Deep-water observation of scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini in the western Indian Ocean off Tanzania

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A scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini was observed opportunistically from a remotely operated vehicle 1 m off the seabed at 1042 m depth, during hydrocarbon exploration activities in the Ruvuma Basin off Tanzania. The observation, which occurred during night hours, is the deepest accurately recorded for this species and the first deep-water record for the Indian Ocean. The record adds support for the occurrence in deep water during night hours being a widespread and possibly common behaviour in this species, and further expands a small but growing literature that meso- and bathypelagic environments may be of greater importance to elasmobranchs previously considered to be primarily epipelagic.
Original languageEnglish
JournalMarine Biodiversity Records
Volume8
Issue numbere91
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
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