Unexpected prey: lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) observed preying on an alien invasive freshwater fish in a remote no-take marine reserve in the Equatorial Atlantic

Autor(es)

Rangel, Bianca S. ; Correa, Mariano ; Agostinho, Lorena Soares ; Borges, Fabio ; Galvao, Bruno ; Heithaus, Michael

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES; v. 108, n. 10, p. 7-pg., 2025-09-04.

Resumo

This study provides the first evidence of lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) preying on the invasive jaguar guapote (Parachromis managuensis) in a marine environment. Feeding events occurred after heavy rainfall, connecting the mangrove to Sueste Bay (Fernando de Noronha Archipelago), likely facilitating fish movement. Both adult and young-of-the-year sharks targeted the invasive fish, demonstrating opportunistic behavior. These findings raise ecological questions about the role of native predators in reducing invasive species. Further research should quantify the frequency of guapote predation in shark diets as well as the population-level effects on this invasive species to evaluate its ecological significance. Given the lemon shark's threatened status and the rapid proliferation of invasive species in oceanic islands, documenting these interactions is essential to inform urgent conservation and management strategies in vulnerable marine reserves. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 23/10020-0 - Integrando biomarcadores fisiológicos para entender o futuro dos tubarões em um refúgio oceânico com crescente pressão turística
• Beneficiário: Bianca de Sousa Rangel
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado