Biology, ecology, and status of the smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata in the USA

Endangered species research

Rachel M. Scharer^7¹  R. Dean Grubbs^5²  Tonya R. Wiley^2³  John K. Carlson^3⁴  Adam B. Brame^1⁵  Jason Osborne^6⁶  Sonja V. Fordham^4⁷ 

[1]Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Charlotte Harbor Field Laboratory, Port Charlotte, Florida 33954, USA^7

[2]Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St. Teresa, Florida 32358, USA^5

[3]Havenworth Coastal Conservation, Palmetto, Florida 34221, USA^2

[4]NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Panama City, Florida 32408, USA^3

[5]NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA^1

[6]National Park Service, South Florida Natural Resource Center, Homestead, Florida 33034, USA^6

[7]Shark Advocates International, Washington, DC 20036, USA^4

关键词: Elasmobranch;    Pristidae;    Age and growth;    Population recovery;    Conservation;    Habitat use;    Management;   

DOI  :  10.3354/esr00952

学科分类：动物科学

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

The smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata is threatened with extinction throughout its range and has been designated as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. In the USA, the species historically ranged from Texas to North Carolina, but mortality in fisheries and habitat loss have reduced the range to primarily southwest Florida. The US population was listed as endangered under the US Endangered Species Act in 2003. At that time, data on the biology and ecology of the species were limited. Research and outreach efforts have since expanded, and the quality and quantity of information has increased such that the US population is now one of the most well-studied sawfish populations worldwide. Smalltooth sawfish are born in litters of 7-14 individuals at lengths of 64-81 cm stretched total length (STL), reach maturity in 7-11 yr at approximately 340 cm STL for males and 370 cm STL for females, grow to a maximum size of about 500 cm STL, and live an estimated 30 yr in the wild. Smalltooth sawfish are piscivorous and shift from shallow estuarine waters as small juveniles to a broader array of coastal habitats as large juveniles and adults. The species is physiologically resilient to anthropogenic stressors, but preserving habitat and reducing fishing effects remain priorities. Data synthesized in this review have advanced our understanding of smalltooth sawfish life history and habitat needs, as well as the threats that continue to affect the population. Cumulatively, these data support optimism for recovery of the smalltooth sawfish in the USA and potentially beyond, though recovery will still require decades.

【 授权许可】

Unknown