Trophic ecology of juvenile bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) in the Coyote estuary, Costa Rica.

Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a near-threatened elasmobranch species capable of moving between the fresh and salty waters of tropical and subtropical coastal areas, for which we still lack important ecological information. During their first years of life, bull sharks use estuarine systems as nursery areas, making them highly susceptible to environmental and anthropogenic pressures. We studied the trophic ecology of juveniles found in the Coyote estuary, a potential nursery area in Costa Rica, to understand the potential impact of further bull shark declines and gain knowledge that could aid in their conservation. We analysed the trophic ecology of juvenile bull sharks [81-103 cm total length (TL)] in the Coyote estuary, Costa Rica, using stable isotopes of δ15 N and δ13 C. Since one problem using this technique in juveniles is the confounding effect of the maternal signature, we sampled different tissues (muscle and plasma), verified the status of the shark's umbilical scar and identified the size at which the isotope signature is a result of the animal's current diet. The isotopic values of the muscle tissue reflected the maternal isotopic signature. In contrast, plasma values reflected the diet of juvenile bull sharks >95 cm TL and with a closed umbilical scar. Juvenile bull sharks fed primarily on teleost fishes of the order Anguilliformes and Siluriformes, and have a high trophic position (≥4.0) in the Coyote estuary. Our findings suggest that this estuary is an important feeding site for juvenile bull sharks of the Pacific of Costa Rica. Thus, the protection of essential habitats such as the Coyote estuary will benefit not only bull shark conservation, but also the conservation of an array of fish species that also use this habitat as a rookery, many of which are of commercial interest.

A priority nursery area for the conservation of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini in Mexico.

This study describes the genetic diversity and level of genetic differentiation of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini from eight putative nursery areas in the Mexican Pacific Ocean, using the mtDNA control region. Genetic analyses revealed a particular spatial divergence between La Reforma and all the remaining sites, with five exclusive haplotypes and the highest genetic diversity. This pattern may be interpreted as the signature of regional female philopatry, relatively to a particular female-mediated gene flow for La Reforma, which shows a strong subdivision in the Gulf of California.

Heavy metal concentrations in the Pacific sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon longurio from the Santa Rosalia mining zone, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Rhizoprionodon longurio is an important commercial species captured in an area with heavy metal presence due to the mining waste from Santa Rosalia, Gulf of California, and levels of heavy metals in its muscle remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether contamination levels are below the limits allowed for human consumption and to prevent health damage. Concentrations of essential (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and non-essential (Ag, Cd, and Pb) trace elements were determined in fifty-seven muscle samples of R. longurio. The average concentrations of Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Cd > Ag did not exceed the permissible limits for human consumption established by the Mexican norm, WHO, and FAO. The mineral daily ingestion was 0.10 to 0.53 % × 100 g of muscle, and the percentage of weekly consumption was 2.5 % to <12 % concerning corporal weight. The meat from this shark can be consumed due to its low toxic potential for human health.

How to stay together? Habitat use by three sympatric sharks in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Sharks are top predators and play an important role in the regulation of marine ecosystems at lower trophic position. Mustelus californicus, Sphyrna zygaena, and Isurus oxyrinchus prove to be important fishery resources along the western coast of Baja California Sur and cohabit the same coastal areas, probably sharing resources. However, our knowledge about ecological dynamics of multiple species coexisting and sharing similar habitat resources is still limited, particularly for predators such as sharks. Therefore, this study focuses on the analysis of trophic ecology of the sharks species, using carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N) stable isotope values in muscle tissues coupled with trace element concentration (Hg, Se, and Cd) in muscle and hepatic tissues of sharks. The values of δ13C (M. californicus -17.3 ± 1.1‰, S. zygaena -17.9 ± 0.5‰, and I. oxyrinchus -18.3 ± 0.3‰) and δ15N (M. californicus 18.2 ± 1.1‰, S. zygaena 18.4 ± 0.9‰, and I. oxyrinchus 17.8 ± 1.1‰) indicated that these species feed in the Gulf of Ulloa all throughout the year, and for extended periods with similar habitat use and trophic niche. The above-mentioned statement is also a conclusion supported by the significant correlation between isotopic and trace element concentrations in the muscular tissues in all studied species. Thus, the results of the present study emphasize the habitat and niche characteristics of three sympatric sharks off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Mercury and selenium concentrations in different tissues of brown smooth-hound shark (Mustelus henlei) from the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

A study on mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) concentrations in the liver and muscle of brown smooth-hound shark Mustelus henlei and its principal prey items, was conducted in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Average Hg concentrations were found to be high in the muscle than in the liver; however, Hg concentrations were below the maximum permissible limits, and hence, the consumption of this species does not constitute a risk to human health. The mean Se concentrations were higher in the liver than in the muscle. The results of Hg: Se molar ratio revealed that Se counteracts the toxicity of Hg in hepatic tissues, whereas the contrary occurs in the muscle. Significant differences in Hg and Se accumulation were observed between females and males. Biomagnification factor values >1 demonstrate a biomagnification process from its principal prey species (i.e., red crab, Pleuroncodes planipes and Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus).

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of Cd in commercially sought brown smoothhound Mustelus henlei in the western coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

A study on cadmium concentration in Mustelus henlei (liver and muscle) was carried out in an area influenced by natural phosphorite deposits and coastal upwelling. Our results indicate that liver (0.96 µg/g) concentrations were higher compared to the muscle (0.040 µg/g) suggesting it is on the safer level for human consumption. The male/female ratio indicates higher values (based on liver & muscle) in males (0.899 µg/g), which contributes to these differences in concentration. Higher values in the liver (0.96 µg/g) is due to the influence of phosphorite deposits in the region as well as the high metabolic activity. The other important factor responsible for these high Cd values are the prey, which also poses high values and is well supported by the biomagnification (1.08 & 4.57) of this element. The study also benefited in evaluating the environmental conditions for this particular species and elemental concentration in relation to human health.