Novel techniques and insights into the deployment of pop-up satellite archival tags on a small-bodied deep-water chondrichthyan. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shipley, Oliver N.; Howey, Lucy A.; Tolentino, Emily R.; Jordan, Lance K.B.; Brooks, Edward J.
• Is Part Of: Deep sea research. Volume 119(2017)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Behaviour -- Post-release recovery -- Predation -- Tag consumption -- Vertical habitat use -- Squalus cubensis; Oceanography -- Periodicals; Océanographie -- Périodiques; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dsr.2016.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-0637

Abstract

Abstract: Acquiring movement data for small-bodied, deep-water chondrichthyans is challenged by extreme effects of capture and handling stress, and post-release predation, however, it is urgently required to examine important fisheries interactions and assess the ecological role of these species within deep-water food webs. Here we suggest a novel release-cage mechanism to deploy pop-up satellite archival tags, as well as present vertical habitat data for a data-deficient, small-bodied, deep-water bycatch species, the Cuban dogfish ( Squalus cubensis ). Data were gathered from seven of eight High Rate X-Tags deployed on mature Cuban dogfish in the Exuma Sound, The Bahamas. Recovery periods appeared variable between individuals and are likely driven by capture-and-handling stress and tag burden. Application of the cross-correlation function to time-series depth and temperature data indicated three of the seven individuals suffered mortality through predation, which occurred during daytime, and suggests Cuban dogfish may constitute a proportion of deep-water apex predator diet in the Exuma Sound. Two animals were successfully released via a novel release-cage mechanism and displayed either no, or rapid (<15 mins) vertically stationary recovery periods and were not consumed by predators; data for these individuals were recorded for the entire deployment duration (14 days). Vertical habitat data suggests Cuban dogfish are diel-vertical migrators, similar to other deep-water taxa, and exhibit a relatively broad temperature and depth range, which may be driven by preference for specific bathymetric structures. These techniques provide an important first step into acquiring and presenting vertical habitat data for small-bodied, deep-water chondrichthyans, which can be directly applied to fisheries and ecosystem-based management approaches. Highlights: We design and implement a release-cage mechanism to reduce predation. We deploy PSAT's to track the vertical movements of Cuban dogfish. The cage protected animals from predation, during their return to depth. Four of seven Cuban dogfish were tracked for the 14-day deployment duration. Animals performed diel vertical migrations, residing shallower during the night. Three animals were consumed by predators, which occurred during daytime.