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journal article Nov 16, 2024

Characterizing juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery areas in the Galapagos: new methods and understandings

Lauren S. Goodman ORCID Yasuní Chiriboga‐Paredes Jaye E. Cable Alex Hearn
Journal of Fish Biology Vol. 106 No. 3 pp. 760-774 · Wiley
View at Publisher Save 10.1111/jfb.15976
Abstract
AbstractNew approaches to abundance surveying utilizing unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) are proving to be effective tools in marine and terrestrial environments. We explored UAV efficacy for surveys in the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR), where relative abundance patterns of juvenile sharks and subsequent classifications of putative nursery areas based on environmental drivers are lacking. The UAV method allowed greater temporal and spatial coverage. We expanded classification of shark nursery habitat through monthly drone surveys and environmental data collection at 14 sites around San Cristobal Island (GMR) from November 2018 to July 2019. In the period of surveying, 56 flights identified 453 juvenile Carcharhinus limbatus (blacktip shark). Classification of nurseries followed three criteria, necessitating higher density, short‐term residency, and annual site fidelity in target locations. We developed preliminary generalized linear models to elucidate potential environmental parameters influencing the perceived abundance and habitat preference of juveniles. Four sites were identified as either potential nurseries or nursery areas for the target species based on previous excursions. An averaged model was subsequently created from the models found to best explain deviance patterns (R2 = 0.10–0.44) in perceived shark abundance and habitat preference. Relative variable importance (RVI) values further clarified the parameters most associated with higher juvenile presence. This approach provides a systematic method of abundance surveying while simultaneously beginning the process of defining when and where we expect to find higher abundance through environmental modelling of most influential parameters to perceived abundance in this environment.
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Showing 50 of 52 references

Metrics
2
Citations
52
References
Details
Published
Nov 16, 2024
Vol/Issue
106(3)
Pages
760-774
License
View
Authors
L
Lauren S. Goodman

Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA; Galapagos Science Center Universidad San Francisco de Quito Quito Ecuador

Y
Yasuní Chiriboga‐Paredes

Galapagos Science Center Universidad San Francisco de Quito Quito Ecuador; Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas Instituto Politécnico Nacional La Paz Baja California Sur Mexico

J
Jaye E. Cable

Environment, Ecology, and Energy Program University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA; Department of Earth, Marine, and Environmental Sciences University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA

A
Alex Hearn

Galapagos Science Center Universidad San Francisco de Quito Quito Ecuador; MigraMar Bodega Bay California USA

Funding
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Galapagos Science Center
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
Galapagos Conservation Trust
Cite This Article
Lauren S. Goodman, Yasuní Chiriboga‐Paredes, Jaye E. Cable, et al. (2024). Characterizing juvenile blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nursery areas in the Galapagos: new methods and understandings. Journal of Fish Biology, 106(3), 760-774. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15976
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