Lea, J.S.E., Humphries, N.E., Bortoluzzi, J., Daly, R., von Brandis, R., Patel, E., Clarke, C.R., Sims, D.W.
Frontiers in Marine Science (2020)
Summary: This study explores the influence of tidal cycles on the spatial behaviour of two sympatric reef shark species. Using high-resolution acoustic telemetry, researchers identified significant temporal and spatial niche partitioning driven by tidal phases. These findings suggest that tide-mediated foraging and habitat access play crucial roles in maintaining species coexistence and minimizing competitive overlap. The research contributes to a better understanding of diel and tidal behavioural patterns in reef sharks and has implications for refining temporal management strategies, particularly in regions where human activity varies predictably with tidal accessibility.