Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough’s shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908

Peter M. Kyne; Leonard J. V. Compagno; Joanna Stead; Micha V. Jackson; Michael B. Bennett

doi:10.1071/mf10160

journal article Open Access Jun 24, 2011

Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough’s shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908

Peter M. Kyne

Leonard J. V. Compagno Joanna Stead Micha V. Jackson Michael B. Bennett

Marine and Freshwater Research Vol. 62 No. 6 pp. 540-547 · CSIRO Publishing

View at Publisher Save 10.1071/mf10160

Abstract

Despite increasing research effort and conservation focus on sharks, small species of little commercial value are often overlooked, although they make a considerable contribution to global diversity. The poorly known Colclough’s shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi, is naturally rare to uncommon and is encountered only irregularly. Collating all known records (n = 50), we review the species’ geographic and bathymetric distribution, habitat, reproductive biology and diet. All but four B. colcloughi records are from within a core distribution of &lt;2° latitude on the Australian east coast. Bathymetric distribution is from less than 4 to 217 m depth, with all but three records from less than 100 m depth. The species shelters on rocky reefs during the day and is thought to forage nocturnally around reefs and adjacent substrates. B. colcloughi is viviparous, with litter sizes of 6–7. Mature males and females have been observed from 61.0- and 54.5-cm total length, respectively. Gravid females have been collected in austral winter months. Dietary analysis indicates a predominantly piscivorous diet. Our results are placed in the context of existing threats and future research and management directions, demonstrating that shark species with low abundances and restricted ranges, such as B. colcloughi, require a suite of management arrangements to ensure long-term population viability.

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Details

Published: Jun 24, 2011
Vol/Issue: 62(6)
Pages: 540-547
License: View

Authors

P

Peter M. Kyne

ATropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.; ECorresponding author. Email: peter.kyne@cdu.edu.au

L

Leonard J. V. Compagno

BShark Research Center, Iziko – South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.

J

Joanna Stead

CSchool of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

M

Micha V. Jackson

DNorth Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.

M

Michael B. Bennett

CSchool of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

Cite This Article

Peter M. Kyne, Leonard J. V. Compagno, Joanna Stead, et al. (2011). Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough’s shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908. Marine and Freshwater Research, 62(6), 540-547. https://doi.org/10.1071/mf10160

Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough’s shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908

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