Northerly range expansion and first confirmed records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox, in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Authors

David J. Curnick, Zoological Society of London Institute of Zoology
Phil Hosegood, School of Biological and Marine Sciences

ORCID

• Phil Hosegood: 0000-0002-4415-7152

Abstract

Three Odontaspis ferox (confirmed by mtDNA barcoding) were found in the English Channel and Celtic Sea in 2023 at Lepe, UK (50.7846, −1.3508), Kilmore Quay, Ireland (52.1714, −6.5937), and Lyme Bay, UK (50.6448, −2.9302). These are the first records of O. ferox in either country, and extend the species' range by over three degrees of latitude, to >52° N. They were ~275 (female), 433 (female), and 293 cm (male) total length, respectively. These continue a series of new records, possibly indicative of a climate change−induced shift in the species' range.

DOI

10.1111/jfb.15529

Publication Date

2023-08-21

Publication Title

Journal of Fish Biology

ISSN

0022-1112

Embargo Period

2024-08-20

Recommended Citation

Curnick, D., & Hosegood, P. (2023) 'Northerly range expansion and first confirmed records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox, in the United Kingdom and Ireland', Journal of Fish Biology, . Available at: 10.1111/jfb.15529