Spatial ecology of a top-order marine predator, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Top-order marine predators play an important role in structuring communities, and understanding their spatial ecology is essential for species conservation and management. My thesis addresses this issue for the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). I used a multi-disciplinary approach to explain the relationship between diet, environment and movement patterns at multiple spatial and temporal scales. I showed that common environmental variables influence movement and habitat use of sharks, and that their trophic role varies across different habitats. My results highlight the plasticity in movement and trophic ecology of tiger sharks, likely as a consequence of generalist behaviour at a population level.