Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Gardiner, Jayne
Area of Concentration
Marine Biology
Abstract
The Manatee River is a non-thermally altered estuarine river that flows into the southern edge of Tampa Bay. Prior studies suggest that temperature and salinity are the primary factors driving juvenile bull shark habitat use. However, previously-studied nurseries at latitudes similar to the Manatee River have been in thermally-altered rivers. The objective was to examine immature bull shark use of this habitat in relation to variation in temperature and salinity. A network of acoustic receivers was deployed within the Manatee River to track movements of acoustically-tagged juvenile bull sharks (n=20). Incorporating data from New College’s temperature/salinity loggers and from USGS stations, the hourly temperature and salinity at each station in the river were modeled. The effect of temperature and salinity on the river distance of bull sharks from the mouth were examined, considering variation due to age. It was found that the bull sharks do overwinter in Manatee River, even though it is not warmed by thermal pollution. Habitat partitioning by salinity between age groups was also observed for sharks aged <1 to 5 years of age. This study also found a much higher salinity preference range for the bull sharks than any previous study in Florida.
Recommended Citation
Hampton, Cecilia, "IMMATURE BULL SHARK HABITAT USE AND RESIDENCY IN THE MANATEE RIVER, A NON-THERMALLY ALTERED NURSERY AREA" (2022). Theses & ETDs. 6242.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6242