Geographic variation in reproduction between two populations of the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo

A study of two populations of the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo was conducted in Florida Bay and Tampa Bay, Florida from September 1982 to December 1986. The maintenance of sharks in captivity at the Marine Science and Conservation Center in the Florida Keys, and the collection of sharks from wid...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental biology of fishes 1993-10, Vol.38 (1-3), p.25-35
Main Author: PARSONS, G. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha. Pisces
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Sphyrna tiburo
Vertebrata
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Summary:A study of two populations of the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo was conducted in Florida Bay and Tampa Bay, Florida from September 1982 to December 1986. The maintenance of sharks in captivity at the Marine Science and Conservation Center in the Florida Keys, and the collection of sharks from widely separated geographical areas allowed the examination of latitudinal variation in reproduction. Several reproductive parameters were found to differ: (1) size at maturation, (2) age at maturation, (3) time of fertilization, (4) rate of embryonic development, (5) size at birth, (6) the energetic investment in producing offspring, (7) gestation period, and (8) the incidence of infertility. Average litter size and maximum age of females was not different between the two populations. These contrasting life history parameters are not easily explained. Food limitation and seasonal differences between the two areas are considered as factors controlling reproduction in these populations. It is noteworthy that the average size of adult females in Tampa Bay is significantly greater than that of Florida Keys sharks. This size difference may be important in explaining the observed differences in reproduction.
ISSN:0378-1909
1573-5133
DOI:10.1007/BF00842901