title: Distribution, size frequency, and sex ratios of blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus at Palmyra Atoll: a predator-dominated ecosystem.
abstract: Blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus were the most abundant predator in the lagoons at Palmyra Atoll. They were evenly distributed throughout the lagoons, although there was some evidence of sexual segregation. Males reach sexual maturity between 940-1,020 mm L(T). Bird remains were found in some C. melanopterus stomachs. C. melanopterus at Palmyra appear to be smaller than those at other locations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Rd, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, USA. yannis@hawaii.edu
authors.forename: Y P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Papastamatiou
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Caselle
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Friedlander
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012754:Sharks / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*