Published January 14, 2019 | Version v1
Journal article Open

First in situ observations of the sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo), from the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas

  • 1. Department of Ocean Engineering, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882, USA
  • 2. School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11720, USA
  • 3. Beneath the Waves, PO Box 126, Herndon, Virginia 20172, USA
  • 4. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, Florida 33149, USA & Beneath the Waves, PO Box 126, Herndon, Virginia 20172, USA

Description

Using a baited remote underwater video system (BRUV), we provide the first recorded in situ observation of the sharpnose sevengill shark, Heptranchias perlo (Bonnaterre, 1788), from the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas.  The individual was recorded at a depth of 718 meters, allowing for visual analysis of behavior in its natural environment. Temperature recordings of  about 9° C at this depth indicate that H. perlo is physiologically capable of thriving within the lower mesophotic zone. This observation underscores the need to conduct further explorations of elasmobranch diversity and distribution in the Bahamas, which can be readily facilitated by BRUV-based methods.
 

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