Morris, Carol C and Seetha, P K and Kizhakudan, Shoba Joe (2024) Report on avian prey in the diet of sharks from the eastern Arabian Sea. Marine Fisheries Information Service, Technical and Extension Series (260). pp. 33-34. ISSN 0254-380X
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Abstract
Studies on the food and feeding of the graceful shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides and the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier from specimens collected from the landings at Cochin Fisheries Harbour, Kerala, on 13th February and 13th March 2024 respectively, showed surprising insights into the dietary habits of these shark species. The male C. amblyrhynchoides specimen, which measured 210 cm in total length and weighed 54 kg was caught by a hook and line operated in the Arabian Sea off the south-west coast of India. The gut length was 46 cm, with a weight of 880 grams. Notably, the content weight was found to be 358 grams, indicating substantial recent feeding activity. The state of the gut was observed to be three-fourth full, suggesting a well-fed condition. Among the dietary findings was the presence of a bird belonging to the Laridae family identified as Chlidonias niger (Black Tern) from its black and white plumage with a black bill and black eyes. It weighed 133 grams. The presence of this bird in the gut contents indicated the shark’s opportunistic predatory behaviour. In addition to the bird, the gut contents also included 1 puffer fish, 2 crabs (Charybdis smithii) and beaks of the oceanic purpleback flying squid Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis, showing the wide diet spectrum of C. amblyrhynchoides.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | sharks; avian prey |
Subjects: | Demersal Fisheries > Shark fisheries Food and Feeding Marine Birds |
Divisions: | CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Finfish Fisheries Division Subject Area > CMFRI > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Finfish Fisheries Division CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Finfish Fisheries Division Subject Area > CMFRI-Kochi > Marine Capture > Finfish Fisheries Division |
Depositing User: | Arun Surendran |
Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2024 05:29 |
Last Modified: | 05 Nov 2024 05:29 |
URI: | http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/id/eprint/19027 |
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