Evaluation of an underwater biopsy probe for collecting tissue samples from bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas

This study evaluated the use of a novel underwater biopsy probe designed to collect muscle and dermal tissue samples from large (170-220 cm total length), free-swimming bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas. The biopsy probe tissue retention rate was 87% after 23 trials, and the mean size of retained tiss...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAfrican journal of marine science Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 129 - 132
Main Authors Daly, R, Smale, MJ
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Grahamstown Taylor & Francis Group 01.03.2013
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
biopsy probe
Carcharhinus leucas
laser photogrammetry
Marine
non-lethal sampling
Sharks
underwater photography
Wound healing
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Summary:This study evaluated the use of a novel underwater biopsy probe designed to collect muscle and dermal tissue samples from large (170-220 cm total length), free-swimming bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas. The biopsy probe tissue retention rate was 87% after 23 trials, and the mean size of retained tissue was 310 mg (SD 78). Biopsy sampling provided a method t o obtain tissue samples without having to capture or restrain the shark. In all cases retained tissue samples were large enough to conduct stable isotope or genetic analysis. Biopsy sampling used in conjunction with other fishery independent and non-lethal methods may become an increasingly useful tool to investigate shark populations where researchers encounter logistical or conservation-related constraints.
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ISSN:1814-232X
1814-2338
DOI:10.2989/1814232X.2013.769910