Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Species Account/Negaprion brevirostris"
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{{Taxobox | {{Taxobox | ||
| − | | name = Lemon | + | | name = Lemon shark |
| status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1 | | status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1 | ||
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN2011.1|assessors=Sundström, L.F. |year=2005|id=39380|title=Negaprion brevirostris|downloaded=20 August 2011}}</ref> | | status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN2011.1|assessors=Sundström, L.F. |year=2005|id=39380|title=Negaprion brevirostris|downloaded=20 August 2011}}</ref> | ||
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''Hypoprion brevirostris'' <small>Poey, 1868</small> | ''Hypoprion brevirostris'' <small>Poey, 1868</small> | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The '''lemon shark''', ''Negaprion brevirostris'', | + | The '''lemon shark''', ''Negaprion brevirostris'', [[shark]] in the family [[Carcharhinidae]], can grow to {{convert|10|ft|m}} long.<ref>[http://www.sharksurvivor.com/sharks/lemonshark.htm Lemon Shark] - SharkSurvivor.com</ref> It is known as the lemon shark because, at certain depths, light interacting with the local seawater can give this shark a tanned and yellow, pitted appearance, much like the surface of a lemon. |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | This stocky, powerful shark is named for its pale yellow-brown to grey skin, which lacks any distinctive markings. This provides perfect camouflage when swimming over the sandy seafloor in its coastal habitat. <ref>3.Carwardine, M. and Watterson, K. (2002) The Shark Watcher’s Handbook. BBC Worldwide Ltd, London.</ref> It has a flattened | + | This stocky, powerful shark is named for its pale yellow-brown to grey skin, which lacks any distinctive markings. This provides perfect camouflage when swimming over the sandy seafloor in its coastal habitat. <ref>3.Carwardine, M. and Watterson, K. (2002) The Shark Watcher’s Handbook. BBC Worldwide Ltd, London.</ref> It has a flattened head with a short, broad snout, and the second dorsal fin is almost as large as the first. <ref>2.Compagno, L.J.V. (1984) FAO Species Catalogue. Vol 4: Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2: Carcharhiniformes. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome. It can vary in color from a sandy yellow to a brownish yellow, depending on location. It also has poor eyesight but amazing senses to help in hunting. |
</ref> | </ref> | ||
==Distribution and habitat== | ==Distribution and habitat== | ||
| − | The lemon shark is found mainly along the [[subtropical]] and [[tropical]] parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North and South America, and around [[Pacific islands]]. The longest lemon shark recorded was {{convert|13|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, but they are usually {{convert|8|-|10|ft|m|abbr=on}}. They | + | The lemon shark is found mainly along the [[subtropical]] and [[tropical]] parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North and South America, and around [[Pacific islands]]. The longest lemon shark recorded was {{convert|13|ft|m|abbr=on}} long, but they are usually {{convert|8|-|10|ft|m|abbr=on}}. They inhabit mostly tropical waters, stay at moderate depths, and are often accompanied by [[remora]]s. |
==Reproduction== | ==Reproduction== | ||
| − | Lemon sharks are [[viviparous]], females giving birth to between | + | Lemon sharks are [[viviparous]], females giving birth to between four and 17 young every other year in warm and shallow lagoons. The young have to fend for themselves from birth, and remain in shallow water near [[mangrove]]s until they grow larger. With increasing size, they venture further away from their birthplaces. At maturity, at a size of 1.5–2 m and an age of 12–15 years, they leave shallow water and move into deeper waters offshore. However, little is known of this life stage. The maximum recorded length and weight is 340 cm and 183 kg.<ref>[http://fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=897 Negaprion brevirostris, Lemon shark] - FishBase</ref> |
| − | Recent work in genetics by Kevin Feldheim and [[Samuel H. Gruber|Samuel Gruber]] may suggest | + | Recent work in genetics by Kevin Feldheim and [[Samuel H. Gruber|Samuel Gruber]] may suggest adult sharks travel hundreds of kilometers to mate. Another possibility is that populations far apart may have been separated in recent times. Further research is needed for an understanding of the lemon shark's breeding behavior and ecology. |
==Importance to humans== | ==Importance to humans== | ||
| − | [[File:Negaprion brevirostris turks caicos.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Lemon shark in [[Turks and Caicos Islands]] | + | [[File:Negaprion brevirostris turks caicos.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Lemon shark in [[Turks and Caicos Islands]]]] |
| − | Lemon sharks are a popular choice for study by scientists as they survive well in captivity, unlike many other species such as the [[great white shark|great white]], which die in captivity because of food refusal. The species is the best known of all sharks in terms of behavior and [[ecology]], mainly because of the work of Samuel Gruber at the [[University of Miami]], who has been studying the lemon shark both in the field and in the laboratory since 1967. The population around the [[Bimini Islands]] in the western Bahamas, where Gruber's Bimini Biological Field Station is situated, is probably the best known of all shark populations. As of 2007, this population is experiencing a severe decline and may disappear altogether as a result of destruction of the mangroves for construction of a golf resort. | + | Lemon sharks are a popular choice for study by scientists, as they survive well in captivity, unlike many other species, such as the [[great white shark|great white]], which die in captivity because of food refusal. The species is the best known of all sharks in terms of behavior and [[ecology]], mainly because of the work of Samuel Gruber at the [[University of Miami]], who has been studying the lemon shark both in the field and in the laboratory since 1967. The population around the [[Bimini Islands]] in the western Bahamas, where Gruber's Bimini Biological Field Station is situated, is probably the best known of all shark populations. As of 2007, this population is experiencing a severe decline and may disappear altogether as a result of destruction of the mangroves for construction of a golf resort. Of the 22 known lemon shark attacks since 1580, none have resulted in death. |
==Electroreceptors== | ==Electroreceptors== | ||
| − | All sharks have [[electroreceptor]]s concentrated in their heads, called the [[ampullae of Lorenzini]]. These receptors detect electrical pulses emitted by potential prey. Lemon sharks are bottom dwellers. They have very poor eyesight and cannot see well to find their food, but are equipped with extremely sensitive and accurate | + | All sharks have [[electroreceptor]]s concentrated in their heads, called the [[ampullae of Lorenzini]]. These receptors detect electrical pulses emitted by potential prey. Lemon sharks are bottom dwellers. They have very poor eyesight and cannot see well to find their food, but are equipped with extremely sensitive and accurate electrreceptors in the nose. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 16:37, 10 February 2012
Template:Taxobox The lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris, shark in the family Carcharhinidae, can grow to Template:Convert long.& It is known as the lemon shark because, at certain depths, light interacting with the local seawater can give this shark a tanned and yellow, pitted appearance, much like the surface of a lemon.
