Whitetip Reef Shark

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Whitetip Reef Shark - Mamaru
(Triaenodon obesus)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

	Throughout the Indopacific and Eastern Pacific, from East Africa to Mesoamerica
	Lagoons and reefs
	Whitetip reef sharks are nocturnal hunters, and are known to roam the reef at night in cooperative bands, drawing out hidden fish and crustaceans.
	Whitetip reef sharks are often encountered resting on the bottom.  They typically spend their days in caves, under coral ledges or in sand patches with low current, and can sometimes be found in large groups.
	- MarineBio.org - Moorea Biocode Database

Southern Bluefin Tuna

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Southern Bluefin Tuna - Aahi taria poto
(Thunnus maccoyii)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

There are three species of bluefin tuna, Atlantic, Pacific and Southern, of which the Southern is the smallest and most widely distributed.  All three are popular game fish and are highly prized for sushi.  The largest may be worth as much as $50,000 in Japanese markets, where they fetch up to $200 per kilogram (~$100 per pound). 

	Throughout the southern oceans
	Southern Bluefin Tuna are found out in the open ocean.
	Southern Bluefin feed on fish, crustaceans and squid.
	Bluefins, like other true tuna, are warm-blooded.  They are able to elevate their body temperatures above the surrounding water temperature using their large muscles and an intricate heat-exchange system that retains heat in the animal's core.  This allows them to be very active and powerful swimmers, even in cold water, easily out swimming their prey.
	- MarineBio.org - Moorea Biocode Database

Silvertip Shark

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Silvertip Shark - Ma’o tapete
(Carcharhinus albimarginatus)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

	Throughout the Indopacific, from East Africa to the Americas
	Reef slopes and channels
	Fish and squid
	Silvertip reef sharks, like other sharks in its family, are viviparous, meaning that they develop their young internally, and give birth to fully developed young.  They may have up to 11 pups at a time.
	- Florida Museum of Natural History - Moorea Biocode Database

Lemon Shark

[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Sicklefin Lemon Shark - Ma'o 'arava
(Negaprion acutidens)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

	Indopacific, from East Africa to Polynesia.
	Reef slopes and channels, as well as sandy bays and lagoons
	Fish and crustaceans
	Lemon sharks give birth to live young, and can have up to 14 pups per litter. The sicklefin lemon shark is hunted in various countries for its meat, liver oil and fins for sharkfin soup.
	- Wikipedia - Moorea Biocode Database