Lemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
Lemon shark. Photo © Anne DuPont
Order: Carcharhiniformes
Family: Carcharhinidae
Genus: Negaprion
Species: brevirostris
Common Names
The lemon shark gets its name because of its pale yellow brown coloring. It is also known as requin citron (France), tiburon galano (Spain), squalo limone (Italy), zitronenhai (Germany) cacao-limao (Brazil), ceq (Senegal),citroenhaii (Netherlands), galano (Cuba), limon (Mexico), requium shark (UK), tiburon amarillo (Ecuador) and tubarao-limao (Portugal).
Importance to Humans
Lemon shark with two bull sharks in background. Photo © Klaus Jost
Danger to Humans
These sharks represent a small threat to humans. According to the International Shark Attack File, there have been only 10 unprovoked attacks by lemon sharks, all occurring in Florida and the Caribbean. There have been no fatal attacks attributed to this species. The lemon shark does inhabit coastal waters which swimmers, surfers and divers commonly utilize. The low number of attacks by this species indicates that it is a minimal threat to humans.
Conservation
Lemon shark being landed on a shark fishing boat. Photo © Commerical Shark Fishery Observer Program/FLMNH
> Check the status of the lemonshark at the IUCN website.
The IUCN is a global union of states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations in a partnership that assesses the conservation status of species.
Geographical Distribution
World distribution map for the lemon shark
Habitat
The lemon shark is commonly found in subtropical shallow water to depths of 300 feet (90 m) and inhabits coral reefs, mangroves, enclosed bays, sounds and river mouths. However, this species will not penetrate deep into freshwater systems. Lemon sharks can be found in oceanic water during migration but tend to stay along the continental and insular shelves. The lemon shark is also known to form loose aggregations based on size and sex and have been seen congregating near docks and fishing piers during the night, returning to deep water during the day.

Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris). Illustration courtesy FAO, Species Identification and Biodata
Distinguishing Characteristics
1. First and second dorsal fins are triangular and close to the same size
2. Snout is blunt and shorter than the width of the mouth
3. The first dorsal fin originates behind the pectoral fins
Biology
Distinctive Features
Lemon shark. Photo © Jose Castro
Coloration
The lemon shark has a yellow/brown or olive gray coloration on the dorsal surface and a lighter yellowish color on the undersides. There are no conspicuous markings.
Dentition
The upper teeth are narrow and broad with triangular smooth-edged cusps and finely serrated bases. These teeth get more oblique as they get closer to the corner of the mouth. The lower teeth are narrow and triangular with smooth-edged cusps.
Lemon shark dentition, A) Fourth upper tooth, B) Second lower tooth, C) Tenth upper tooth, D. Tenth lower tooth. Image courtesy Bigelow and Schroeder (1948) FNWA
Lemon shark denticles A) Apical view of dermal denticle, B) Dermal denticles. Image courtesy Bigelow and Schroeder (1948) FNWA
Denticles
Lemon shark dermal denticles are large and overlapping with 3 to 5 ridges. The median ridge is high, sharp and separated by deep furrows, and the posterior margins are opposite the primary ridges. The basal plates and pedicels are broad.
Size, Age, and Growth
Lemon sharks are one of the larger species of sharks, commonly obtaining lengths between 95-120 inches (240-300 cm). and have a growth rate of .21 inches/year (.54 cm/year). The maximum length that can be reached by this species is between 125-135 inches (318-343 cm). Females and males reach sexual maturity around 6-7 years of age and at 95 inches (240 cm) and 88 inches (224 cm) respectively. Pups are between 24-26 inches (60-65 cm) at birth.
Jacks, including the horse-eye jack (Caranx latus), are prey for the blacknose shark. Photo © George Ryschkewitsch
The lemon shark is commonly found over sandy or muddy bottoms and eats a diet consisting mainly of bony fish and crustaceans. Catfish, mullet, jacks, croakers, porcupine fish, cowfish, guitarfish, stingrays, eagle rays, crabs and crayfish make up the majority of their diet. In addition, this species will eat sea birds and smaller sharks. Lemon sharks will eat until full with the rate of digestion is dependent on the amount of food consumed at a single time.
Reproduction
Development in the lemon shark is viviparous, resulting in the birth of live free swimming pups. Mating occurs in shallow water during the spring months and is followed by a 10-12 month gestation period. Gravid females return to shallow nursery grounds during April to September to give birth. The young remain in these nursery grounds for several years. Litters range from 4-17 and from 24-26 inches at birth. Subsequent to birth, females are thought to take a year off before reproducing again.
Predators
Larger sharks prey upon juvenile lemon sharks, but adult animals have few if any predators.
Larger sharks such as these schooling scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) prey on small lemon sharks. Photo © Jeremy Stafford-Deitsch
Dermophithirius nigrelli is a parasite known to cause skin lesions on lemon sharks. In addition Nemesis pilosus, Paralebion elongatus, Alebion carchariae, Perissopus dentatus, Nesippus orientalis, and Kroyeria spatulata are all copepods that are parasitic on lemon sharks.
Taxonomy
Poey first described the lemon shark in 1868 and named it Hypoprion brevirostris, later renaming it Negaprion brevirostris. The lemon shark has also appeared in literature as Negaprion fronto and Carcharias fronto Jordan and Gilbert, 1882, Carcharias brevirostris Gunther 1870, and Carcharhinus brevirostris Henshall 1891.
Prepared by: Alexia Morgan