Additional records of the little sleeper shark, Somniosus rostratus (Elasmobranchii: Squaliformes: Somniosidae), in Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

This study investigates the distribution and morphometrics of the little sleeper shark, Somniosus rostratus (Risso, 1827), in the Mediterranean Sea. Ten sharks caught as bycatch between 2009 and 2019 in the northern sectors of the Strait of Sicily, the south Tyrrhenian Sea, the northwestern Ionian Sea, and the south Adriatic Sea using drifting longlines, as well as five retrieved from the Tripoli (Libya) marketplace, were morphologically confirmed to represent S. rostratus. The sharks exhibited typical characteristics for this species and were all caught from deep waters, indicating a potential mesopelagic habit. The study also utilized literature reviews and global databases for a comprehensive mapping of S. rostratus distribution in the Mediterranean Sea, which revealed sporadic occurrences in the eastern Mediterranean and an absence in the north Adriatic Sea. Morphometric data provided insights into the reproductive characteristics of S. rostratus. The study highlights the ecological significance of the Strait of Sicily (Central Mediterranean Sea) for the species, indicating it as a likely spawning area, and underscores the impact of the interactions between sharks and pelagic drifting swordfish fisheries in the Mediterranean, which result in increased mortality rates for threatened shark and ray species. Prioritizing conservation measures for endangered elasmobranch populations is crucial for maintaining marine ecosystem balance and ensuring fishery resource sustainability.