is rare on the west coast between Cape Point and Walvis Bay. Occurs over the continental shelf from the surf-zone to at least 100 m Habitat depth either close to the surface or near the bottom. Juveniles are found in coastal waters in the Eastern and Western Cape. Almost exclusively fish eaters, especially small bait fish such as Feeding sardines and mackerel but will also feed on squid, small sharks and rays. A migratory species but the exact movement patterns are as yet Movement unclear. Penetrates KwaZulu-Natal waters in winter during the annual sardine run. www.saambr.org.za They only reach maturity at a size of 180-190 cm precaudal length and an age of 20-22 years. Mating normally occurs in late winter and Reproduction pupping occurs mainly in summer. Pupping probably takes place in the cooler waters of the Eastern and Western Cape. They exhibit placental viviparity and give birth to 7-20 pups. In South African waters they can reach a maximum size of 312 cm Age and growth total length and a weight of up to 203 kg.
    [Show full text]
  • Reef Fishes of the Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia
    Check List 5(3): 587–628, 2009. ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES Reef fishes of the Bird’s Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia Gerald R. Allen 1 Mark V. Erdmann 2 1 Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum. Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, Western Australia 6986. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Conservation International Indonesia Marine Program. Jl. Dr. Muwardi No. 17, Renon, Denpasar 80235 Indonesia. Abstract A checklist of shallow (to 60 m depth) reef fishes is provided for the Bird’s Head Peninsula region of West Papua, Indonesia. The area, which occupies the extreme western end of New Guinea, contains the world’s most diverse assemblage of coral reef fishes. The current checklist, which includes both historical records and recent survey results, includes 1,511 species in 451 genera and 111 families. Respective species totals for the three main coral reef areas – Raja Ampat Islands, Fakfak-Kaimana coast, and Cenderawasih Bay – are 1320, 995, and 877. In addition to its extraordinary species diversity, the region exhibits a remarkable level of endemism considering its relatively small area. A total of 26 species in 14 families are currently considered to be confined to the region. Introduction and finally a complex geologic past highlighted The region consisting of eastern Indonesia, East by shifting island arcs, oceanic plate collisions, Timor, Sabah, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and widely fluctuating sea levels (Polhemus and the Solomon Islands is the global centre of 2007). reef fish diversity (Allen 2008). Approximately 2,460 species or 60 percent of the entire reef fish The Bird’s Head Peninsula and surrounding fauna of the Indo-West Pacific inhabits this waters has attracted the attention of naturalists and region, which is commonly referred to as the scientists ever since it was first visited by Coral Triangle (CT).
    [Show full text]