The Biology of the Nurse Shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, Off the Florida East Coast and the Bahama Islands

Castro, José Ignacio Fernández del

doi:10.1023/a:1007698017645

Cited by 116 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The coloration of newly born N. ferrugineus is a consistent sandy brown-grey colour (Figure 1g). This is significantly different to G. cirratum whose juveniles have been described as often covered in small dark spots (Castro, 2000). The abdomen of newly born neonates is still swollen, suggesting they retain some yolk for nourishment.…”

Section: Fishmentioning

confidence: 62%

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First record of recurring reproduction of captive tawny nurse sharks Nebrius ferrugineus

Cocks¹,

Mee²,

Shepherd³

2019

Journal of Fish Biology

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Between 2008 and 2015, a group of tawny nurse sharks Nebrius ferrugineus reproduced successfully in a captive environment on the central Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Births occurred on an annual basis, except for 2013. Of 12 confirmed birthing events, the most recent (2015) was observed and recorded in detail, which further contributes to the limited reproductive knowledge of this monotypic species.

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Section: Fishmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…Within Figure 1(d), a sign of sexual maturity (Castro, 2000). This episode might not have been actual copulation behaviour, but the result of a newly sexually maturing male asserting its dominance over the smaller individuals.…”

Section: Fishmentioning

confidence: 98%

First record of recurring reproduction of captive tawny nurse sharks Nebrius ferrugineus

Cocks¹,

Mee²,

Shepherd³

2019

Journal of Fish Biology

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show abstract

“…The reproductive system of G. cirratum has the same anatomical features shared by other elasmobranchs, given the conservative nature of the morphology of female reproductive tract in this group (McMillan 2007). The ovaries of the nurse shark are asymmetric (Castro 2000), being only the right ovary functional. The gonad is 5% to 10% the weight of the epigonal organ in immature specimens (Fänge & Mattisson 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…According to Castro (2000), this species, which may reach up to 4m long, is viviparous lecithotrophic, with a litter size from 10 to 20 embryos per uterus and a gestation period ranging from 131 days to 240 days (Castro 2000, Carrier et al 2004. The reproductive cycle is biennial, with an estimated vitellogenesis period of 18 months (Castro 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological description of ovary and uterus of the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) caught off at the Fortaleza coast, Northeast Brazil

et al. 2019

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The nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum (Bonnaterre, 1778) is one of the most studied species of elasmobranchs. However, the knowledge of their reproductive biology is still relatively rare, particularly in the western South Atlantic. This study aimed to describe the morphology of the uterus and the ovary of G. cirratum, based on specimens caught off at the Fortaleza/CE coast, northeast Brazil. Samples were collected from September 2012 to June 2013, from regular landings of artisanal fishing, which commercialize this species freely. A total of ten females were collected. The methodologies followed for analyzing the ovaries and uterus of those females included both macroscopic and histological analysis. G. cirratum has internal type ovary morphology, with invaginations of connective tissue, which defines compartments and separate oocyte groups in ovigerous lots. The epithelium lining the ovary changes from simple columnar ciliated in the area without ovigerous lots, which turns into a simple cubic epithelium in the coating portion of the epigonal organ where ovarian tissue is absent. The uterine mucosa has secretory cells denoted by Alcian Blue staining, indicating the production of mucopolysaccharides, even in immature individuals. This lecithotrophic shark has a uterine vascularized mucosa that is one characteristic of viviparous elasmobranch species.

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“…are largely piscivorous (Huveneers et al 2007a). The nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum (Bonnaterre, 1788) is also primarily piscivorous (Castro 2000). Where several species of carpetsharks co-exist in the waters of eastern Australia (in particular northern NSW, where B. waddi, Orectolobus spp.…”

Section: Reproductive Biology and Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough's shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908

Kyne

Compagno

Stead

et al. 2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Abstract. Despite increasing research effort and conservation focus on sharks, small species of little commercial value are often overlooked, although they make a considerable contribution to global diversity. The poorly known Colclough's shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi, is naturally rare to uncommon and is encountered only irregularly. Collating all known records (n ¼ 50), we review the species' geographic and bathymetric distribution, habitat, reproductive biology and diet. All but four B. colcloughi records are from within a core distribution of ,28 latitude on the Australian east coast. Bathymetric distribution is from less than 4 to 217 m depth, with all but three records from less than 100 m depth. The species shelters on rocky reefs during the day and is thought to forage nocturnally around reefs and adjacent substrates. B. colcloughi is viviparous, with litter sizes of 6-7. Mature males and females have been observed from 61.0-and 54.5-cm total length, respectively. Gravid females have been collected in austral winter months. Dietary analysis indicates a predominantly piscivorous diet. Our results are placed in the context of existing threats and future research and management directions, demonstrating that shark species with low abundances and restricted ranges, such as B. colcloughi, require a suite of management arrangements to ensure long-term population viability.

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The Biology of the Nurse Shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, Off the Florida East Coast and the Bahama Islands

Cited by 116 publications

References 8 publications

First record of recurring reproduction of captive tawny nurse sharks Nebrius ferrugineus

First record of recurring reproduction of captive tawny nurse sharks Nebrius ferrugineus

Morphological description of ovary and uterus of the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) caught off at the Fortaleza coast, Northeast Brazil

Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough's shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908

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