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Biological Profiles

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South Florida Aquatic Environments About the Different Groups of Fishes About the Anatomy of Fish and Sharks How Fish and Sharks Swim About Fish Adaptations About the Endangered Species Act How to Become a Biologist About Careers In Ichthyology Most Commonly Asked Shark Questions Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Most Commonly Asked Ray and Skate Questions Most Commonly Asked Fish Questions Identification Key to Freshwater Fishes of Peninsular Florida Field Key to Sharks Skates of the Western Gulf of Maine Project Shark Awareness - A Public Outreach Educational Program Shark Fishing in U.S. Territorial Waters Most Commonly Asked Sawfish Questions Sawfish In Peril - PowerPoint file Sawfish Informational Brochure - Acrobat file Sawfish Outreach Boat Ramp/Marina Sign - Acrobat file Sawfish References Sawfish Links Smalltooth Sawfish species profile Largetooth Sawfish species profile Green Sawfish species profile Freshwater Sawfish species profile Dwarf Sawfish species profile Knifetooth Sawfish species profile Chondrichthyes Bibliography Search Freshwater Fishes of Florida References General Fish References Shark References Sawfish References Childrens' Shark Books Stingray Reproduction References Biological Profiles Glossary of Terms Shark Games: Test Your Knowlege! 2003 Open House Photos NARROWTOOTH SHARK Order - Carcharhiniformes Family - Carcharhinidae Genus - Carcharhinus Species - brachyurus Taxonomy Günther first described Carcharhinus brachyurus in 1870. Synonyms include Carcharias lamiella Jordan and Gilbert 1882, Eulamia ahenea Stead 1938, Carcharhinus improvisus Smith 1952, Carcharhinus rochensis Abella 1972, Carcharhinus remotoides Deng, Xiong and Zhan 1981, and Carcharhinus acarenatus Morenos and Hoyos 1983. The genus name Carcharhinus is derived from the Greek "karcharos" meaning sharpen and "rhinos" meaning nose; the species name brachyurus means "short-bodied". Common Names English language common names for this species include narrowtooth shark, bronze, bronze whaler, bronze whaler shark, bronzie, cocktail shark, cocktail whaler, narrow-tooth shark, copper shark. The common name of copper shark is in reference to the coppery body color while the common name bronze whaler refers to the alleged habit of feeding on whale carcasses in Australian waters. Other common names include karcharinos vrachyouros (Greek), bacota, cazón, jaqueta, jaquetón, tiburón cobrizo and tollo mantequero (Spanish), bronzie and koperhaai (Afrikaans), cá mâp duôi ngan (Vietnamese), cacão and tubarão-cobre (Portuguese), horopekapeka, ngerungeru and toiki (Maori), kobberhaj (Danish), koperhaai (Dutch), kopparhai (Swedish), kupferhai (German), kuroherimejiro (Japanese), requin and requin cuivre (French), squalo ramato (Italian) and zarlacz miedziany (Polish). Geographical Distribution The narrowtooth shark has a world wide distribution in warm temperate and subtropical waters. Locally, it can be found from North Carolina to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. World distribution map for the narrowtooth shark Habitat The narrowtooth shark commonly occupies a variety of habitats from freshwater and brackish areas of large rivers to shallow bays and estuaries. It has been found from the surf line to depths of up to 328 feet (100 m), but is believed to range deeper. Biology Narrowtooth sharks © Doug Perrine · Distinctive Features The narrowtooth shark is stocky with a slight arch to the body above the gill slits. It has a lean and pointed snout and characteristic narrowly triangular teeth. The eyes of this shark are circular and relatively large. Narrowtooth sharks have moderately large pectoral fins with narrowly rounded or pointed tips. The caudal fin has a bulge near the base of the front edge. This species lacks an interdorsal ridge. Although this shark may be easily confused with C. obscurus, C. limbatus, C. plumbeus, and C. brevipinna, it can be distinguished by its distinctive upper teeth as well as the lack of any pronounced body markings and little to no dorsal ridge. · Coloration The narrowtooth shark is bronzy grey to olive-grey in color on its dorsal surface and white on the ventral surface. This counter shading serves to camouflage the animal from predators or prey below. This species has dark markings on the edge of its fins and white or dusky tips. Narrowtooth sharks are often confused with blacktip sharks or spinner sharks because of their markings. Narrowtooth shark jaw © Florida Program for Shark Research ·Dentition Juvenile narrowtooth sharks have teeth in the upper jaw that are finely serrated and have erect symmetrical cusps. Adult narrowtooth sharks on the other hand, have narrowly triangular finely serrated cusps in the center of the upper jaw, which become more oblique as they move out towards the corners of the mouth. The lower teeth are characterized by more oblique cusps and are finely serrated as well. Tooth counts range from 14 to 16 on either side of the upper jaw and 14 - 15 on either side if the lower jaw. ·Denticles The narrowtooth shark has placoid scales, commonly referred to as denticles, which are tooth-like in structure and very firmly embedded in the skin. ·Size, Age, and Growth Narrowtooth sharks average about 24 inches (61.0 cm) total length (TL) at birth. They commonly reach maturity at 81-93 inches (205.7-236.2 cm) TL and 89-96 inches (226.1-243.8 cm) TL for males and females respectively. The maximum size for a narrowtooth shark is reported to be 115 inches (292.1 cm) TL. The age at maturity is 13 years old for males, and 20 years old for females and the maximum age is unknown. Narrowtooth sharks feeding on sardines off the coast of South Africa © Doug Perrine · Food Habits The diet of the narrowtooth shark consists of a variety of cephalopods including squid and octopus as well as fishes such as sardines, mullet, and flatfish. During the winter months, large numbers of narrowtooth sharks follow the sardine shoals along the coast of southern Natal. Adult narrowtooth sharks are also known to feed on other elasmobranchs such as stingrays and sawfish. · Reproduction The narrowtooth shark has a viviparous mode of reproduction, which means that embryos develop inside the uteri of the mother and are born live. It is believed that reproduction in narrowtooth sharks occurs biennially. According to the limited data that is available on the biology of this species parturition in South Africa most likely occurs in June or July and litters range from 13 to 24 pups with an average of 15. Other studies have combined data from several locations and suggest varying paturation times from June to February. Gestation is estimated to last 12 months with the young approximately 23.2-27.6 inches (59-70 cm) TL at birth. The narrowtooth shark utilizes inshore bays and coasts as nursery areas. · Predators Some predators of the narrowtooth shark may include larger sharks and humans. · Parasites Otodistomum veliporum is a type of fluke that has been found in the stomach and spiral valve of narrowtooth sharks in Brazil. Cathetocephalus australis is a tapeworm that can also be found in narrowtooth sharks from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Importance to Humans The narrowtooth shark is commercially important in places like New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil. Although little has been recorded concerning landings of the narrowtooth shark, it is thought to be used for human consumption where it occurs. It is commonly taken in bottom trawls, by line gear and by sports fishermen. Danger to Humans The narrowtooth shark has been implicated in some attacks on swimmers. It is considered dangerous to humans but much less than a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) or bull shark (C. leucas). The International Shark Attack File has recorded 30 attacks linked to the narrowtooth shark since 1962, however none of these attacks resulted in a fatality. Conservation The narrowtooth shark was listed as "Near Threatened" on the IUCN Red List in 2003. This listing is based on the fact that this species does not seem to be naturally abundant anywhere. It appears to have small regional populations with little movement of individuals between populations. Prepared by: Michelle Press