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Assessing the feeding patterns of sharks provides insight into ecological interactions. Three coastal sharks are common by-catch in the Gulf of Papua prawn fishery in Papua New Guinea. The diets of Carcharhinus coatesi (n = 122), Rhizoprionodon acutus (n = 83) and Rhizoprionodon taylori (n = 177) were assessed using stomach content analysis. Teleosts, crustaceans and molluscs were the main prey. Percentage frequency of occurrence (%FO) and percentage frequency by number (%N) were computed to describe dietary compositions. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and Morisita Index determined the level of feeding overlap. Rhizoprionodon taylori was a generalist feeder having the broadest diet, R. acutus was the most selective feeder, preying predominantly on teleosts and C. coatesi consumed the greatest proportion of crustaceans that increased with size. The pairwise ANOSIM tests showed significant difference in dietary compositions of R. acutus and R. taylori (P = 0.1%, R = 0.318) and R. acutus and C. coatesi (P = 0.1%, R = 0.589), which indicate potential resource partitioning. Further work should aim to adequately characterise diets, improve prey identification and investigate spatial and temporal resource use patterns. Understanding ecological processes informs ecosystem approaches fisheries management.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are key tools in addressing the global decline of sharks and rays, with "marine parks" and "shark sanctuaries" of various configurations established to conserve shark populations. There is also a rapidly growing body of telemetry research used to assess MPA performance in shark protection. However, assessments of MPA efficacy in shark and ray conservation are compromised by inconsistent terminology, a lack of standardised approaches to assess how MPAs contribute to the overall conservation of sharks and rays, and ambiguity about integrating movement data into assessment processes. This paper presents a conceptual framework that standardises key terms and uses the concept of Portfolio Risk to fully describe how an MPA may contribute to shark and ray conservation. The framework also demonstrates how movement data can be integrated into the process and presents eight key questions that provide guidance for applying the framework. Understanding an MPA's contribution to shark and ray protection requires explicit consideration of the assessment scope, MPA type and purpose, the range of existing and potential threats, the species biology and ecology, and management and operational contexts. Ultimately, MPA contributions to shark and ray conservation differ according to a complex set of human and natural factors and interactions which should be carefully considered in MPA design, implementation and evaluation. Article Impact statement: Standardization of key terms and use of the portfolio risk concept describe how protected areas contribute to shark and ray conservation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Urbanization adversely impacts biodiversity by reducing the quantity and quality of natural habitat areas. Additionally, the quality of natural habitat depends on its bio-physical characteristics (e.g., natural cover, impervious surfaces, urban tree canopy) as well as the functional traits of species inhabiting them (e.g., breeding/foraging habitat requirements). To better plan conservation of regional biodiversity in urbanized landscapes, it is therefore critical to assess the relationship between the landscape and the response of key Functional Trait Groups (FTGs) of species. To identify different FTGs of 116 avian species in the urbanized landscape of the Toronto region (Canada), we conducted a Functional Trait Analysis (FTA) using RLQ-fourth corner analysis. We focused on four species traits (diet, foraging, nesting, and territoriality) to identify the FTGs and their association with natural cover and landscape characteristics (landcover types, patch quality, habitat connectivity). Then, to predict FTG presence in relation to the landscape characteristics, we performed a Habitat Suitability Analysis (HSA). From this analysis, we found 21 avian FTGs with different habitat suitability values that correspond to forested patches and wetlands. The HSA for tree canopy, forest insectivore, and ground-nesting birds (or FTGs) have higher suitability values within forest patches, while aerial insectivores have higher suitability values in older residential neighborhoods indicating the value of the urban tree canopy. This methodological approach shows that by mapping habitat suitability by FTG one can identify strategic conservation areas that target multiple species, shifting efforts from a single species to a community-based functional focus. Our study highlights the conservation value of remnant and/or restored habitat patches in near urban and urban landscapes that help to maximize the persistence of regional avian biodiversity.

