Regularized satellite tracks from: Ocean warming alters the distributional range, migratory timing, and spatial protections of an apex predator, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) ...

• Main Author: Hammerschlag, Neil
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2021
• Subjects: FOS Animal and dairy science; North Atlantic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.cvdncjt5r; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.cvdncjt5r

Data are regularized tiger shark satellite tracks used in "Ocean warming alters the distributional range, migratory timing, and spatial protections of an apex predator, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)" published in Global Change Biology. Paper abstract below: Given climate change threats to ecosystems, it is critical to understand responses of species to warming. This is especially important in the case of apex predators since they exhibit relatively high extinction risk and changes to their distribution could impact predator-prey interactions that can initiate trophic cascades. Here we used a combined analysis of animal tracking, remotely sensed environmental data, habitat modeling, and capture data to evaluate the effects of climate variability and change on the distributional range and migratory phenology of an ectothermic apex predator, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Tiger sharks satellite tracked in the western North Atlantic between 2010 and 2019 revealed significant annual variability in the ... : Methods excerpted from the paper: Between May 2010 and January 2019, tiger sharks were tagged off southeast Florida, southwest Florida, and the northern Bahamas with Smart Position and Temperature Transmitting tags (SPOT tag, Wildlife Computers) to quantify spatial movement patterns. At capture, sharks were sexed and measured for total length (TL). SPOT tags were affixed to the first dorsal fin and tags were coated with antifouling materials to minimize biofouling. Prior to deployment, all SPOT tags were tested and confirmed for location accuracy at land-based facilities. The geographic location of each tagged shark was determined via Doppler-shift calculation made by the Argos Data Collection and Location Service (www.argos-system.org) whenever the shark’s tag broke the water’s surface and transmitted. Location accuracy was dependent on the number of tag transmissions received by Argos satellites. Argos provides location accuracy using location classes (LC) 3, 2, 1, 0, A, B, and Z (in decreasing accuracy), ...