Mating behavior of the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), as revealed by citizen science in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean
Nenhuma Miniatura disponível
Data
2022-01-01
Autores
Garla, Ricardo Clapis
Veras, Leonardo B.
Garrone-Neto, Domingos [UNESP]
Título da Revista
ISSN da Revista
Título de Volume
Editor
Resumo
Introduction: Knowledge on the mating behavior and habitat requirements of large sharks, including the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris, is scarce, hampering conservation efforts. Objective: To describe an area in the Equatorial Atlantic used as a mating ground by N. brevirostris, as well as part of the species pre-copulatory behaviors based on citizen reports. Methods: Between 2004 and 2019, recreational divers, dive guides and rangers from the Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FEN) recorded courtship behaviour, females with mating scars, pregnant females, and adult males. Results: N. brevirostris was recorded mating in shallow waters (0.5-2 m deep) during the austral summer (December to March). A specific location in the MPA, Buraco da Raquel lagoon, was the main aggregation and mating site for adult N. brevirostris in FEN. Conclusions: Citizen science records allowed the identification of shallow waters as key sites for the reproduction of this shark in FEN. Results highlight the potential of citizen science contributions to knowledge of sharks in nature and show MPAs as essential for habitat conservation of sharks with decreasing populations along the Brazilian coast, such as N. brevirostris. We present management recommendations to protect N. brevirostris there and elsewhere.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Carcharhinidae, elasmobranch, Fernando de Noronha, lemon shark, marine protected areas, mating scars
Como citar
Revista de Biologia Tropical, v. 70, n. 1, p. 702-712, 2022.