Anthropogenic pressures have been increasing on shark and ray populations globally, and their conservation and management can be compromised by lack of information on their diversity and status of species. This study presents a desktop review of the sharks and rays of the Republic of Palau, drawing on citizen science, fisheries data and other scientific literature to document their diversity, economic and cultural values, and pressures affecting their populations. This account of Palau’s sharks and rays includes a preliminary assessment of risks based-on existing risk assessments, and their biological productivity. Records were found documenting 56 sharks and rays in Palau: 31 species are considered here as ‘confirmed and verified’, 10 species as ‘requires verification’, and 11 species listed as ‘plausible’. An additional two species are listed as ‘unlikely’, and two species is ‘unknown’ due to the taxonomy being unclear. The biological productivity analysis showed that the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) had the lowest productivity of Palau’s sharks and rays, while the blue shark (Prionace glauca) showed the highest productivity of species examined. Historically, fishing mortality presented the most significant threat to Palau’s sharks and rays, but recent conservation initiatives have the potential to significantly reduce this threat as large areas are closed to fishing following the full implementation of the Palau National Marine Sanctuary in 2020. Palau’s sharks have a wide range of social and cultural values and are important to tourism. This study presents a new synthesis and overview of available information including citizen science, but also highlights the need for further local taxonomic work and research.

Blue sharks (Prionace glauca) are recognised as one of five key pelagic shark species in the Western Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) due to their frequent incidental catch in tuna and billfish longline fisheries. Given their importance in the region, the aim of this study was to investigate the life history of this species for use in future population assessments in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Eighty-one vertebral samples were examined to provide preliminary age and growth estimates for P. glauca caught by commercial longline vessels operating in the Bismarck and Solomon seas. Ages ranged from 10 to 25 years. A Bayesian approach using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) was used to estimate growth parameters. The von Bertalanffy model provided the best fitting growth model (males: L∞ = 379 cm, L0 = 45.8 cm, k = 0.07 year−1; females: L∞ = 329.2 cm, L0 = 45.8 cm and k = 0.08 year−1; combined sexes: L∞ = 350.8 cm, L0 = 45.8 cm, k = 0.07 year−1). The asymptotic length parameter estimate for the male P. glauca population from PNG was the largest reported. Our results demonstrate that intraspecific variation in life history traits of P. glauca across its entire distribution is likely due to differences in methodology, sample size and interpretation of growth bands rather than regional differences in growth. This study takes an important step towards facilitating management strategies for P. glauca in PNG by producing preliminary growth estimates for the species. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to conduct age validation and refine the life history information for this highly migratory species in PNG.

1. Sawfish (Pristidae) are considered to be among the most threatened families of elasmobranch (sharks and rays). There is a need to gather information on the status of poorly known sawfish populations to assist in global recovery initiatives. 2. This study used interviews with local fishers to investigate the presence of sawfish in southern Papua New Guinea (PNG) and their interactions with and uses and values for small-scale fishers. 3. A range of sawfish size classes are still encountered throughout southern PNG, while juvenile largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis were additionally reported in the freshwater reaches of all rivers surveyed. Reports of large size classes in estuarine and marine environments provide an optimistic outlook that sawfish populations persist throughout southern PNG. 4. Most fishers that catch sawfish retain them for various uses including consumption and for the sale of meat, fins and occasionally rostra. Negative population trends including decreases in catch frequency and/or size classes were reported by 66% of interviewees, with the largest declines being reported in the Kikori River. The increasing technical capacity of small-scale fishers, their preference for gillnetting and the emerging market for teleost swim bladder (a high-value fishery product) present a major ongoing threat to sawfish in southern PNG. Furthermore, the tendency of fishers to kill or remove rostra from entangled sawfish results in high fishing mortality regardless of any use by the fisher. 5. This study indicates that considerable community engagement will be necessary to manifest any legislative actions or increased enforcement on international trade regulations for sawfish in PNG. This is due to traditional land and waterway ownership values throughout PNG and the local perception of sawfish as a traditional food resource rather than an animal of intrinsic biodiversity value as perceived by global conservationists. Future research should consider exploring culturally appropriate conservation initiatives that are likely to achieve engagement and participation from local fishers.

