Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) fish species and Nurse shark information

Scientific Name
Ginglymostoma cirratum

Common Name
Nurse shark

Biology
Found on continental and insular shelves. Solitary (Ref. 26340) and sluggish fish, often encountered lying on the bottom (Ref. 9987). Nocturnal, feeding on bottom invertebrates such as spiny lobsters, shrimps, crabs, sea urchins, squids, octopi, snails and bivalves, and fishes like catfishes, mullets, puffers and stingrays. Ovoviviparous with 21 to 28 young in a litter (Ref. 9987, 43278). Kept in captivity for researches. May attack humans if they are molested or stepped upon accidentally. Edible, but mainly valued for its hide, which makes extremely tough and durable leather (Ref. 9987). Common over shallow sand flats, in channels, and around coral reefs; young may be found among prop roots of red mangroves (Ref. 26938).

Classification

Classified By

Bonnaterre, 1788

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Carpet sharks (Orectolobiformes)

Family

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostomatidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Atlantic

Distribution

Western Atlantic: Rhode Island, USA to southern Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, Antilles. Eastern Atlantic: Cape Verde to Gabon; accidental to France. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California and southern Baja California, Mexico to Peru. Closely related species are found in the Indian Ocean.

Range

44°N - 35°S, 122°W - 10°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

130 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 130 m (Ref. 43278), usually 1 - 35 m (Ref. 40849)

Trophic Level

3.83 s.e. 0.54 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

430 cm

Common Length

304 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.1250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (69 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.14; tmax=25; Fec=21-28)

Threat To Humans

Traumatogenic (Ref. 4690)

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)

Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) fish species and information / pictures of Nurse shark - Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population