The ecology of juvenile Largetooth Sawfish<em> Pristis pristis</em> in the Adelaide River, Northern Territory: movement patterns and habitat use. — ASN Events

The ecology of juvenile Largetooth Sawfish Pristis pristis in the Adelaide River, Northern Territory: movement patterns and habitat use. (#181)

Kate Buckley 1 , Peter Kyne 1 , David Crook 1 , Richard Pillans 2
  1. Charles Darwin University, Darwin
  2. CSIRO, Brisbane

The sawfishes (family Pristidae) are considered one of the most threatened groups of aquatic species, with all species assessed as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Largetooth Sawfish Pristis pristis was once globally widespread across the tropics but now northern Australia represents one of the species’ last remaining viable stocks (1). Nevertheless, this subpopulation has still undergone considerable declines in abundance and extent of its distribution. In northern Australia, many anthropogenic activities are considered threats to Largetooth Sawfish populations, including fishing and habitat modification (2). Effective management of the species is hampered by a lack of knowledge of the distribution, movement patterns, habitat use and requirements, life history and threats facings their populations. This information is required to provide a scientific basis for protection of critical habitats, mitigation of impacts, and regulation of harvest regimes (3). We aim to support the management of Largetooth Sawfish by providing an improved ecological understanding of juvenile Largetooth Sawfish. Acoustic tracking of juvenile Largetooth Sawfish in the Adelaide River of the Northern Territory is being undertaken using both active tracking and a passive receiver array. Preliminary results for the movement patterns and habitat use of Largetooth Sawfish are presented. Clearly identified and consistent movement patterns have been detected on larger spatial and temporal scales. On smaller spatial and temporal scales movement patterns are more variable.

  1. IUCN, R. L. (2013). Version 2013.2. Retrieved March 30, 2014, from www.iucnredlist.org
  2. Stevens, J. D., Pillans, R. D., & Salini, J. (2005). Conservation assessment of Glyphis sp. A (speartooth shark), Glyphis sp. C.(northern river shark), Pristis microdon (freshwater sawfish) and Pristis zijsron (green sawfish) Report for the Department of the Environment and Heritage.
  3. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2011c) Draft Issues Paper for freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon), green sawfish (Pristis zijsron), dwarf sawfish (Pristis clavata), speartooth shark (Glyphis glyphis) and northern river shark (Glyphis garracki). Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra.
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