Non-invasive methods characterise the world's largest tiger shark aggregation in Fuvahmulah, Maldives.

ABSTRACT: Tiger sharks are apex predators with a circumglobal tropical and warm-temperate distribution, with a general lack of population data for the central Indian Ocean. In Fuvahmulah, Maldives, tiger sharks display frequent use of the harbour area, attracted by discarded fish waste. Here, we document the population structure, residency, and reproductive characteristics of the world's largest known tiger shark aggregation in a geographically-restricted area. Using non-invasive methods, photo identification and laser photogrammetry, we identified 239 individual tiger sharks over a 7-year study period. The aggregation was female-dominated (84.5%), with both large juveniles and adults present. Adult females were resighted over the entire study period displaying strong inter- and intra-annual site fi

SUBMITTER: Vossgaetter L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11420367 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature