First Documentation Of Gravid Alopias Vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788) In The Southeastern Pacific: Evidence For A Potential Maternal Corridor

Authors

• Sarita Campos-León, Instituto del Mar del Peru
• Fabiola Zavalaga, Instituto del Mar del Peru
• Bryan L. Huerta-Beltrán, College of Arts and Sciences
• Stevens Lucero-Perez, Instituto del Mar del Peru
• Nicolas R. Ehemann, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

The thresher shark, found in temperate and tropical oceans, remains understudied in the southern Eastern Pacific. Here, we report the capture of pregnant Alopias vulpinus off Peru, detailing the analysis of four full-term embryos that exhibited oophagy as a nutritional strategy. The repeated capture of gravid females in this area suggests the potential presence of a gestation corridor along the Peruvian coast. These findings highlight the importance of accurate species identification and underscore the need for further research, thereby contributing to the conservation of this endangered shark species across the southeastern Pacific.

Publication Title

Journal of Fish Biology

Volume

108

Issue

1

First Page

407

Last Page

412

Recommended Citation

Campos-León, S., Zavalaga, F., Huerta-Beltrán, B., Lucero-Perez, S., Ehemann, N. (2026). First Documentation Of Gravid Alopias Vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788) In The Southeastern Pacific: Evidence For A Potential Maternal Corridor. Journal of Fish Biology, 108(1), 407-412.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/22075