Wildlife tourism uses various stimuli to attract species and facilitate close encounters. Such activities are often referred to as provisioning, however the term is used interchangeably, and sometimes erroneously, with attracting, feeding, luring, and chumming, all of which lack consistent definitions. Here, we review the current use of provisioning-associated terminology in marine bird, teleost (bony fish), marine mammal, marine reptile, ray and shark tourism, within the scientific literature and on tourism operator webpages. We then propose to reclassify provisioning into Feeding, Attracting, and Modifying habitat, providing eight specific terms that reflect: (1) if the stimulus exploits wildlife appetite or search for preferred habitat; (2) the nature of the attractant (consumable or not); (3) the intention of the activity if using consumable attractants (direct, indirect, or incidental feeding) or modified habitat (intentional or repurposed modification); and (4) which species are affected by the activity (target or non-target species). We applied these terms to wildlife tourism around the world to gain better insight into tourism practices across taxa. Clarifying the terminology describing these wildlife interactions ensures they can be accurately described in the scientific literature, which will in turn help resource managers and industry groups to systematically assess these diverse activities.

The ornate eagle ray Aetomylaeus vespertilio (Bleeker, 1852) is a rare and Endangered species of eagle ray, with a patchy distribution across the Indo‐West Pacific region, for which data are scarce. Citizen science‐sourced data from online social media platforms were used to shed light on the distribution and ecology of the ornate eagle ray. A total of 53 reports of A. vespertilio were found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, including four reports of dead specimens. All live reports occurred in shallow reef or lagoon ecosystems. Two individual A. vespertilio specimens were re‐sighted in the same general area following initial identification within 9 and 13 months at Ningaloo Reef and at Lady Elliot Island, Australia, respectively, as confirmed through their dorsal spot patterns. One report was at Richard's Bay in South Africa, the southernmost known location for this species in the Indian Ocean (28°S). Live reports were also reported from the Maldives, the Seychelles, Egypt (Red Sea), Philippines, Palau, and elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Results indicate that citizen‐collected data can shed light on the occurrence and distribution of cryptic species, as well as complement monitoring programmes.

Size limits are a common fisheries management strategy that are applied to many fisheries and species. Most size limits use a minimum legal size to protect adult fish as per the ‘reproduce at least once’ paradigm, where stock collapse becomes impossible if every adult can produce one spawner prior to harvest. These approaches can be useful in fisheries where determining catch is difficult and therefore catch limits can be ineffective and potentially cause stock decline. Shark longline fisheries can be complicated to manage due to a deficiency of species-level reporting. Catch limits are therefore difficult to determine, creating a need for other management measures. Here, three different size-based management approaches were tested using the shark longline fishery from Papua New Guinea as a case study. These approaches included minimum size, maximum size and harvest slot approaches. Age-structured Leslie matrix models revealed a broad range of productivities for 12 commonly caught species, ranging from low population growth rates of 1% per year for pelagic thresher sharks Alopias pelagicus to >33% per year for blue sharks Prionace glauca. Therefore, different harvest strategies were required for each species to be fished sustainably. However, management could be applied by grouping similar and easily distinguishable groups of species together. Synthesis and applications. The most pragmatic harvest strategy for all shark species included in this study was to limit harvest to mature individuals using minimum legal sizes. This provided sufficient resilience for all species to tolerate higher levels of fishing mortality than the Papua New Guinea (PNG) longline fishery could impose. Legal minimum lengths were derived from the largest length-at-maturity within each species group. However, while this produced a sustainable harvest strategy, issues with selectivity, post-release mortality, interactions with other fisheries, economic viability and illegal, underreported and unregulated fishing were challenges to restricting fishing to the correct size classes and overall management efficacy. Therefore, while theoretically viable harvest strategies were outlined, it is apparent that size limits would not ensure that these shark species are fished sustainably. Therefore, the PNG longline fishery cannot operate sustainably if it were to reopen using size limits as its sole management strategy.

