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Does more maternal investment mean a larger brain? Evolutionary relationships between reproductive mode and brain size in chondrichthyans
Published on 24 June 2011 Christopher G. Mull, Kara E. Yopak and Nicholas K. Dulvy. ABSTRACT: Chondrichthyans have the most diverse array of reproductive strategies of any vertebrate group, ranging from egg-laying to live-bearing with placental matrotrophy. Matrotrophy is defined as additional maternal provisioning beyond the yolk to the developing neonate; in chondrichthyans, this occurs
A comparison of reproductive parameters of the Bering skate, Bathyraja interrupta, from two Alaskan large marine ecosystems
Published on 24 June 2011. Shaara M. Ainsley, David A. Ebert and Gregor M. Cailliet. ABSTRACT: Estimates of size at maturity are crucial to fisheries stock assessments and may change spatially and temporally. This study directly compares life-history characteristics of a skate species in two large marine ecosystems in a region where there is both
Age, growth and genetic status of the white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) from Kashima-nada, Japan
Published on 24 June 2011. S. Tanaka , T. Kitamura , T. Mochizuki and K. Kofuji. ABSTRACT: The white shark, a top predator inhabiting the world’s oceans, is an endangered species. However, knowledge of its life-history traits and population structure is still limited. We hypothesised that life-history traits would vary among populations because the species’
Distribution, habitat and biology of a rare and threatened eastern Australian endemic shark: Colclough’s shark, Brachaelurus colcloughi Ogilby, 1908
Published on 24 June 2011. Peter M. Kyne , Leonard J. V. Compagno, Joanna Stead , Micha V. Jackson and Michael B. Bennett. ABSTRACT: Despite increasing research effort and conservation focus on sharks, small species of little commercial value are often overlooked, although they make a considerable contribution to global diversity. The poorly known Colclough’s
The importance of research and public opinion to conservation management of sharks and rays: a synthesis
Published in June 2011 C. A. Simpfendorfer, M. R. Heupel, W. T. White and N. K. Dulvy ABSTRACT: Growing concern for the world’s shark and ray populations is driving the need for greater research to inform conservation management. A change in public perception, from one that we need to protect humans from sharks to one
Reef-use and residency patterns of a baited population of silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, in the Red Sea
Published on 24 June 2011. C. Clarke, J. S. E. Lea, R. F. G. Ormond. ABSTRACT: Many shark populations are experiencing critical declines from overfishing, triggering potentially detrimental cascade effects on marine ecosystems. Silky sharks, Carcharhinus falciformis, have experienced some of the most severe declines, yet little information exists on their behavioural ecology to inform
Rediscovery and redescription of the smoothtooth blacktip shark, Carcharhinus leiodon (Carcharhinidae), from Kuwait, with notes on its possible conservation status
Published on 24 June 2011 Alec B. M. Moore, William T. White, Robert D. Ward, Gavin J. P. Naylor, Richard Peirce. ABSTRACT: The smoothtooth blacktip shark, Carcharhinus leiodon, is one of the rarest whaler shark species of the genus Carcharhinus, previously known only from the holotype collected over 100 years ago from the Arabian Sea
Business partner or simple catch? The economic value of the sicklefin lemon shark in French Polynesia
Published on 24 June 2011. E. Clua, N. Buray, P. Legendr, J. Mourier, S. Planes. ABSTRACT: Most arguments invoked so far by the scientific community in favour of shark conservation rely on the ecological importance of sharks, and have little impact on management policies. During a 57-month study, we were able to individually recognise 39
Killing for conservation the need for alternatives to lethal sampling of apex predatory sharks
Published on 22. June 2011 Neil Hammerschlag, James Sulikowski. ABSTRACT: Top oceanic predators, especially large predatory sharks (TOPS), appear to be experiencing varying degrees of population declines. Life history data (e.g. diet, reproductive status, age and growth, mortality) are critical for developing effective conservation strategies for TOPS. Presently, lethal sampling remains the most effective and
Global shark currency: the distribution, frequency, and economic value of shark ecotourism
Published on 01. June 2011 Austin J. Gallagher and Neil Hammerschlag. ABSTRACT: Ecotourism represents a highly popularised activity which has exhibited global growth in recent years. In the present paper, we examine the distribution, frequency, and economic value of shark-based ecotourism operations worldwide. A total of 376 shark ecotour operations across 83 locations and 8
Elasmobranchs of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf ecology, human aspects and research priorities for their improved management
Published on 17. May 2011 Alec B. M. Moore ABSTRACT: Given widespread concern about the status of elasmobranch fishes globally, information on this group in the Persian (Arabian) Gulf is reviewed comprehensively for the first time. The Arabian region may be of overlooked significance to elasmobranch biogeography, and the environmentally unique Gulf has some highly
Characteristics of a manta ray Manta alfredi population off Maui, Hawaii, and implications for management
Published on 16. May 2011 Mark H. Deakos, Jason D. Baker, Lars Bejder ABSTRACT: Late maturity, few offspring and a residential nature are typical characteristics of Manta alfredi that make this species vulnerable to localized anthropogenic threats. Improving its life history information is crucial for successful management. A total of 229 surveys was conducted from
Spatial predictions of blue shark (Prionace glauca) catch rate and catch probability of juveniles in the Southwest Atlantic
Published on 05. May 2011 Carvalho, F. C., Murie, D. J., Hazin, F. H. V., Hazin, H. G., Leite-Mourato, B., and Burgess, G. H. ABSTRACT: Generalized regression analysis and spatial prediction was applied to catch per unit effort (cpue) data for blue shark (Prionace glauca) caught by the Brazilian tuna longline fleet between 1997 and
A new species of Neotropical freshwater stingray of the genus Potamotrygon Garman, 1877 from the Río Madre de Díos, Peru (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae)
Published on 04. May 2011 João Paulo C.B. da Silva, Marcelo R. de Carvalho ABSTRACT: Potamotrygon tatianae sp. nov., is described from Río Madre de Díos, Peru, upper Rio Madeira basin. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by a unique combination of characters, including its dorsal color pattern formed by a relatively slender,
Potamotrygon tigrina, a new species of freshwater stingray from the upper Amazon basin
Published on 21. April 2011 Marcelo R. de Carvalho, Mark H. Sabaj Perez, Nathan R. Lovejoy ABSTRACT: A new species of Neotropical freshwater stingray, family Potamotrygonidae, is described from the Río Nanay in the upper Río Amazonas basin of Peru. Potamotrygon tigrina, n. sp., is easily distinguished from all congeners by its conspicuous dorsal disc