BookPDF Available

Identification guide to common sharks and rays of the Caribbean.

June 2016

June 2016

Publisher: FAO. FishFinder Programme. Rome, Italy.
Editor: Edoardo Mostarda
ISBN: 978-92-5-109245-3

Authors:

El Colegio de la Frontera Sur – Unidad Chetumal

This guide was prepared under the “CITES-FAO collaboration on immediate actions in support of the implementation of CITES listings of sharks and manta rays” project and developed in close collaboration with the FishFinder Programme of the Marine and Inland Fisheries Branch, Fisheries Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United nations (FAO). It includes a selection of shark and ray species occurring in the Wider Caribbean Region, that is the waters of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent thereto. In total, 41 shark and 20 ray species are included. These species were selected because of their relevance to commercial fisheries or vulnerability to exploitation due to their life history characteristics. Of these, 29 shark and 9 ray species are presented in a full species card and depicted with a colour illustration and photo. Short accounts of 12 shark and 11 ray species that are less common in the region and could be misidentified with more common species, are also included. This guide is intended to help fishery workers collecting catch data in the field in the identification of the sharks and rays they might encounter for the specific purpose of improving the quality of catch and landings data. The guide is expected to be useful also for fisheries inspectors, observers and enforcement officers of the navy, coastguard and customs.

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photo: Ramón Bonfil

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Content may be subject to copyright.

Identification Guide to

Common Sharks and Rays of the

Caribbean

e designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the

expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

(FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities,

or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. e mention of specic companies or products

of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or

recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

e views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reect the views

or policies of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-109245-3

FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where

otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching

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through publications-sales@fao.org.

FAO. 2016. Identication guide to common sharks and rays of the Caribbean, by

Ramón Bonl. FishFinder Programme. Rome, Italy.

Supervision: Kim Friedman (FAO, Rome), Raymon Van Anrooy (FAOSLC, Barbados).

Technical editor: Edoardo Mostarda (FAO, Rome).

Colour illustrations, images, graphic design and cover: Emanuela D’Antoni (FAO,

Rome).

Technical revision: Nikola Simpson (FAOSLC, Barbados).

is guide was prepared under the “CITES-FAO collaboration on immediate actions

in support of the implementation of CITES listings of sharks and manta rays” project

and developed in close collaboration with the FishFinder Programme of the

Marine and Inland Fisheries Branch, Fisheries Department, Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United nations (FAO).

It includes a selection of shark and ray species occurring in the Wider Caribbean

Region, that is the waters of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of the

Atlantic Ocean adjacent thereto. In total, 41 shark and 20 ray species are included.

ese species were selected because of their relevance to commercial sheries or

vulnerability to exploitation due to their life history characteristics. Of these, 29

shark and 9 ray species are presented in a full species card and depicted with a

colour illustration and photo. Short accounts of 12 shark and 11 ray species that are

less common in the region and could be misidentied with more common species,

are also included.

is guide is intended to help shery workers collecting catch data in the eld in the

identication of the sharks and rays they might encounter for the specic purpose

of improving the quality of catch and landings data. e guide is expected to be

useful also for sheries inspectors, observers and enforcement ocers of the navy,

coastguard and customs.

FishFinder Programme, Marine and Inland Fisheries Branch (FIAF). Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Website: www.fao.org/shery/shnder/en

Email: FishFinder@fao.org

GUIDE TO ORDERS INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE

HEXANCHIFORMES – Pages 10 and 11

SQUATINIFORMES – Page 59CARCHARHINIFORMES – Pages 22 to 58

SQUALIFORMES – Pages 12 and 13

LAMNIFORMES – Pages 14 to 19 ORECTOLOBIFORMES – Pages 20 and 21

Only one dorsal n

6 or 7 gill slits No anal n

Anal n

No anal n

Body attened,

ray–like

Pectoral ns not

attached to head

Eyes with a

movable lower

eyelid

Eyes without a

movable lower

eyelid

Mouth

terminal

Mouth well in

front of eyes

e shark and ray species included in this guide belong to nine Orders and sixteen

Families. e species cards are colour coded by Order. e user can check the caught

specimen against the guide below and follow the colour code or page numbers to

reach the species cards.

PRISTIFORMES – Pages 60 and 61

RHINOBATIFORMES – Pages 62 and 63

MYLIOBATIFORMES – Pages 64 to 75

Snout with a long, at, relatively

wide rostrum surrounded by large

‘teeth’ on both sides

Tail slender to stout, with two

dorsal ns and a rudimentary

caudal n

Tail thin, mostly long

and whip–like, oen with

serrated sting on root

Gill slits on

underside of body

Body attened,

ray–like

Body attened

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Bio-ecology, shing

methods and

maximum depth

Similar species

occurring in the

area showing main

dierences with the

species on the le

card

Scientic name

and Autorship FAO 3-alpha

code

CITES listing (see page 9)

