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Environmental enrichment effects on the reproductive behavior of captive nurse sharks Ginglymostoma cirratum

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Abstract

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum, Ginglymostomatidae) are one of the most exhibited shark species in aquariums worldwide. However, in these locations, their reproductive success rate is frequently low. Considering that there is probably an olfactory mediation for nurse shark reproduction, and that environmental enrichment has a potentially positive effect on reproduction of captive animals, the present study aimed to evaluate whether the use of olfactory enrichment would stimulate olfactory-driven behaviors and consequently generate effects in the exhibition of reproductive behaviors by the species both in the short and long term. The study was divided into three phases (control, short-term enrichment and long-term enrichment), was conducted at two institutions with distinct husbandry and used aqueous extracts of basil leaves as olfactory enrichment. Eleven individuals were selected through focal sampling for behavioral observations with instantaneous recording, the total of 120 h of observation were divided into active and inactive periods. Results showed that basil-based olfactory enrichment was effective in increasing the occurrence of reproductive behaviors in both female and male nurse sharks. Additionally, the long-term results showed higher effects in males, which strengthen the theory of olfactory mediation of reproductive behavior in the species as individuals became aware of the sensory cues in the environment and performed more olfactory-driven reproductive behaviors. It is important to note that enrichment effects are different between sexes and therefore close monitoring and scheduling are essential to avoid over-stimulation or habituation to the enrichment.

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  1. Projeto Tamar, personal communication

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the São Paulo Aquarium and the TAMAR Project staff for maintaining the sharks used in the present study and allowing observations out of working hours. They also thank all the contributors to the work, especially M. Miranda, B. Ogata, C. S. de Azevedo, C. Colbachini and W. Vilegas.

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Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Elasmobranch Research Lab, Coastal Campus of São Vicente, São Paulo State University, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente, SP, 11330-900, Brazil

    Helen Colbachini & Otto Bismarck Fazzano Gadig

  2. Aquário de São Paulo, R. Huet Bacelar, 407, São Paulo, SP, 04275-000, Brazil

    Helen Colbachini

  3. Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Husbandry, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-010, Brazil

    Cristiane Schilbach Pizzutto

  4. Laboratory of Bioprospection of Natural Products – Biosciences Institute, Coastal Campus of São Vicente, São Paulo State University, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n, São Vicente, SP, 11330-900, Brazil

    Leonardo Mendes de Souza Mesquita

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Contributions

H Colbachini, LM de Souza Mesquita and OBF Gadig performed the experiments. H Colbachini, CS Pizzutto, LM de Souza Mesquita and OBF Gadig analyzed and interpreted the data. H Colbachini and CS Pizzutto wrote the manuscript. H Colbachini, CS Pizzutto, LM de Souza Mesquita and OBF Gadig critically revised the manuscript. All authors approved the manuscript for publication.

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Correspondence to Helen Colbachini.

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The use and care of experimental animals obeyed the Brazilian laws, guidelines and policies on animal welfare, according to IBAMA (IN 07/2015) and by the institutions technical staff. As no invasive method was applied, no further ethical approval was required.

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Colbachini, H., Pizzutto, C.S., de Souza Mesquita, L.M. et al. Environmental enrichment effects on the reproductive behavior of captive nurse sharks Ginglymostoma cirratum. Environ Biol Fish 104, 471–488 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01087-7

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