Article
Age and Growth of the Bull Shark in the Western North Atlantic Ocean
Lisa J. Natanson,
Douglas H. Adams,
Megan V. Winton,
Jasmine R. Maurer,
Corresponding Author
Lisa J. Natanson
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 28 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 02882 USA
[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDouglas H. Adams
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 1220 Prospect Avenue 285, Melbourne, Florida, 32901 USA
Search for more papers by this authorMegan V. Winton
Coonamessett Farm Foundation, 277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 02536 USA
Search for more papers by this authorJasmine R. Maurer
Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, 95 Sterling Highway, Suite 2, Homer, Alaska, 99603 USA
Search for more papers by this authorLisa J. Natanson,
Douglas H. Adams,
Megan V. Winton,
Jasmine R. Maurer,
Corresponding Author
Lisa J. Natanson
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 28 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, Rhode Island, 02882 USA
[email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDouglas H. Adams
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 1220 Prospect Avenue 285, Melbourne, Florida, 32901 USA
Search for more papers by this authorMegan V. Winton
Coonamessett Farm Foundation, 277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 02536 USA
Search for more papers by this authorJasmine R. Maurer
Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, 95 Sterling Highway, Suite 2, Homer, Alaska, 99603 USA
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Age and growth estimates for the Bull Shark Carcharhinus leucas were derived from 121 vertebral centra collected from Bull Sharks (59.1–223.5cm FL) between 1966 and 2010 in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Size at birth was confirmed with an additional 20 embryos (44.2–54.4cm FL). The maximum age based on vertebral band pair counts was 25 (184cm FL) and 27 (196cm FL) years for males and females, respectively. The logistic and Gompertz growth models fitted the size-at-age data best for males and females, respectively. Based on previously published estimates of length at maturity, males mature at 15–17years (176–185cm FL) and females at 15years (189cm FL). Bull Sharks in the western North Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico have similar growth rates and reach similar sizes at age.
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