Scientic illustration

and eld marks

Species size: maximum

(Max.), male ♂ and female ♀

maturity (Mat.), and birth

Coloration

Photo of freshly

caught specimen

Other helpful

details for

identication

Family

name FAO name in English,

French and Spanish

HABITAT

Coastal,

pelagic

Estuarine

and rivers Coastal,

demersal Demersal,

over slope Oceanic,

epipelagic

Deep-water,

around seamounts

1875 m

Bottom trawl

Longlines Hook-and-line

Gillnets

Harpoon

Purse seine

FISHING METHODS

Deep-water,

over slope

Lateral view

Ventral view

Snout

Nostril

Eye

Spiracle

Dorsal-n

spine (If

present

1st dorsal n 2nd dorsal n Precaudal

pit

Keel

Mouth

Labial

furrow

Gill slits Pectoral n

Caudal n

Caudal

peduncle

Clasper

(male sex

organ)

Pelvic n

Anal n

Tail

Trun k

Total length (TL)

Head

Trunk

Caudal n

Anal n

Precaudal

tail

Anal-n

ridges

Vent

Pelvic n

(female, no

claspers)

Pectoral

n

Mouth

Gill slits

Snout

Nostril

GUIDE OF EXTERNAL TERMINOLOGY OF SHARKS

Dorsal view

of body Mouth corner

Pectoral n

Dorsal n

Caudal n

Labial furrow

Labial fold

Spine

margin

Origin Insertion

Free

rear tip

Posterior

margin

Apex

Base

Subterminal

notch

Lower origin

Upper origin

Dorsal

margin

Dorsal lobe

Terminal

lobe

Ventral tip

Ventral

lobe

Fin insertion

Fin origin

Inner

margin

Free

rear tip

Posterior

margin

Apex

Base

Interdorsal-n

ridge

GUIDE OF EXTERNAL TERMINOLOGY OF RAYS

orbit

snout

spiracle

tail

tail spine

pelvic n

preoral

length

pectoral n

Disc width (DW)

Dorsal view of a

Dasyatidae species

Underside of head of a

Mobula species

HOW TO SAFELY RELEASE SHARKS

e biological characteristic of sharks and rays render them very vulnerable to heavy exploitation

and many species are already considered to be under threat of extinction. Considering this, it is

important to ensure that sharks and rays that are released alive, survive the stress of capture and do

not die shorty aer being released. Also, it is important for shers to handle and release sharks and

rays without risking injury to themselves.

• e rst recommendation is to make sure that everyone involved knows his or her role during

the release, to increase safety for sh and shers.

• It is very important to use circle hooks rather than J hooks. Since circle hooks usually embed in

the sh’s jaw rather than the throat or stomach, they decrease life-threatening injuries.

• Non-stainless steel hooks are also recommended because if le in the sh, they will eventually

corrode allowing sh to heal and continue to live healthy lives.

• Minimizing ght times and keeping sh in the water while removing hooks also help to increase

survival rates.

• Do not use gas to secure sharks, and avoid liing sh out of the water.

• Use a de-hooking tool if possible. is avoids risk of being bitten during hook removal.

• Resuscitate sharks before release, by pulling them slowly while in the water so that oxygen goes

through their gills. 9

e Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of

Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between

governments aimed at protecting species of wild fauna and ora from

overexploitation through international trade.

A specimen of a CITES-listed species may be imported into or exported

(or re-exported) from a State party to the Convention only if the appropriate document has been

obtained and presented for clearance at the port of entry or exit. e species covered by CITES are

listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is

permitted only in exceptional circumstances (i.e. research).

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade

must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. Countries will

only allow trade in specimens of these species once the Scientic Authority of the State of export

has advised that ‘such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species’. ese ‘non-

detriment ndings’ (NDF’s) guarantee that exports of products from listed species covered by the

NDF have not harmed wild populations or ecosystems.

Appendix III includes species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other

CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.

Size

Max.: 482 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 309 cm TL

♀ 421 cm TL

Birth: 65 cm TL

Bluntnose sixgill shark – Requin griset

Cañabota gris

Hexanchus griseus (Bonnaterre, 1788)

HEXANCHIDAE

SBL

Colour: grey or tan to

blackish with a conspicuous

lighter lateral line.

Underside oen lighter.

Six gill slits

Only one

dorsal n

Distance (a) slightly larger than

dorsal–n base length (b)

Eye relatively

small

Upper and lower teeth

Underside of head

Lower teeth

comb–like

6 rows of large teeth on

each side of mouth

1875 m

Photo: Oddgeir Alvheim

Only one

dorsal n

Only one

dorsal n

Heptranchias perlo

Hexanchus nakamurai

Seven gill

slits

Eye large

Six gill slits

Eye relatively

large

Upper and lower teeth

Lower teeth

comb–like

Lower teeth

comb–like

5 rows of large teeth on

each side of mouth

5 rows of large teeth on

each side of mouth

Distance (a) much larger than

dorsal–n base length (b)

Similar species

Size

Max.: 180 cm TL

Size

Max.: 139 cm TL 11

Cuban dogsh – Aiguillat cubain

Galludo cubano

Squalus cubensis Howell-Rivero, 1936

SQUALIDAE

QUC

380 m

Underside of head

Strongly concave pectoral–n

posterior margins and very

pointed posterior tips

Size

Max.: 110 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ and ♀ ≤ 50 cm TL

Birth: unknown

Colour: upper body brown

to grey; white margins on

pectoral ns and posterior

edge of caudal n.

