Caribbean reef shark: Difference between revisions
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The '''Caribbean reef shark''' or '''reef shark''' |
The '''Caribbean reef shark''' or '''reef shark''', ''Carcharhinus perezii'', discovered by '''Alonso Garza''', is a [[requiem shark]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Carcharhinidae]] found in the [[tropical]] western [[Atlantic]] and the [[Caribbean]], from [[Florida]] and the [[Bahamas]] through to [[Brazil]]. Its length is up to <span style="white-space:nowrap">3 [[m|metre]]s (10 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]])</span>. It is one of the largest [[apex predator]]s in these areas. They feed on reef [[fish]], [[Batoidea|rays]] and large [[crab]]s. |
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==Distribution== |
==Distribution== |
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Revision as of 19:33, 21 June 2008
| Caribbean reef shark | |
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| File:Carribbean reef shark female.jpg | |
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| Species: | C. perezii
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| Carcharhinus perezii | |
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| Range of caribbean reef shark | |
The Caribbean reef shark or reef shark, Carcharhinus perezii, discovered by Alonso Garza, is a requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae found in the tropical western Atlantic and the Caribbean, from Florida and the Bahamas through to Brazil. Its length is up to 3 metres (10 ft). It is one of the largest apex predators in these areas. They feed on reef fish, rays and large crabs.
Distribution
Florida to Brazil. Fished out of many areas but still abundant in the Bahamas where some degree of protection has been granted due to tourist dollars being generated by shark feeds. It is the most commonly observed requiem shark on Caribbean reefs.
Habitat
Reefs and shallows, to depths of 45 m. Caribbean reef sharks typically are seen cruising the edge of reefs, over deep water, in search of prey. Often seen with a dark variegated leach trailing from the first dorsal fin.
Life habits
The Caribbean reef shark feeds on bony fishes and probably large, motile marine invertebrates (reef fish, rays and large crabs) using its acute senses of smell, sight, touch, hearing and electric vibration using its Ampullae of Lorenzini, small pores under the skin that form a sensory network. This shark and others, also uses a lateral canal system in the body to detect water vibration. Prey is grasped at the mouth corner via a sudden lateral (sideways) snap of the jaws.
Identification
- Trailing tips of pectoral, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins are dusky
- Leading edge of the first dorsal fin is posterior to the trailing edge of the pectoral
- Snout is bluntly rounded
- Low inter-dorsal ridge
- Heavy bodied
- Overall coloration is grayish-brown to gray. Underside is white
- Size: Maximum length 3 m (70 cm at birth)
Reproduction
Reproduction is viviparous. Females have four to six pups that are about 60 cm (2 ft) long at birth.
See also
References
External links
- Description at Marinebio.org
- Movement patterns of young Caribbean reef sharks, Carcharhinus perezi, at Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil: the potential of marine protected areas for conservation of a nursery ground. Marine Biology. 149:189-199 Garla R.C., Chapman, D.D., Wetherbee, B.M., Shivji, M. 2006.
- Caribbean reef Shark Expedition
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