title: Comparison of the reproductive ecology of two sympatric blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus and Carcharhinus tilstoni) off north-eastern Australia with species identification inferred from vertebral counts.
abstract: Precaudal vertebral counts were used to distinguish between 237 morphologically similar Carcharhinus limbatus and Carcharhinus tilstoni and were congruent with differences in reproductive ecology between the species. In addition to differing lengths at maturity and adult body size, the two species had asynchronous parturition, were born at different sizes and the relative frequencies of neonates differed in two coastal nursery areas. Despite evidence that hybridization can occur, these differences suggest the species are largely reproductively isolated.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia. alastair.harry@gmail.com
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Harry
authors.forename: J A T
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ovenden
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Simpfendorfer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D004463:Ecology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D060047:Reproductive Isolation; D012754:Sharks / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*