Upper and lower teeth

1st dorsal–n spine very

long, almost equal to length

of 1st dorsal–n base

Dorsal ns with

dark patches

Photo: D. Ross Robertson, www.stri.org/sfgc

Shortspine spurdog – Aiguillat épinette

Galludo espinilla

Squalus mitsukurii Jordan and Snyder, 1903

SQUALIDAE

QUK

954 m

Underside of head

Size

Max.: 125 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 47–85 cm TL

♀ 50–100 cm TL

Birth: 21–30 cm TL

Colour: upper body grey

to brown; pectoral ns and

posterior edge of caudal n

with thin white margins.

Upper and lower teeth

Spine on 1st

dorsal n short

Posterior tips

of pectoral ns

rounded

No dark patches on

dorsal ns

Photo: Oddgeir Alvheim

Size

Max.: 461 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 279–300 cm TL

♀ 294–355 cm TL

Birth: 100–140 cm TL

Bigeye thresher – Renard à gros yeux

Zorro ojón

Alopias superciliosus (Lowe, 1841)

ALOPIIDAE

BTH

Colour: upper body

grey–brown to purplish–

grey, white to grey below.

No white patches above

pectoral or pelvic–n bases.

Strong groove

Eye large

Dorsal view of head

600 m

Origin of 1st dorsal n far

from end of pectoral ns

Photo: Ramón Bonl

Size

Max.: 573 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 314 cm TL

♀ 315–400 cm TL

Birth: 114–160 cm TL

resher – Renard

Zorro

Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788)

ALOPIIDAE

ALV

Colour: upper body blue–grey

to dark grey, underside white.

Noticeable white patches above

pectoral and pelvic–n bases

extending from ventral area.

Eye small

640 m

Origin of 1st dorsal n close

to end of pectoral ns

Photo: Oddgeir Alvheim

Great white shark – Grand requin blanc

Jaquetón blanco

Carcharodon carcharias (Linnaeus, 1758)

LAMNIDAE

WSH

1200 m

Underside of head

Size

Max.: 640 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 350–410 cm TL,

♀ 400–500 cm TL

Birth: 109–165 cm TL

Colour: upper body

blue–grey to grey–brown,

underside white.

Boundary between these

tones is generally abrupt.

Pectoral

ns broadly

triangular

2nd dorsal n very

small

CITES

App. II

Caudal n

half–moon

shaped

Upper and lower teeth

serrated; upper broadly

triangular

Upper and

lower tooth

Photo: G.H. Burgess

Underside of head

Upper teeth

Cetorhinus maximus

Isurus oxyrinchus

Isurus paucus

Gill openings reaching

well under head

Teeth very

small

Upper and lower

tooth

Upper and lower

tooth

Pectoral ns

narrowly

triangular

Teeth dagger–like,

not serrated

Teeth dagger–like,

not serrated

Pectoral ns as

long as head

Similar species

Size

Max.: 980 cm TL

Size

Max.: 396 cm TL

Size

Max.: 417 cm TL

See also page 44

See also page 40

Upper teeth strongly

notched in one side,

lightly notched in the

other, and heavily

serrated

Apex of pectoral n reaching or passing

1st dorsal–n midbase when pectoral

n is pressed to the side of the body

Origin of 2nd

dorsal n over

anal–n origin

Larger

maximum size

Base of anal n without

two strong pre-anal ridges

Upper labial

furrows

very small,

unnoticeable

Size

Max.: 110 cm TL

Apex of pectoral n reaching or passing

1st dorsal–n midbase when pectoral n

is pressed to the side of the body

Larger

maximum size

Body usually with

white spots

Caribbean sharpnose shark – Requin aiguille antillais

Cazón picudo antillano

Rhizoprionodon porosus (Poey, 1861)

CARCHARHINIDAE

RHR

500 m

Upper and lower tooth

Size

Max.: 110 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 60 cm TL,

♀ 80 cm TL

Birth: 31–39 cm TL

Colour: upper body brown

or greyish brown without

light spots, underside

whitish, posterior margins of

pectoral ns white, of dorsal

and caudal ns blackish.

