ginglymostomidae nurse sharks chris bedore october 2, 2007
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Taxonomy and EtymologyOrder Orectolobiformes
Family Ginglymostomidae
Genus Ginglymostoma Nebrius Pseudoginglymostoma
ginglymostoma= “hinge mouth”
Morphology
General characteristics• 2 spineless dorsal fins, 1 anal fin
•barbels on nostrils, nasoral groove
• broad, flat head
• small spiracles behind small eyes
• ventral caudal lobe small or lacking
• small, multicuspid teeth
• small gill slits, 4th and 5th almost overlapping
Morphology
Distinguishing characteristics
•large caudal fin with strong terminal lobe and subterminal notch
• coloration- lacks patterns (saddles, stripes, spots)
MorphologyGinglymostoma cirratum**~300cm TLrounded finsyellow to grey-brownlong barbelsNebrius ferrugineus~315cm TLlong barbelsangular finsshades of brownPseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum~75cm TL, dark brownshort barbelsdorsal fins same size
Habitat, Distribution, Lifestyle•subtropical and tropicalG. cirratum: especially E. Pacific and Atlantic
•continental waters
•associated with coral and rocky reefs, sandy bottom, lagoons, mangroves <1 to 12m
•basically benthic, but do swim around
•very common in Gulf of Mexico and FL Keys
Reproduction• 20-30 pups/litter, at different stages due to ovulation
• 5-6 month gestation, mating in May-July
• Males mature 10-15 years, Females 15-20 years (~150cm TL)
Prey/Feeding habits• benthic prey
crustaceans, squid, teleosts, stingrays
• suction feeders- small mouth, large pharynx
• will eat any bait
Human Importance• Nuiscance in some places- raid bait traps• Not aggressive (unless provoked)
• Economic importance:tourismex: Shark and Ray Alley, Belize
aquarium
not sportfish because sluggish, but flesh is edible
Conservation Status• abundance has decreased• exhibit site fidelity- anthropogenic activities threaten habitat (esp. mating /nursery grounds)
• IUCN Redlist:
G. cirratum- data deficient; likely decreasing due to habitat
N. ferrugineus- decreasing; bycatch in coastal fisheries
P. brevicauda- data deficient, may be decreasing due to bycatch
ResearchJeff Carrier (Albion College) and Wes Pratt (Mote Marine Lab)http://www.albion.edu/sharklab/default.asp
probably most reproduction info of any species knownmultiple observed matings in FL Keys/Dry Tortugas- model for repro. behavior (see Pratt and Carrier, 2001)
seasonal closures of mating grounds in Dry Tortugas(see Carrier and Pratt, 1998)
Jose Castro (Mote Marine Lab)- detailed biology of the nurse shark(see Castro, 2000)
Carrier J.C. and H.L. Pratt, Jr. 1998. Habitat management and closure of a nurse shark breeding and nursery ground. Fisheries Research 39:209-213.
Castro, J.I. 1983. The sharks of North American waters. Texas A&M Univ. Press, College Station, TX. 180p.
Castro JI. 2000. The biology of the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, off the Florida east coast and the Bahama Islands. Environ. Biol. Fish. 58: 1-22.
Compagno, L., M. Dando, and S. Fowler. 2005. Sharks of the World. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 368p.
Klimley A.P. 1980. Observations of courtship and copulation in the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum. Copeia 1980(4):878-882.
Pratt H.L. and J.C. Carrier. 2001. A review of elasmobranch reproductive behavior with a case study on the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum. Environmental Biology of Fishes 60:157-188.
Selected Works