Shark abundances are decreasing on many coral reefs, but the ecosystem effects of this loss are poorly understood. Rays are a prevalent mesopredator in tropical coral reef ecosystems that are preyed upon by top predators like sharks. Studies have suggested reduced predator abundances lead to increases in mesopredator abundance (mesopredator release). We examined the relationship between top predator abundances and the abundance and behaviour of 2 small benthic ray genera using baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS) across 6 countries. Where predators were more abundant, 2 genera of small benthic rays were sighted less often, possibly because of lower abundances. Small ray behaviour was also significantly affected by predator abundance. Individuals of focal ray species visited BRUVS significantly fewer times at sites with higher predator abundances. Where predators were less abundant, rays spent significantly more time in the video frame, and were more likely to feed from bait bags. In addition to predator abundance, small ray presence was significantly influenced by reef relief and depth. Neotrygon spp. were more abundant on deeper, lower relief habitats, while Taeniura spp. were more prevalent in reef-associated shallow, high relief habitats. Overall, this study found that predator abundance had a significant effect on small benthic ray abundance and behaviour in the presence of BRUVS. Results demonstrate that changes in both abundance and behaviour associated with predator loss may make the interpretation of phenomenon like mesopredator release more difficult to identify unless behavioural effects are considered.

With the large swings in factor performance since the Global Financial Crisis, factor research and factor timing have garnered a lot of attention. Investors looking to add value on top of meager asset returns are expanding their toolkit to include factor timing. Within fixed income strategies, active managers have explored regime models, economic cycle indicators, and factor research to manage portfolio-level exposures to beta, regions, industries, duration, and credit. In light of these developments, we analyze historical manager returns to assess the impact of static factor exposures, factor tilts, and security selection. We find that most managers overweighted credit consistently and this largely explained the patterns of active returns over time. We also find that although factor timing has not added value for all the funds in aggregate, there are funds with persistent positive and negative contributions from factor tilts. Finally, across all funds, factor exposures, both strategic and tactical, are significant predictors of future active returns, thus emphasizing the importance of factors in fixed income strategies. TOPICS:Factor-based models, style investing, fixed-income portfolio management Key Findings • We decompose historical manager returns into contributions from static factor exposures, factor tilts, and security selection for US fixed income strategies. • The active returns of most funds have been driven by their overweights to credit-related instruments. • Although factor timing has generally detracted from returns, there is persistence in this component, implying that both skilled and unskilled factor timers can be identified. • Factor exposures, both strategic and tactical, drive future active returns.

With increasing prevalence of peanut allergy (PA) globally and the greater risk of potential reactions occurring due to the leading role of nuts in food products, PA has become a significant public health concern over the past decade, affecting up to 5 million of the US adult population. This review details updates and advances in prevalence, diagnosis, and immunotherapies that have occurred over the past year.Therapeutic and diagnostic advances remain at the forefront of research and have continued to push the food allergy (FA) field forward to provide a promising role in the detection and treatment of PA. The FA field has researched significant advances in peanut immunotherapy, biomarker diagnosis, and quality of life (QoL) improvement.Given the burden and consequences for individuals with PA, these advances delivered in clinical practice can significantly improve the QoL of individuals with PA and their caregivers. Ongoing studies will continue to investigate long-term outcome measures of desensitisation and effective management plans tailored to the families' needs.