Underside of head

Apex of pectoral n reaching or passing

1st dorsal–n midbase when pectoral

n is pressed to the side of the body

Origin of 1st dorsal n

above or slightly behind

pectoral–n free rear tip

Origin of 2nd dorsal n

over anal–n midbase

Base of anal n with two

strong pre–anal ridges

Upper labial

furrows

long and

noticeable

Teeth small,

strongly

oblique,

and without

serrations

Photo: Uriel Mendoza-Vargas

Upper and lower tooth

Underside of head

Carcharhinus falciformis

Rhizoprionodon lalandii

Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Size

Max.: 330 cm TL

Size

Max.: 77 cm TL

Size

Max.: 110 cm TL

Origin of 1st dorsal n

well behind pectoral–n

rear tip

Similar species

See also page 44

See also page 40

Upper teeth strongly

notched in one side,

lightly notched

in the other, with

heavily serrated

cusps and large

serrations on bases

1st dorsal n of moderate

size, with narrowly to broadly

rounded tip, its origin well

behind pectoral–n rear tip

Silky shark – Requin soyeux

Tiburón jaquetón

Carcharhinus falciformis (Muller and Henle, 1839)

CARCHARHINIDAE

FAL

500 m

Underside of head

Upper and

lower tooth

Size

Max.: 330 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 215–225 cm TL,

♀ 232–246 cm TL

Birth: 76 cm TL

Colour: upper body

nearly black to dark grey

or brown grey; lower

body whitish. Pectoral

ns black–tipped

underneath, pelvic ns

oen dusky but not

black–tipped.

A ridge on back

between dorsal ns

2nd dorsal n very low,

and with very long inner

margin and free rear tip

Preoral length

1.2–1.6 times

internarial width

Photo: Ramón Bonl

Upper and lower tooth

Underside of head

Carcharhinus obscurus

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Rhizoprionodon porosus

Upper teeth nearly

triangular in shape

and serrated, but

without coarse

serrations on base

Upper teeth nearly

triangular in shape

and serrated, but

without coarse

serrations on base

Size

Max.: 400 cm TL

Size

Max.: 370 cm TL

Size

Max.: 110 cm TL

1st dorsal n

with pointed

or narrowly

rounded tip

1st dorsal n large with

pointed or narrowly

rounded tip

Snout short and

rounded, preoral

length 1.0–1.3 times

internarial width

Preoral length

1.0–1.4 times

internarial width

Origin of 2nd dorsal

n over anal–n

mid–base

Teeth not

serrated, with

strongly oblique

cusps

Origin of 1st dorsal n

on top or in front of

pectoral–n rear tip

Origin of 1st dorsal n

on top of pectoral–n

inner margin

Similar species

See also page 40

Origin of 1st dorsal n

on top of just behind

pectoral–n insertion

Bull shark – Requin bouledogue

Tiburón sarda

Carcharhinus leucas (Valenciennes, 1839)

CARCHARHINIDAE

CCE

152 m

Underside of head

Upper and lower tooth

Size

Max.: 340 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 157–226 cm TL,

♀ 180–230 cm TL

Birth: 56–81 cm TL

Colour: upper body

greyish, belly whitish;

tips and edges of ns

dusky to black in very

young individuals.

No ridge on back

between dorsal ns

2st dorsal n large

and triangular, its

origin on top or in

front of anal–n

origin

Snout very short and

broadly rounded, preoral

length 0.7–1.0 times

internarial width

Teeth heavily

serrated; uppers

broadly triangular,

lowers with poorly

dened bases

Body stocky

Photo: Ramón Bonl

Upper and lower tooth

Underside of head

Carcharhinus limbatus

Carcharhinus galapagensis

Carcharhinus plumbeus

Upper teeth

with long, nearly

triangular serrated

cusps; lower teeth

with narrow straight

cusps and well–

dened bases

Size

Max.: 250 cm TL

Size

Max.: 370 cm TL

Size

Max.: 239 cm TL

A ridge on back

between dorsal ns

A ridge on back

between dorsal ns

Snout short and

rounded, preoral

length 1.0–1.3 times

internarial width

Body not stocky or

specially heavy

Body not stocky or

specially heavy

Dorsal ns, pectoral ns

and lower lobe of caudal

n, black–tipped

Snout long and

narrowly pointed,

preoral length

1.3–1.7 times

internarial width

Upper teeth with

narrow, straight,

serrated cusps, and

coarsely serrated bases

1st dorsal n

very large and

high

Snout broadly

parabolic, preoral

length 0.9–1.3 times

internarial width

Similar species

See also page 44

See also page 40

See also page 44

See also page 40

Snout shorter,

preoral length

1.2–1.6 times

internarial width

Snout shorter,

preoral length

1.0–1.4 times

internarial width

Snout

shorter and

broader

Upper teeth strongly

notched in one side,

lightly notched in the

other, with heavily

serrated cusps and large

serrations on bases

Oceanic whitetip shark – Requin océanique

Tiburón oceánico

Carcharhinus longimanus (Poey, 1861)

OCS

1082 m

Underside of head

Upper and

lower tooth

Size

Max.: 395 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 175–198 cm TL,

♀ 180–200 cm TL

Birth: 60–65 cm TL

Colour: upper body

dark grey to brown,

underside whitish.

A low ridge on

back between

dorsal ns

1st dorsal n very large,

broadly rounded, with

white blotches on tip

Pectoral ns very long,

19–29% of TL, broad and

broadly rounded, with

white blotches on tips

Snout short,

broadly rounded

preoral length

1.0 to 1.1 times

internarial width

Upper

teeth large,

triangular

and coarsely

serrated

Black spots,

all fading in

adults

Lower lobe of

caudal n oen

with white

blotch

CITES

App. II

CARCHARHINIDAE

Photo: NOAA

Size

Max.: 152 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 93 cm TL,

♀ 86 cm TL

Birth: 25–30 cm TL

1290 m

SQUATINIDAE

Frontal view of head

Colour: upper body bluish

grey or ashy grey when

fresh; underside white.

