The behaviour of sharks

Bres, Mimi

doi:10.1007/bf00045229

Cited by 88 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 70 publications

(90 reference statements)

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“…There were also overlaps which enabled behavioural analysis of different life-history stages at each site and the development of a partial ethogram. While it is not possible to completely eliminate the potential effects of observers when developing an ethogram for sharks due to their sensory capabilities (Bres 1993), in this study, the presence of research divers did not overtly alter grey nurse shark behaviour, as possible responses accounted for < 0.1% of observation time. This is consistent with observations from a recent study documenting interactions between grey nurse sharks and tourist scuba divers at 4 sites (Smith et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

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Behaviour of aggregated grey nurse sharks Carcharias taurus off eastern Australia: similarities and differences among life-history stages and sites

Smith¹,

Scarpaci²,

Louden³

et al. 2015

Endang. Species. Res.

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Stereo-video photogrammetry was used to document swimming and non-swimming behaviours of various life-history stages of the grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus at 8 east Australian aggregation sites (during daylight) in the absence of scuba diving tourism and fishers. Swimming behaviours included hovering, milling, and active swimming with significantly greater milling. Rates of movement were least during milling and greatest for active swimming. Pectoral fins were held 20 to 24° below horizontal, which was consistent with holding positions reported in shark swimming studies. Significantly lower caudal fin positions during hovering probably minimised forward propulsion. Tail-beat frequency decreased significantly with increasing total length and was likely due to greater propulsion from larger caudal fins. Low activity indicated that sharks minimised energy expenditure when aggregated, which was associated with migratory and reproductive behaviours. Significantly different pectoral fin positions among sites likely resulted from differing navigational requirements. Non-swimming behaviours were infrequent. Chafing, gill puff, head snapping and palatoquadrate protrusion were generally categorised as grooming behaviour. One gill puff sequence and all but one rapid withdrawal event were categorised as 'flight'-response agonistic behaviour. The remaining rapid withdrawal and stand back were to avoid collision and categorised as swimming behaviour. The absence of 'fight'-response agonistic behaviour was consistent with previous descriptions of the species as docile. This partial ethogram will enhance ecological understanding, assist assessment and management of diving tourism, and contribute to the recovery and long-term conservation of this critically endangered species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…The behaviours of sharks are among the least understood as they are a diverse taxon with almost 500 extant species (Compagno 2001) and occupy numerous habitats (Bres 1993). Large-scale migratory behaviours have been documented through cooperative tagging programs (Kohler et al 1998), satellite (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behaviour of aggregated grey nurse sharks Carcharias taurus off eastern Australia: similarities and differences among life-history stages and sites

Smith¹,

Scarpaci²,

Louden³

et al. 2015

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…Migrations are common in most species of sharks (Bres 1993) and range from short, seasonal movements along coasts (e.g. Bruce et al 2006) to transoceanic (e.g.…”

Section: Migrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complexities of coastal shark movements and their implications for management

Speed

Field²,

Meekan

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

276

239

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Global declines of shark populations are of concern because of their largely assumed role as moderators of ecosystem function. Without long-term data on movement patterns for many species, it is impossible to infer relative extinction risk, which varies as a function of range, dispersal and habitat specificity and use. The past 50 yr of research on coastal sharks has revealed common movement patterns among species. In the horizontal plane, measured home range size generally increases with body size. We demonstrate meta-analytically the effects of increasing body size and monitoring time on home range size. Changes in the extent of horizontal movement might arise from ontogeny, predator avoidance or environmental tolerances. In the vertical plane, movement patterns include oscillatory vertical displacement, surface swimming, diel vertical migration and swimming at depth. These vertical movements are often attributed to foraging or navigation, but have been quantified less than horizontal patterns. Habitat specificity is often correlated with environmental conditions such as depth, salinity, substratum, and in some cases, prey availability. Site fidelity is common in species that use nursery areas. However, fidelity to mating, pupping, feeding and natal sites has only been observed in a few species. To date, few studies have examined habitat partitioning, although some general patterns have emerged: habitats appear to be subdivided by benthos type, prey availability and depth. The conservation of coastal sharks can be facilitated in some cases by the use of marine protected areas, especially for coastal resident species using specific nursery, reproduction or feeding areas. Partial protected-area closures might be effective during aggregation or migration periods to protect older size classes, but these must be applied with other management strategies such as reduced fishing and size or bag limits to protect individuals throughout different life history phases. More long-term research on habitat use, migration patterns and habitat partitioning is essential for developing successful management initiatives for coastal shark populations.

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“…A fuller moon results in greater nocturnal ambient light, and with potentially very high retinal sensitivity (Bres 1993;Lisney and Collin 2008), some silky sharks may opportunistically extend normal daytime behaviours into the night as the extra ambient light permits. This extension of diurnal behaviour is consistent with the diving behaviour of a juvenile white shark off California, which performed only a small proportion of its dives at night, but the majority of these occurred near the full moon (Dewar et al 2004).…”

Section: Temporal Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reef-use and residency patterns of a baited population of silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, in the Red Sea

Clarke¹,

Lea²,

Ormond³

2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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Many shark populations are experiencing critical declines from overfishing, triggering potentially detrimental cascade effects on marine ecosystems. Silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, have experienced some of the most severe declines, yet little information exists on their behavioural ecology to inform management decisions. In the present study, the movement patterns of a sexually segregated subpopulation of female silky sharks on reefs in the Central Red Sea were investigated using acoustic telemetry to characterise habitat-use and residency patterns. Frequent baiting of sharks at a particular reef-site significantly increased time spent in the vicinity, although no increases in use of other reef areas 5–10 and 50–60 km away were recorded, and regular use of all three reef areas persisted in the absence of bait. Observed residency patterns varied considerably, from being present almost year-round to visiting only intermittently. The sharks spent significantly longer times at study reefs during daylight hours, even within bait-free regions, suggesting the diel bias is normal. This pattern became less distinct nearer the full moon when there is more ambient light. The regular, perennial use of these reefs by mature and near-mature female silky sharks highlights the importance of this habitat in the Red Sea for recruitment into the local shark population.

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The behaviour of sharks

Cited by 88 publications

References 70 publications

Behaviour of aggregated grey nurse sharks Carcharias taurus off eastern Australia: similarities and differences among life-history stages and sites

Behaviour of aggregated grey nurse sharks Carcharias taurus off eastern Australia: similarities and differences among life-history stages and sites

Complexities of coastal shark movements and their implications for management

Reef-use and residency patterns of a baited population of silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, in the Red Sea

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