A Perspective on Future Tiger Shark Research

Holland, Kim N.; Anderson, James M.; Coffey, Daniel M.; Holmes, Bonnie J.; Meyer, Carl G.; Royer, Mark A.

doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00037

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…By simultaneously tracking many males and females of varying life stages within the same region, we observed sex and size-specific differences in distribution and movement rates, as well as associations with large-scale habitat features. While we encountered limitations due to sample size (i.e., comparatively few adult sharks tagged), these data help address knowledge gaps identified for this species [ 17 ], as well as provide baseline information to support future studies in the GoM region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, dietary and stable isotope analyses on samples of tiger sharks captured off South Africa demonstrated the increased reliance of this species on offshore waters with increasing size, coinciding with a more pelagic and variable diet [55]. Off eastern Australia, males are apparently absent from nearshore shark catches at the onset of maturity, which has been associated with a transition to deeper offshore waters at this life stage [17]. As such, these offshore excursions may represent preparatory movements for more of an off-shelf lifestyle typical of adults [19].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The tiger shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier ) is a globally distributed, highly mobile species with established coastal and open-ocean movement patterns that have been revealed via satellite telemetry [ 17 ]. Previous studies have noted variable patterns of space use in tiger sharks, ranging from resident to highly migratory behavior [ 17 ]. The majority of this work occurred around the Hawaiian Islands in the eastern central Pacific Ocean where tiger sharks typically display site fidelity to core islands but also move between islands for foraging purposes [ 18 – 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study demonstrated the capacity of tiger sharks to traverse tri-national boundaries within the GoM, particularly during the winter [ 39 ]. However, the former study did not include: 1) an assessment of sex-based differences in distribution patterns, 2) quantification of movement rates, and 3) potential interactions with large-scale habitat features, all of which have been identified as information-deficient areas in need of additional research [ 17 ]. Therefore, the goals of this study were to address these aforementioned knowledge gaps for tiger sharks in the GoM.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Movement patterns and habitat use of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) across ontogeny in the Gulf of Mexico

et al. 2020

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The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is globally distributed with established coastal and open-ocean movement patterns in many portions of its range. While all life stages of tiger sharks are known to occur in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), variability in habitat use and movement patterns over ontogeny have never been quantified in this large marine ecosystem. To address this data gap we fitted 56 tiger sharks with Smart Position and Temperature transmitting tags between 2010 and 2018 and examined seasonal and spatial distribution patterns across the GoM. Additionally, we analyzed overlap of core habitats (i.e., 50% kernel density estimates) among individuals relative to large benthic features (oil and gas platforms, natural banks, bathymetric breaks). Our analyses revealed significant ontogenetic and seasonal differences in distribution patterns as well as across-shelf (i.e., regional) and sex-linked variability in movement rates. Presumably sub-adult and adult sharks achieved significantly higher movement rates and used off-shelf deeper habitats at greater proportions than juvenile sharks, particularly during the fall and winter seasons. Further, female maximum rate of movement was higher than males when accounting for size. Additionally, we found evidence of core regions encompassing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration designated Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (i.e., shelf-edge banks) during cooler months, particularly by females, as well as 2,504 oil and gas platforms. These data provide a baseline for future assessments of environmental impacts, such as climate variability or oil spills, on tiger shark movements and distribution in the region. Future

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%