Keywords
citizen science
deep-sea shark
Dalatiidae
Dalatias licha
How to Cite
Abstract
The aim of this study is to document the first confirmed report of the kitefin shark, Dalatias licha, in Montenegrin waters (southern Adriatic Sea). On 5 May 2025, a juvenile specimen was observed near Miločer Beach (Budva) at 10 m depth, with an in situ average temperature of approximately 20 °C, as measured by the diver’s computer. The encounter was recorded on high-resolution video, which allowed for unambiguous identification based on morphological characters. The shark, estimated at less than 50 cm total length, displayed calm swimming behavior, showed no visible injuries, and exhibited characteristics consistent with juvenile individuals. This record represents the first confirmation of the species in Montenegro and the shallowest recorded depth for D. licha.
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