Description
This stocky, powerful shark is named for its pale yellow-brown to grey skin, which lacks any distinctive markings. This provides perfect camouflage when swimming over the sandy seafloor in its coastal habitat. & It has a flattened head with a short, broad snout, and the second dorsal fin is almost as large as the first. &
Distribution and habitat
The lemon shark is found mainly along the subtropical and tropical parts of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North and South America, and around Pacific islands. The longest lemon shark recorded was Template:Convert long, but they are usually Template:Convert. They inhabit mostly tropical waters, stay at moderate depths, and are often accompanied by remoras.
Reproduction
Lemon sharks are viviparous, females giving birth to between four and 17 young every other year in warm and shallow lagoons. The young have to fend for themselves from birth, and remain in shallow water near mangroves until they grow larger. With increasing size, they venture further away from their birthplaces. At maturity, at a size of 1.5–2 m and an age of 12–15 years, they leave shallow water and move into deeper waters offshore. However, little is known of this life stage. The maximum recorded length and weight is 340 cm and 183 kg.&
Recent work in genetics by Kevin Feldheim and Samuel Gruber may suggest adult sharks travel hundreds of kilometers to mate. Another possibility is that populations far apart may have been separated in recent times. Further research is needed for an understanding of the lemon shark's breeding behavior and ecology.
Importance to humans
Lemon sharks are a popular choice for study by scientists, as they survive well in captivity, unlike many other species, such as the great white, which die in captivity because of food refusal. The species is the best known of all sharks in terms of behavior and ecology, mainly because of the work of Samuel Gruber at the University of Miami, who has been studying the lemon shark both in the field and in the laboratory since 1967. The population around the Bimini Islands in the western Bahamas, where Gruber's Bimini Biological Field Station is situated, is probably the best known of all shark populations. As of 2007, this population is experiencing a severe decline and may disappear altogether as a result of destruction of the mangroves for construction of a golf resort. Of the 22 known lemon shark attacks since 1580, none have resulted in death.
Electroreceptors
All sharks have electroreceptors concentrated in their heads, called the ampullae of Lorenzini. These receptors detect electrical pulses emitted by potential prey. Lemon sharks are bottom dwellers. They have very poor eyesight and cannot see well to find their food, but are equipped with extremely sensitive and accurate electrreceptors in the nose.
See also
References
- ↑ Lemon Shark - SharkSurvivor.com
- ↑ 3.Carwardine, M. and Watterson, K. (2002) The Shark Watcher’s Handbook. BBC Worldwide Ltd, London.
- ↑ 2.Compagno, L.J.V. (1984) FAO Species Catalogue. Vol 4: Sharks of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of shark species known to date. Part 2: Carcharhiniformes. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome. It can vary in color from a sandy yellow to a brownish yellow, depending on location. It also has poor eyesight but amazing senses to help in hunting.
- ↑ Negaprion brevirostris, Lemon shark - FishBase
- Template:ITIS
- Template:FishBase species
- Washington Post, 2005, Aug. 22nd: "Scientists Fear Oceans on the Cusp Of a Wave of Marine Extinctions"
External links
Template:Wikispecies Template:Commons
Template:Selachimorpha Template:Link GA
ca:Tauró llimona cs:Žralok citronový de:Zitronenhai el:Κίτρινος καρχαρίας es:Negaprion brevirostris fr:Requin-citron ko:레몬상어 it:Negaprion brevirostris hu:Citromcápa nl:Citroenhaai ja:ニシレモンザメ no:Sitronhai pt:Tubarão-limão ru:Лимонная акула simple:Lemon shark sk:Žralok citrónový fi:Sitruunahai sv:Citronhaj tr:Limon köpek balığı
