SEMINAR: MBF 602 Seminar Series Presents Kristin Stump Friday 12/3 4:00p S/A (SLAB) seminar room

["Sidney Hartley" <shartley@rsmas.miami.edu>]

Spatial movements of juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) within a threatened nursery

 

The lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris, is a large coastal species found throughout the western Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico.  Like many elasmobranchs, N. brevirostris uses nursery habitats throughout its range.  For neonate and juvenile N. brevirostris, benefits of healthy mangrove-fringed shorelines include protection from predation, often by larger conspecifics, as well as increased foraging opportunities.  In Bimini, Bahamas, 85km east of Miami, FL, the mangrove-fringed shorelines of the islands serve as nursery grounds for hundreds of these sharks.  Recently, a significant portion of the nursery habitat was destroyed during the construction of a large resort.  Clear-cutting of mangrove forests and subsequent filling of wetlands within the nursery may impact the resident neonate and juvenile population.  Active telemetry is used in a continuing study to examine the habitat use of neonate and juvenile N. brevirostris within the nursery following this habitat loss, and current data are compared to telemetry data collected prior to construction.  Preliminary results show continued site fidelity to the nursery, despite degradation.  However, spatial patterns for all age and size classes analyzed to date indicate a trend toward increased use of habitat at greater distances from shore since mangrove removal and filling activities commenced.   Preliminary data suggest that following significant alteration of nursery habitat, N. brevirostris continue to use the nursery area, but may be altering their spatial movements within it.  This shift may have effects on foraging opportunities and diet, as well as predation risk within the nursery. 

 

 

Kristine Stump

B.S., Marine Science and Biology

University of Miami (2001)

 

M.A. Marine Affairs and Policy (2002)

University of Miami – RSMAS

 

Entered PhD program: Fall 2007

Advisor: John McManus

 

 

Sidney L.S. Hartley

University of Miami RSMAS

Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries

S. Grosvenor 315

Miami Fl 33149

305-421-4176

305-421-4600-fax