title: Longevity of Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks Rhizoprionodon terraenovae and Blacknose Sharks Carcharhinus acronotus in the western North Atlantic Ocean based on tag-recapture data and direct age estimates.
abstract: Longevity of Rhizoprionodon terraenovae and Carcharhinus acronotus in the western North Atlantic Ocean was examined using direct age estimates from vertebral sections and tag-recapture data. Time-at-liberty ranged from 7.7-14.0 years (mean =10.1) for R. terraenovae and 10.9-12.8 years (mean =11.9) for C. acronotus. Maximum estimated longevity was determined to be 19.8 years through tag-recapture data and 18.5 years from direct age estimates for R. terraenovae and 22.8 years through tag-recapture data and 20.5 years through direct age estimates for C. acronotus. These longevity estimates represent a large increase over previous estimates and may have significant effects on analyses that depend on longevity including lifetime fecundity, mortality rates, demographic analyses and stock assessments.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA.
authors.forename: Bryan S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.affiliation: National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories, Pascagoula, MS, 39567, USA.
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Driggers Iii
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA.
authors.forename: Glenn F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Ulrich
keywords: Carcharhinus; Rhizoprionodon; longevity; shark