Data

Ecology of the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in Shark Bay.

Australian Ocean Data Network
Heithaus, Michael R. (Point of contact) Luke Edwards (Distributes)
Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://catalogue.aodn.org.au:443/geonetwork/srv/api/records/516811d7-cd0b-207a-e0440003ba8c79dd&rft.title=Ecology of the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in Shark Bay.&rft.identifier=516811d7-cd0b-207a-e0440003ba8c79dd&rft.publisher=Australian Ocean Data Network&rft.description=Tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, are apex predators in a variety of nearshore ecosystems throughout the world. This study investigates the biology of tiger sharks in the shallow seagrass ecosystem of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Tiger sharks (n = 252) were the most commonly caught species (94%) compared to other large sharks. Tiger sharks ranged from 148-407cm TL. The overall sex ratio was biased towards females (1.8:1), but the sex ratio of mature animals (> 300cm TL) did not differ from 1:1. Contrary to previous accounts, tiger sharks were caught more often in all habitats during daylight hours than at night. Tiger shark catch rates were highly correlated with water temperature and were highest when water temperatures were above 19°C. The seasonal abundance of tiger sharks is correlated to both water temperature and the occurrence of their main prey: sea snakes and dugongs, Dugong dugon. Stomach contents analysis indicated that sea turtles and smaller elasmobranchs were also common prey. The importance of major seagrass grazers (dugongs and green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas) in the diet of tiger sharks suggests the possibility that these sharks are keystone predators in this ecosystem.Maintenance and Update Frequency: unknownStatement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008. Originally sourced from several databases compiled by WA DEC Marine Science Branch of projects relevant to the marine parks of WA. Variable metadata information was available.&rft.creator=Anonymous&rft.date=2017&rft.coverage=westlimit=112.6; southlimit=-26.7; eastlimit=114.4; northlimit=-24.8&rft.coverage=westlimit=112.6; southlimit=-26.7; eastlimit=114.4; northlimit=-24.8&rft_rights=No Restrictions&rft_subject=biota&rft_subject=Tiger Sharks&rft_subject=Sea Turtles&rft_subject=Dugong&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Shark Bay, WA&rft_subject=Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Predation&rft_subject=Keystone Predator&rft_subject=Predator-Prey Interactions&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
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Brief description

Tiger sharks, Galeocerdo cuvier, are apex predators in a variety of nearshore ecosystems throughout the world. This study investigates the biology of tiger sharks in the shallow seagrass ecosystem of Shark Bay, Western Australia. Tiger sharks (n = 252) were the most commonly caught species (94%) compared to other large sharks. Tiger sharks ranged from 148-407cm TL. The overall sex ratio was biased towards females (1.8:1), but the sex ratio of mature animals (> 300cm TL) did not differ from 1:1. Contrary to previous accounts, tiger sharks were caught more often in all habitats during daylight hours than at night. Tiger shark catch rates were highly correlated with water temperature and were highest when water temperatures were above 19°C. The seasonal abundance of tiger sharks is correlated to both water temperature and the occurrence of their main prey: sea snakes and dugongs, Dugong dugon. Stomach contents analysis indicated that sea turtles and smaller elasmobranchs were also common prey. The importance of major seagrass grazers (dugongs and green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas) in the diet of tiger sharks suggests the possibility that these sharks are keystone predators in this ecosystem.

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Maintenance and Update Frequency: unknown
Statement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008. Originally sourced from several databases compiled by WA DEC Marine Science Branch of projects relevant to the marine parks of WA. Variable metadata information was available.

Notes

Credit
M. Heithaus
Credit
Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada

Modified: 06 2008

Data time period: 2006-11-18

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114.4,-24.8 114.4,-26.7 112.6,-26.7 112.6,-24.8 114.4,-24.8

113.5,-25.75

text: westlimit=112.6; southlimit=-26.7; eastlimit=114.4; northlimit=-24.8

Subjects
Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Predation | Dugong | Keystone Predator | Marine Features (Australia) | Shark Bay, WA | Predator-Prey Interactions | Sea Turtles | Tiger Sharks | biota |

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uri : http://www.fiu.edu/~heithaus/SBERP.htm

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  • global : 516811d7-cd0b-207a-e0440003ba8c79dd
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