First record of neonatal sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1827) (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) from the Southern Adriatic Sea

Abstract

This paper is describing a new finding of Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1927) caught at the insular shelves off the Sazan Island at the depth of 120 m, which is the southernmost record for a sandbar shark in the Adriatic Sea. The individual had a partially healed umbilical scar and is considered as neonatal. Examined shark appeared in good body condition with showed no macroscopic signs of diseases or macroscopic parasites. Detailed morphometric measurements are compared with four neonate and juvenile specimens from the north and central Adriatic Sea and are provided in the paper. Despite it is not possible to establish a certain conclusion on whether our specimen was born in the studied area or elsewhere, presented finding provides the very first evidence that neonatal sandbar sharks can be found along the coast of Albania. Knowing the exact locations and movements of both neonates and juveniles is of high importance for the effective long-term in-situ conservation.

Unveiling Diversity in Shark Fin Characteristics: A Comparative Study Across Order Carcharhiniforms

“…In the present study, the average posterior margin depth (D.Bh) in the dorsal fin of Scyliorhinus canicula is lower than that recorded for the same species from the Mediterranean Sea (Barrull et al, 2002). On the other hand, the average of the anterior margin (D.E), posterior margin (D.I) and posterior margin depth (D.Bh) in the dorsal fin of Mustelus mustelus is higher than that recorded for the same species from the Black Sea In the current study, the dorsal fin measurements of Carcharhinus plumbeus are higher than the results recorded for the same species from the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Consoli et al, 2004) and the Middle Adriatic Sea (Dragičević et al, 2010). In the present study, the average of the dorsal fin height (D.K) and posterior margin depth (D.Bh) of Prionace glauca is higher than that recorded from the Canadian Atlantic waters (McKBwzln & Tibbo, 1964).…”

Unexpected Records of Newborn and Young Sharks in Ligurian and North Tyrrhenian Seas (North-Western Mediterranean Basin)

“…Adults can reach 240-300 cm in total length (TL), generally 220 cm in TL, while newborns are 45-75 cm in TL, usually 5-12 in number [23,36]. In the Mediterranean Sea, the size at birth of C. plumbeus ranges from 45 [44,45] to 65 cm [44][45][46]. The species grows larger in western Atlantic waters compared with Mediterranean waters, as the maximum size at birth recorded was 72 cm [30], and it was 75 cm for the overall northern Atlantic [47].…”

First documented record of neonate angular roughshark Oxynotus centrina from the eastern Adriatic Sea

“…Neonates and juveniles represent important lifecycle forms in elasmobranch conservation, whose occurrences can lead to the identification of critical habitats as are nursery areas. Such cases have already been seen in the Adriatic Sea, for example in the case of the sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1827) (Lipej et al 2008;Jambura et al, 2021). Hence, in order to gain more insight into the way of life of the rare O. centrina and contribute to its conservation, more monitoring and research efforts are highly needed.…”