Carcharhinid shark species (Family Carcharhinidae), with special reference to the first records in the Egyptian mediterranean waters, Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

The present study aimed to provide an update on carcharhinid sharks (Family: Carcharhinidae) in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters, based on the differences in morphological features of the body. A total of 36 specimens of carcharhinid sharks belong to 7 species of family Carcharhinidae were seasonally collected from the commercial catch at land fish market in Alexandria of Mediterranean Sea, during the period from May 2017 to June 2018. Morphometric characters were recorded for each specimen. Many photos had been captured for each shark specimen and processed by Image J software for calculating different ratios of morphological aspects for shark’s body. Results showed that seven species belonging to the family Carcharhinidae (Carcharhinus altimus, C. brachyurus, C. brevipinna, C. falciformis, C. obscurus, C. plumbeus and Prionace glauca) were found to inhibit the Egyptian Mediterranean waters at Alexandria. Four of them were firstly recorded in the Egyptian Mediterranean waters (i.e. C. brachyurus, C. falciformis, C. obscurus and Prionace glauca. Our study was attempted to add some morphometric characters for the identification of studied species. Statistical analysis of morphometric ratios showed significant differences between investigated species (P<0.05), revealing its capability as classifying tool.