Effect of body size, feeding ecology and maternal transfer on mercury accumulation of vulnerable silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern tropical pacific*

The silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis is a large pelagic species distributed in the global oceans and was recently listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN because of its decline in population due to overfishing. As an apex predator, the silky shark can accumulate elevated quantities of mercury (Hg), posing a potential risk to its remaining population. In this study, total Hg (THg) concentrations were determined in silky shark muscle, liver, dermis, red blood cells (RBC) and plasma sampled from the eastern tropical Pacific, and 815N values were measured to explore the influence of feeding ecology on Hg accumulation. The highest THg concentrations were in muscle (7.81 +/- 6.70 mu g g � 1 dry weight (dw) or 2.14 +/- 1.83 mu g g � 1 wet weight (ww)) and liver (7.88 +/- 10.22 mu g g � 1 dw or 4.66 +/- 6.04 mu g g � 1 ww) rather than dermis, RBC and plasma. The THg concentrations in all tissue types were significantly correlated with fork length and showed faster accumulation rates after maturity. Maternal THg transfer was observed in silky sharks with embryos having 33.16% and 1.98% in muscle and liver compared with their respective mothers. The potentially harmful THg concentrations in silky shark tissues and embryos may lead to health problems of sharks and consumers. THg concentrations were negatively correlated with 815N values for all tissues, indicating likely baseline variations in 815N values that reflect changes in the foraging habitats or regions of silky sharks with size or age. Lastly, strong correlations were observed among THg concentrations of all tissue types, indicating that nonlethal sampling of muscle and dermis tissue can be used effectively to quantify THg concentration of other internal tissues.

Automated summary

This study examines the mercury concentration in different tissues of silky sharks and finds that muscle and liver have the highest mercury levels. The concentration of total mercury is significantly correlated with fork length and accumulates faster after maturity. The study also observes maternal transfer of mercury to embryos, and suggests potential risks to the health of sharks and consumers. Furthermore, the research highlights the correlation between mercury concentrations and nitrogen isotope values, indicating variations in foraging habitats or regions for silky sharks with size or age.