First record of a potential neonate tiger shark at Cocos Island

First record of a potential neonate tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) at a remote oceanic island in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Marta Cambra, Sergio Madrigal-Mora, Isaac Chinchilla, Geiner Golfín-Duarte, Christopher G. Lowe, Mario Espinoza

ABSTRACT:

Tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) play an important ecological role as top predators, yet knowledge of their reproductive ecology is scarce. Here, we report the first observation of a potential neonate G. cuvier at Cocos Island, a predator-dominated oceanic island in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The individual was captured using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). Our cameras also captured female individuals potentially pregnant, suggesting that parturition may take place at or near the island. However, it is still unclear if the presence of a single neonate is an isolated event or evidence that the species is using the island for reproduction.

Journal of Fish Biology, DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14774

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