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Cited by 46Ichthyology and Marine BiologyCoral and Marine Ecosystems StudiesMarine animal studies overview

Drivers of abundance and spatial distribution of reef-associated sharks in an isolated atoll reef system

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Tickler, David M., Letessier, Tom B., Koldewey, Heather J., Meeuwig, Jessica J.·2017·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0177374PMC PMC5451018
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Abstract

We investigated drivers of reef shark demography across a large and isolated marine protected area, the British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Reserve, using stereo baited remote underwater video systems. We modelled shark abundance against biotic and abiotic variables at 35 sites across the reserve and found that the biomass of low trophic order fish (specifically planktivores) had the greatest effect on shark abundance, although models also included habitat variables (depth, coral cover and site type). There was significant variation in the composition of the shark assemblage at different atolls within the reserve. In particular, the deepest habitat sampled (a seamount at 70-80m visited for the first time in this study) recorded large numbers of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) not observed elsewhere. Size structure of the most abundant and common species, grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), varied with location. Individuals at an isolated bank were 30% smaller than those at the main atolls, with size structure significantly biased towards the size range for young of year (YOY). The 18 individuals judged to be YOY represented the offspring of between four and six females, so, whilst inconclusive, these data suggest the possible use of a common pupping site by grey reef sharks. The importance of low trophic order fish biomass (i.e. potential prey) in predicting spatial variation in shark abundance is consistent with other studies both in marine and terrestrial systems which suggest that prey availability may be a more important predictor of predator distribution than habitat suitability. This result supports the need for ecosystem level rather than species-specific conservation measures to support shark recovery. The observed spatial partitioning amongst sites for species and life-stages also implies the need to include a diversity of habitats and reef types within a protected area for adequate protection of reef-associated shark assemblages.

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Authors
Tickler, D. M., Letessier, T. B., Koldewey, H. J., & Meeuwig, J. J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
  • Zoological Society of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Tickler, David M.
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2017-05-31
Volume
12
Issue
5
Pages
e0177374
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0177374
PMC
PMC5451018
OpenAlex
W2619617417
Cited by
46
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1
FWCI
3.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
correction (2017-10-12)
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EIDCF006)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ichthyology and Marine Biology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
Keywords
reef sharks, shark abundance, spatial distribution, prey availability, grey reef shark, scalloped hammerhead shark, size structure, marine protected areas, predator-prey interactions, ecosystem-based conservation
MeSH terms
Animals, Demography, Population Density, Sharks, Indian Ocean, Coral Reefs

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