The Biology and Ecology of the Shortfin Mako Shark, Isurus Oxyrinchus

Abstract

The shortfi n mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) is a pelagic oceanic species with a widespread distribution in temperate and tropical waters of all the world's oceans. It is a target species in some areas, but is principally caught as bycatch of longline and gill-net fi sheries directed at tuna and billfi sh. It is also an important recreational species in many regions. Reproduction is by aplacental viviparity with embryonic oophagy, and the average litter size is 12; captures of pregnant females are relatively uncommon. Breeding frequency appears to be every 3 years, giving an annual fecundity of four. There is a large sexual difference in the size at maturity, with males maturing at about 195 cm total length, while females do not mature until 265-280 cm. Published information on growth rates and age estimates are confl icting, and further studies are required to resolve age and growth in this species. Little is known about stock structure or population status, although most populations do not (yet) appear to have been severely impacted by fi shing pressure.

Insights into the reproductive biology and fisheries of two commercially exploited species, shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) and blue shark (Prionace glauca), in the south-east Pacific Ocean

“…There is a large sexual difference in the size and age at maturity, with males maturing at about 195 cm total length (L T ) at 6 years of age, and females at 265-280 cm L T at 16 years of age (Stevens, 2008;Semba et al, 2009). While segregation among the developmental stages (Nakano and Nagasawa, 1996) and geographical sexual segregation (Mucientes et al, 2009) have been reported, little is known about stock structure or genetic diversity (Heist et al, 1996) due to the species' large, diffuse, and highly dispersive populations (Schrey et al, 2003).…”

Experimental study of laminar and turbulent boundary layer separation control of shark skin

“…The present study focuses on investigating flow over skin samples from the Shortfin Mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) as it is one of the fastest swimming marine creatures (Stevens, 2008). These scales are 0.2 mm in average size and are uniformly oriented from nose-to-tail except around pit organs and lateral lines of shark body.…”

Size, Age, and Spatial–Temporal Distribution of Shortfin Mako in the Mexican Pacific Ocean

“…It is distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical seas (Compagno 2001) and is rarely found in waters with temperatures below 13-17°C (Stevens 2008). The Shortfin Mako is an ovoviviparous species that shows oophagy.…”