Leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) are common benthic sharks found in the bays, estuaries and coastal waters of the Pacific coast of North America. They occur seasonally within the sloughs and bays of Central California which provide birthing and nursery habitat during the spring and summer months.
Late age of first reproduction, and low reproduction and growth rates, typical of many elasmobranchs, potentially make this species susceptible to overfishing. The decline of an apex benthic predator such as the leopard shark, could have wide scale community effects. The feeding behavior of the leopard shark is therefore of great interest.
Previous work on leopard shark feeding was primarily qualitative, in which seasonal and size class differences in diet composition were examined. Quantitative aspects of leopard shark feeding have yet to be addressed.
An important quantitative aspect of an animal's biology is its rate of food consumption, which influences major factors including growth, reproduction, survival, and rate of predation. In turn, predation rate information of a major predator will contribute greatly to understanding the community structure and function of their ecosystem.
The proposed study will utilize both field and laboratory methods to measure the rate and function characteristics of gastric evacuation, and estimate the daily ration of the leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata).