Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2013
Department
Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Abstract
Despite the circumglobal distribution of scalloped hammerheads, Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834), little information is available regarding fine-scale movement and habitat use patterns for this species. Over a 27-d period, data were collected on diel habitat use and environmental preferences of a 240 cm (total length) female S. lewini. The shark exhibited a consistent and repeated diel vertical movement pattern, making more than 76 deep nighttime dives; the maximum depth reached was 964 m, where the temperature was 5.8 degrees C. The purpose of the nightly oscillatory deep diving pattern is unknown but could possibly represent feeding behavior. These findings represent the first detailed account of S. lewini diel vertical behavior and habitat utilization in the western North Atlantic Ocean.
Publication Title
Bulletin of Marine Science
Volume
89
Issue
2
First Page
551
Last Page
557
Recommended Citation
Hoffmayer, E. R.,
Franks, J. S.,
Driggers, W. B.,
Howey, P. W.
(2013). Diel Vertical Movements of a Scalloped Hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Bulletin of Marine Science, 89(2), 551-557.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/7752