Sand devil – Ange de mer de sable

Tiburón ángel

Squatina dumeril Lesueur, 1818

SUD

Mouth all the

way in front of

the head

Body attened

like a ray

Head not fused

with pectoral ns

Gill slits on the side behind

head, not on the underside

Back without dark

spots, rings or

markings

Photo: NOAA

Smalltooth sawsh – Poisson-scie tident

Pejepeine

Pristis pectinata Latham, 1794

PRISTIDAE

88 m

Size

Max.: 550 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 370 cm TL,

♀ 415 cm TL

Birth: 69–84 cm TL

Colour: upper body greyish brown,

olive-brown or blackish brown; ventral

surface white to greyish white.

Photo: Ramón Bonl

RPP CITES

App. I

Snout with a long, at, relatively

narrow rostrum surrounded by

large ‘teeth’ on both sides

20-30 ‘teeth’ on each

side of rostrum

Origin of 1st dorsal n

above pelvic–n origins

Caudal n with no

lower lobe, or weakly

developed lower lobe

PRISTIDAE

26 m

Size

Max.: 700 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 280–300 cm TL,

♀ 300 cm TL

Birth: 73–80 cm TL

Colour: upper body uniformily

brownish, underside uniformily

whitish.

Photo: Dean orburn

CITES

App. I

Snout with a long, at, relatively

wide rostrum surrounded by large

‘teeth’ on both sides

14-23 ‘teeth’ on each

side of rostrum

Origin of 1st dorsal n

well in front pelvic–n

origins

Caudal n with with a

developed lower lobe

Common sawsh – Poisson–scie commun

Pez sierra común

Pristis pristis (Linnaeus, 1758)

RPR

Chola guitarsh – Poisson–guitare chola

Guitarra chola

Rhinobatos percellens (Walbaum, 1792)

RHINOBATIDAE

110 m

Size

Max.: 100 cm TL

Mat.: ♂ 55 cm TL,

♀ 58 cm TL

Birth: 20 cm TL

Colour: upper body olive grey

to brown or reddish, with darker

brown blotches occasionally

present, and cream coloured

spots about equal to eye diameter;

underside pale yellowish.

GUD

Pectoral ns fused

to head into a

wedge–shaped

structure

Tail shark–like

Rostral cartilage not

expanded near tip

Upper body coloration usually with

whitish spots about equal to eye diameter

Photo: D. Ross Robertson, www.stri.org/sfgc

Dorsal view of head

Pristis pectinata

Size

Max.: 550 cm TL

Similar species

Pristis pristis

Size

Max.: 700 cm TL

See also page 70

Sub-rostral lobe

narrowly parabolic,

not divided in two

Dorsal n behind the

posterior margins of

pelvic ns

Upper body

covered with faint

small light spots

Sub-rostral lobe

broadly arched

and short, not

divided in two

Dental plate with 8–10,

usually 9 rows of teeth,

including 3 rows of

wider central teeth

Dorsal n

far behind

the posterior

margins of

pelvic ns

Teeth

MOBULIDAE

Size

Max.: 700 cm DW

Mat.: ♂ 380 cm DW,

♀ 413 cm DW

Birth: 100 cm DW

Colour: upper body

black to charcoal grey;

white ‘shoulder’ patches;

V-shaped patch in front

on dorsal n; white edges

on pectoral n tips.

Underside white, with

wide dusky bands on

posterior edge of pectoral

ns.

Giant manta – Mante géante

Manta gigante

Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792)

RMB

1000 m

CITES

App. II

Disc rhomboidal or

diamond-shaped,

2.2–2.3 times as

wide as long

Head broad, more

than 17% of disc

width, with two

cephalic ns on

the sides

Mouth in front

of head

A small dorsal

n before

pelvic–n

origins

A small spine

inside a cartilage

capsule, behind

dorsal n

Whip-like

tail

Underside of head

Photo: Jon Hanson - Flickr

Similar species

Mobula hypostoma

Mobula tarapacana

Size

Max.: 120 cm TL

Size

Max.: 305 cm TL

Head narrower,

less than 17% of

disc width

Head narrower,

less than 17% of

disc width

Disc narrower,

1.7-2.0 times as

wide as long

One or two

dusky bands on

back just behind

anterior margin

of head

Mouth not reaching

front of head

Mouth not reaching

front of head

Size much

smaller

Size smaller

No spine behind

dorsal n

Preoral length less

than 4.0 % of disc

width

Disc narrower,

1.5–1.75 times as

wide as long

Upper body

without white

patches

Upper body

without white

patches

No dusky bands on

back just behind

anterior margin of

head

Preoral length equal

or more than 5.0 %

of disc width

No spine behind

dorsal n Underside of head

Underside of head 75

SHARK SPECIES INCLUDED IN THE GUIDE

Order

HEXANCHIFORMES

Order

CARCHARHINIFORMES

Order

SQUALIFORMES

Order

ORECTOLOBIFORMES

Order

LAMNIFORMES

Family HEXANCHIDAE

Family TRIAKIDAE

Family SPHYRNIDAE

Family CARCHARHINIDAE

Family SQUALIDAE

Family GINGLYMOSTOMATIDAE

Family RHINCODONTIDAE

Family ALOPIIDAE

Family LAMNIDAE

Pag.

