First Confirmed Record of the Smalltooth Sand Tiger, Odontapis Ferox, in Galicia (NW Spain)

Abstract

The smalltooth sand tiger shark Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810) appears to have an extensive and fragmented distribution in tropical and warm-temperate worldwide oceans. One female of O. ferox was caught and released by a small-scale fishery vessel in Ría de Arousa (Northwest of Spain), subsequently stranded still alive on the coast (42°33’18.4"N 8°49’18.3"O) after a few hours. The individual (336 cm total length, weight ~ 300 kg) was identified based on a collection of features including the characteristic dentition, body morphology and by molecular assignment. This is the first confirmed record of O. ferox in Galician waters. This finding complements the knowledge of the geographic distribution and occurrence of this rare and sparse species in the Northeastern Atlantic.

Northerly range expansion and first confirmed records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox, in the United Kingdom and Ireland

“…Unlike the other two individuals, this shark was a mature male, with a total length of 293 cm (222 cm precaudal length and 248 cm fork length). A cluster of copepods were found on the right-hand side of the head and inside the mouth, possibly Anthosoma crissum (as reported by Mucientes et al, 2023). Externally, several cuts and lacerations to the fins were observed (Figure S1b), notably at the base of the dorsal fin, which appeared to be recent in nature.…”

“…These three new records are therefore believed to be the most northerly occurrences of the species and are the first records for the United Kingdom and Ireland. This extends the northern range of the species from $49 N to more than 52 N. In recent years, a series of new records and occurrences for the species have been published from around the world, including in the Caribbean (Tavares et al, 2019), northwest Spain (Mucientes et al, 2023), North Atlantic (Higgs et al, 2022), South Atlantic (Richardson et al, 2019), the Mediterranean in Albania (Soldo et al, 2022), Cyprus (Akbora et al, 2019), and Turkey (Kabasakal & Bayrı, 2019). The drivers of this global series of occurrences are unclear but are most likely linked to climate-induced changes in horizontal and vertical distributions, and/or population recovery.…”

“…The animal visually appeared to be in good nutritional condition. However, no evidence of recent feeding was recorded, with it having an empty stomach, consistent with either a compromised individual or recent migration (Mucientes et al, 2023)—although the stomach had been damaged during the evisceration and was open to the environment and therefore no firm conclusions could be drawn. Small, sparsely distributed tapeworms were found within the spiral valve—these may potentially represent Lithobothrium gracile infestation (Dailey, 1971), although formal identification is pending.…”

“…However, the necropsies found limited evidence of any significant deterioration in body condition. Alternatively, Mucientes et al (2023) cited the lack of stomach contents in O. ferox as an indicator of recent migration. An alternative hypothesis is that they were caught and released or discarded in the vicinity by a fishing vessel.…”

“…The animal visually appeared to be in good nutritional condition. However, no evidence of recent feeding was recorded, with it having an empty stomach, consistent with either a compromised individual or recent migration (Mucientes et al, 2023)-although the stomach had been damaged during the evisceration and was open to the environment and F I G U R E 1 Locations of the Odontaspis ferox strandings in Lepe, United Kingdom (A), Wexford, Ireland (B) in March 2023 and the third stranding in Lyme Bay, United Kingdom (C) in May 2023. Sharks were $275 (female), 433 (female), and 293 cm (male) total length, respectively.…”