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LEMON SHARK (Negaprion
brevirostris) Recognition: The lemon shark has a snout shorter than the width of the mouth, and a second dorsal fin that is nearly as large as the first. The upper teeth have narrow. triangular. smooth-edged cusps, and broad, finely serrated bases. The lower teeth have narrow, triangular, smooth-edged, erect cusps. Color: Color is yellowish green, brown, or olive gray, occasionally dark brown. The undersides are yellowish The characteristic yellowish tinge gives it the name lemon shark. Size: Specimens 240-300 cm (7.8-10 ft) are common. Maximum size is about 320 cm (10.5 ft) Similar species: The bull shark has a similar snout but its second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first. The sand tiger shark has a similar color and also has two equally large dorsal fins, however. it has narrow needle-like teeth with smaller denticles on the side. Biology: The lemon shark ranges from New Jersey to Brazil. It is common from the Carolinas to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico It is a shore species; the young are very common around mangrove flats while adults are common in saltwater creeks, bays and sounds by night arid in deeper coastal waters by day. Economic importance: It is locally important in Florida shark fisheries where it is utilized for both its meat and fins. It is a popular aquarium species because it may survive a few years. Fishing: It is normally caught at night in shallow coastal waters. Carcass: The presence of two equally large fins (or fin Cuts) and the characteristic yellowish color distinguish it from all other requiem sharks. Only the sand tiger shark has similar large dorsal fins and coloration The easiest way to separate carcasses of these two species is to look at the skin denticles with a magnifying glass (a hand lens of about 10-15 power works best). Lemon shark carcasses can be distinguished from sand tiger carcasses by their overlapping denticles with three or more rearward points. Those of the sand tiger do not overlap and end in a single point. References |
Last updated: November 8, 1998
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