Pag. 10Hexanchus griseus - Bluntnose sixgill shark

Pag. 12Squalus cubensis - Cuban dogsh

Pag. 13Squalus mitsukurii - Shortspine spurdog

Pag. 14Alopias superciliosus - Bigeye thresher

Pag. 15Alopias vulpinus - resher

Pag. 16Carcharodon carcharias - Great white shark

Pag. 18Isurus oxyrinchus - Shorn mako

Pag. 19Isurus paucus - Longn mako

Pag. 22Mustelus canis - Dusky smooth-hound

Pag. 24Mustelus higmani - Smalleye smooth-hound

Pag. 26Sphyrna lewini - Scalloped hammerhead

Pag. 28Sphyrna mokarran - Great hammerhead

Pag. 30Sphyrna tiburo - Bonnethead

Pag. 32Sphyrna tudes - Smalleye hammerhead

Ginglymostoma cirratum - Nurse shark Pag. 20

Pag. 21

Rhincodon typus - Whale shark

Pag. 34Galeocerdo cuvier - Tiger shark

Pag. 35Prionace glauca - Blue shark

Negaprion brevirostris - Lemon shark Pag. 36

RAY SPECIES INCLUDED IN THE GUIDE

Order

CARCHARHINIFORMES

Order

SQUATINIFORMES

Order

PRISTIFORMES

Order

RHINOBATIFORMES

Order

MYLIOBATIFORMES

Family SQUATINIDAE

Family PRISTIDAE

Family RHINOBATIDAE

Family DASYATIDAE

Carcharhinus leucas - Bull shark Pag. 46

Carcharhinus porosus - Smalltail shark Pag. 54

Rhizoprionodon porosus - Caribbean sharpnose Pag. 40

Carcharhinus limbatus - Blacktip shark Pag. 48

Carcharhinus signatus - Oceanic whitetip shark Pag. 56

Carcharhinus plumbeus - Sandbar shark Pag. 52

Rhizoprionodon lalandii - Brazilian sharpnose Pag. 38

Carcharhinus perezi - Caribbean reef shark Pag. 50

Carcharhinus longimanus - Blacktip shark Pag. 58

Pag. 60

Pag. 68

Pag. 62

Pag. 64

Pag. 66

Pag. 72

Pag. 74

Pag. 61

Pag. 70

Pag. 42

Carcharhinus acronotus - Blacknose shark

Pag. 44

Carcharhinus falciformis - Silky shark

Pag. 59Squatina dumeril - Sand devil

Pristis pectinata - Smalltooth sawsh

Pristis pristis - Common sawsh

Rhinobatos percellens - Chola guitarsh

Dasyatis americana - Southern stingray

Dasyatis guttata - Longnose stingray

Aetobatus narinari - Spotted eagle ray

Myliobatis goodei - Southern eagle ray

Rhinoptera bonasus - Cownose ray

Manta birostris - Giant manta

Family MYLIOBATIDAE

Family RHINOPTERIDAE

Family MOBULIDAE

is identication guide includes a selection of shark and ray

species occurring in the Wider Caribbean Region, that is the

waters of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the waters of

the Atlantic Ocean adjacent thereto. In total, 41 shark and 20 ray

species are included. ese species were selected because of their

relevance to commercial sheries or vulnerability to exploitation

due to their life history characteristics. Of these, 29 shark and 9

ray species are presented in a full species card and depicted with

a colour illustration and photo. Short accounts of 12 shark and

11 ray species that are less common in the region and could be

misidentied with more common species, are also included.

is guide is intended to help shery workers collecting catch data

in the eld in the identication of the sharks and rays they might

encounter for the specic purpose of improving the quality of

catch and landings data. e guide is expected to be useful also for

sheries inspectors, observers and enforcement ocers of the navy,

coastguard and customs.

I5691E/1/05.16

ISBN 978-92-5-109245-3

9789251 092453

Expanding records of occurrence of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in The Bahamas and a call for sustainable tourism practices

Article

Mar 2024
J FISH BIOL

This report updates our understanding of whale shark occurrences in The Bahamas by drawing upon a variety of data sources. Our findings reveal previously unreported sighting locations, often associated with tourism activities, underscoring the pivotal role played by nontraditional data sources in addressing knowledge gaps. These revelations emphasize the ongoing necessity for monitoring efforts. Additionally, we have found cases that raise concerns related to unregulated human–shark interactions in the region, highlighting the pressing need for sustainable tourism practices within Bahamian waters.

