Evidence of mating scars in female tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazilian Equatorial Atlantic

• Published in: Environmental Biology of Fishes
• Main Authors: Rangel, Bianca S., Afonso, Andre S., Bettcher, Vanessa, Bucair, Nayara, Andres, Nauther, Veras, Leonardo B., Hazin, Fabio Hissa Vieira, Garla, Ricardo
• Other Authors: Beacon Development, KAUST – King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 23955-900, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2023
• Subjects: Copulation; Mating ground; Apex predator; Reproduction; Marine-protected area; Ricardo; South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10754/686839; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-022-01380-z

Although many shark species display predictable and seasonal aggregations related to breeding activities, few studies have reported direct evidence of reproductive interactions of large sharks. In this context, the present study reports the first evidence of mating scars in female tiger sharks Galeocerdo cuvier at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FEN), an oceanic remote insular system in the South Atlantic Ocean. Results from the records of seven wounded females suggest that mating activity may occur between February and August. These females measured between 267 and 372 cm in total length, which is aligned with previous studies reporting size at sexual maturity for Atlantic tiger sharks. Although some females exhibited healed wounds, three of them had fresh, open wounds. One of the females also had a swollen and red cloaca. We also report the first presumably gravid female tiger shark for the region. Although sporadic, the observations herein reported indicate the importance of FEN for tiger shark reproduction in western equatorial Atlantic waters. This finding is especially relevant as FEN has been identified as an important genetic hotspot for tiger sharks, with the largest global genetic diversity for the species. Bolsas FUNBIO—Conservando o Futuro do Fundo Brasileiro para a Biodiversidade e Instituto Humanize (#98/2019), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo-FAPESP (#2017/25273–0, PhD’s scholarship to BSR), and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through projects UIDP/04292/2020, LA/P/0069/2020, and CEECIND/02566/2021 (granted to ASA). We are grateful to Ricardo Araujo from Núcleo de Gestão Integrada de Noronha—NGI Noronha/ICMBio (Instituto Chico Mendes para a Conservação da Biodiversidade) and his team for all their support. We also thank the All Angle and Hydrosphera, companies specializing in the production of underwater, aerial, and terrestrial images; fishermen Carlinhos Gomes, Weliton da Silva, Andresson, and Joel for the support; and José Martins da Silva ...