Predatory fish exploitation and relative abundance in a data‐poor region from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, inferred from artisanal fishery interview surveys and baited remote underwater video systems

Article

Jul 2022

Artisanal fisheries are socially and economically important along the Caribbean coast of Colombia. These fisheries remain poorly characterized, making it difficult to estimate their potential impact, especially on non‐targeted catch such as elasmobranchs. A rapid assessment framework was used to investigate the exploitation, use, and relative abundance of elasmobranchs and predatory teleosts in a region along the Caribbean coast of Colombia. In‐person structured interview surveys ( n = 188) were conducted during the autumn of 2016 at eight fishing towns around Cartagena and the islands of the Natural National Park (NNP) Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo. Baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) ( n = 200) deployed at four reefs were used to assess the relative abundance of elasmobranchs and other predatory teleosts. Fishers reported capturing eight shark and five ray taxa. Although 99% of fishers indicated that they did not target sharks, 83% reported keeping the catches to sell, eat, or both. Similarly, 81% of fishers did not target rays, but 90% reported retaining catches. Most fishers (84%) perceived a decline of sharks in the coastal waters since they started fishing, compared with 41% reporting batoid declines. BRUVS data support the perceptions of elasmobranch declines. Elasmobranch abundances were very low and no difference was detected between protected and unprotected reefs. Results were similar for teleost taxa, but there were higher abundances inside one marine protected area (MPA) that had high enforcement. Taken together, the data suggest considerable degradation of not only elasmobranch populations but also predatory fish populations of coral reef habitats in a region of the Colombian Caribbean. Furthermore, artisanal fishers continue to exploit coral reef resources inside MPAs unless there is strong enforcement. Enforcement can be difficult with limited resources, and therefore community‐based conservation methods may be more effective. Engagement with the local fishing community may help to reduce existing tensions and improve compliance.

Relatório do projeto investigando berçários de elasmobrânquios em um hotspot de conservação global para melhoramento do manejo

Technical Report

Full-text available

Jul 2021

Copépodos parásitos asociados a tiburones capturados en pesquerías artesanales de Margarita

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2019

Sobre los tiburones inciden serias amenazas por la sobrepesca y cambios ambientales. Son elementos de relevancia ecológica, actuando con frecuencia como modeladores de las tramas tróficas y como bio-indicadores de la salud del ecosistema. A su vez, las tramas tróficas están influenciadas por la presencia de parásitos, y al igual que otros grupos de peces los tiburones los presentan con frecuencia, revelándose los copépodos parásitos como el segundo grupo más diverso en estos escualos, siendo de gran significación para sus hospederos, por su diversidad, usual presencia y efectos patológicos. En vista de lo antes mencionado y de la escasez de infor- mación sobre estos copépodos en Venezuela, se estudió la fauna de copépodos parásitos de tibu- rones de los mares circundantes a la Isla de Margarita. Con ese fin se visitaron cinco puertos pesqueros para registrar capturas de selacios. Únicamente los puertos de Robledal y La Pared proporcionaron tiburones, pero sólo en el primero fueron hallados hospederos parasitados. Cuatro especies de tiburones (Alopias superciliosus , Prionace glauca , Carcharhinus brevipinna e Isurus oxyrinchus portaban copépodos parásitos. Los cuales fueron fijados en formalina al 10% e iden- tificados con claves y literatura especializadas. Las especies de copépodos parásitos pertenecen a las familias Pandaridae (Pandarus cranchii, P. satyrus, P. smithii y Phyllothyreus cornutus), Eudacty- linidae (Bariaka alopiae y Nemesis robusta) y Kroyeriidae (Kroyeria carchariaeglauci). Todos estos hallazgos constituyen nuevos registros para aguas del mar Caribe. Igualmente, se presentan tres relaciones parásito-hospedero inéditas. Se realza la importancia del estudio de estos parási- tos para la conservación de los elasmobranquios.

Conservación, uso y aprovechamiento sustentable de tiburones mexicanos listados en la CITES

Book

Full-text available

Nov 2022

La presente obra es resultado de la participación de expertos provenientes del sector gubernamental, académico y privado, con un total de 36 autores que compilaron información contenida en investigaciones científicas y material bibliográfico (tesis de posgrado, libros y artículos científicos). Sin duda, el contenido facilitará significativamente la labor de la Autoridad Científica cites de México, pues aporta elementos para analizar y emitir DENP de manera oportuna, además de apoyar a las autoridades Administrativa y de Aplicación de la Ley de México para su efectiva implementación de la cites, cuyo tratado internacional es uno de los más efectivos para la gestión de nuestro patrimonio natural, del cual dependen la subsistencia y modos de vida en el largo plazo de las comunidades pesqueras.

Marco normativo para la conservación y manejo sustentable de tiburones y batoideos en México

Chapter

Full-text available

Nov 2022

Ramón Bonfil

This chapter synthesizes information on national and international regulations in force (as of July 2018) for fisheries management, conservation, and sustainable use of shark and batoid biodiversity in the Mexico. The document is a comprehensive review of relevant published information complemented with information derived from specific interviews conducted by the author to a large number of actors from all sectors (industrial fishing, artisanal fishing, sport fishing, government, NGOs, and academia) between October and December 2014. The focus of the interviews was on the effectiveness of existing regulations towards guaranteeing the conservation of shark and batoid species. The overall analysis indicates that there is a wide range of fisheries management and conservation instruments both nationally and internationally, which are generally a good starting point to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of sharks and batoids in the country, but this is not enough, since there were important gaps observed especially in fisheries management. Additionally, an analysis of 40 Protected Natural Areas (PNA) in place in Mexico as of 2014 and which have or could have species of elasmobranchs inside them (Bonfil 2014) indicates that 10 of them do not have Management Programs, and that 22 out of 30 existing management programs for PNAs do not contain specific measures for the conservation of elasmobranchs or do not list them as existing in the PNA. The main recommendations of the analisis are: a) to reinforce and expand the programs and mechanisms of inspection, surveillance, monitoring and follow-up of all regulations for the fisheries and conservation sectors; b) to prepare as soon as possible Management Programs for all PNAs where sharks and rays are found, and modify the existing ones so that they all explicitly include the species of sharks and rays that occur in each PNA and especially, to include specific measures for the conservation of elasmobranchs in them; c) as an integral part of a strategy for change, it is recommended to implement permanent programs of environmental education focused particularly onto the actors of the fishing sector (including fishermen, processors, intermediaries, wholesalers and retailers, exporters and consumers), who are the ones who interact daily with sharks and batoids, and by this means solve the great gap in environmental awareness that exists, and d) to reassess the conservation status of manta and devil rays as well as sawfishes, with the criteria of including or updating them in NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.

Carcharhinus falciformis (Müller y Henle, 1839) Tiburón sedoso, silky shark

Chapter

Full-text available

Nov 2022

El Tiburón sedoso, Carcharhinus falciformis, tiene una distribución circunglobal, se localiza tanto en el Atlántico Occidental y Pacífico Oriental. En México, C. falciformis se encuentra en el Pacífico Mexicano, incluyendo el Golfo de California, así como en el litoral del Golfo de México y Mar Caribe. Los tiburones sedosos habitan generalmente plataformas continentales e insulares, pendientes e incluso se han registrado ocasionalmente en aguas someras (18 m) hasta profundidades de 550 m. La edad máxima estimada para C. falciformis varía considerablemente para las distintas poblaciones, desde ocho a 11 años hasta más de 30 años. Los parámetros de crecimiento son también altamente variables, con longitudes asintóticas que van de 240 cm a 340 cm de LT (longitud total). El Tiburón sedoso presenta una estrategia de reproducción vivípara placentaria, con un periodo de gestación de 11 a 12 meses y una fecundidad de una a 25 crías con tallas entre 50 y 83 cm (LT). En el 2014 C. falciformis fue enlistada en el Apéndice II de la Convención sobre la Conservación de las Especies Migratorias de Animales Silvestres (CMS) y en 2017 se incluyó en el Apéndice II de la Convención sobre el Comercio Internacional de Especies Amenazadas de Fauna y Flora Silvestres (CITES). En México, la falta de información de captura y esfuerzo pesquero específico ha complicado la evaluación del estado de las poblaciones de tiburones, en donde C. falciformis no es la excepción. Por ello, es necesario hacer registros específicos de las capturas, esfuerzo pesquero, datos biológicos-pesqueros, con el fin de realizar análisis demográficos y proyecciones del efecto de la pesca en el stock e identificar áreas de importancia para su protección.

Elasmobranchs of the Mexican Caribbean: biodiversity and conservation status

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022
ENVIRON BIOL FISH

The present study includes a list of elasmobranch species present in the Mexican Caribbean and the conservation status of each species with recommendations to improve the management strategies that are ongoing in the region. Since 2015, surveys were conducted in local fisheries, sighting reports were collected, and several published sources, including those from national and international collections and museums, were reviewed. Based on documents, collections, direct records by authors, and local sighting reports, we found 85 elasmobranch species (49 sharks and 36 rays) reported for the Mexican Caribbean, from which 65 species (37 sharks and 28 rays) have been confirmed. The present study increased the total number of elasmobranch species known to be in the Mexican Caribbean by 57. These species belong to 10 orders and 30 families. This represents 41% of the elasmobranch species known for Mexico and 47% of the species reported for the Wester Central Atlantic Ocean. This research provides important baseline information about elasmobranch biodiversity in the Mexican Caribbean with implications in the management and conservation of these species at national and international levels.

Uso de hábitat de dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) y tiburón piloto (Carcharhinus falciformis) asociados a objetos flotantes en la costa sur de Jalisco, México

Conference Paper

Full-text available

Oct 2016

Las condiciones propias de ecosistemas oceánicos tropicales propician el traslape de nichos tróficos en las especies. Los juveniles de dorado y tiburón utilizan objetos flotantes como zonas de refugio y alimentación, se comparó el uso de hábitat mediante análisis de contenidos estomacales y análisis de isótopos estables de N y C, encontrando que ambas especies tienen uso de hábitat similar sin embargo no es compartido entre ellas evitando la posible competencia por recursos.

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.

Identification guide to common sharks and rays of the Caribbean.

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