Simple Summary Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogenous in size, cargo, and mechanism of biogenesis. While the mechanism of formation of small EVs, such as exosomes, has been widely investigated, little is known about the pathobiology of large EVs. We identify here a microRNA that alters cellular vesicologenesis increasing shedding of large EVs and slightly reducing shedding of small EVs. We also demonstrate that this microRNA, miR1227, targets SEC23A to promote this phenotype. Importantly, large EVs are released by cells undergoing a mesenchymal-amoeboid transition that functionally translates into a more metastatic phenotype. Abstract Cancer cells shed a heterogenous mixture of extracellular vesicles (EVs), differing in both size and composition, which likely influence physiological processes in different manners. However, how cells differentially control the shedding of these EV populations is poorly understood. Here, we show that miR-1227, which is enriched in prostate cancer EVs, compared to the cell of origin, but not in EVs derived from prostate benign epithelial cells, induces the shedding of large EVs (such as large oncosomes), while inhibiting the shedding of small EVs (such as exosomes). RNA sequencing from cells stably expressing miR-1227, a modified RISCTRAP assay that stabilizes and purifies mRNA-miR-1227 complexes for RNA sequencing, and in silico target prediction tools were used to identify miR-1227 targets that may mediate this alteration in EV shedding. The COPII vesicle protein SEC23A emerged and was validated by qPCR, WBlot, and luciferase assays as a direct target of miR-1227. The inhibition of SEC23A was sufficient to induce the shedding of large EVs. These results identify a novel mechanism of EV shedding, by which the inhibition of SEC23A by miR-1227 induces a shift in EV shedding, favoring the shedding of large EV over small EV.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although most patients receiving maintenance dialysis exhibit initial seroresponse to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, concerns exist regarding the durability of this antibody response. This study evaluated seroresponse over time. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: This retrospective cohort study included patients on maintenance dialysis, from a midsize national dialysis provider, who received a complete SARS-CoV-2 vaccine series and had at least one antibody titer checked after full vaccination. IgG spike antibodies (anti-spike IgG) titers were assessed monthly with routine laboratory tests after vaccination; the semiquantitative assay reported a range between zero and ≥20 Index. Descriptive analyses compared trends over time by history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccine type. Time-to-event analyses examined the outcome of loss of seroresponse (anti-spike IgG

The objective of this study was to determine the highest flowrate through a client's existing flowline without top-of-line condensation rates exceeding a critical value of 0.25 g/m2.s. Automation of the workflow allowed a large combination of operating conditions to be analysed within a shorter timeframe than a traditional flow assurance analysis process. A multiparameter case matrix was developed to analyse the full range of process and environmental variables. A proprietary multiphase flow assurance software in the cloud was used to develop a reference case model. Then a software script was developed to read in the reference case model's code and produce input files for 1,080 cases. All cases were run within 30 minutes in the cloud. Another software script then extracted key data from the 1,080 output files into a single Excel spreadsheet to enable data visualisation and identification of a simple and effective flow rate criterion to limit condensation rates. Automation of the workflow allowed all combinations of variables to be analysed within a shorter timeframe compared to the traditional flow assurance analysis process, which usually analyses a somewhat limited number of suspected worst-case scenarios selected based on engineering judgement. The bulk data resulting from the automated workflow enabled a single integrity limit criterion to be applied with a high level of confidence, namely the fluid temperature measured at a subsea corrosion probe. This simplified integrity limit allows the operators to easily maximise production for any combination of process and environmental conditions, whilst maintaining confidence that they are not exceeding the critical condensation rate.

Significance To study the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on society, and measures for reducing its spread, researchers need detailed data on the course of the pandemic. Standard public health data streams suffer inconsistent reporting and frequent, unexpected revisions. They also miss other aspects of a population’s behavior that are worthy of consideration. We present an open database of COVID signals in the United States, measured at the county level and updated daily. This includes traditionally reported COVID cases and deaths, and many others: measures of mobility, social distancing, internet search trends, self-reported symptoms, and patterns of COVID-related activity in deidentified medical insurance claims. The database provides all signals in a common, easy-to-use format, empowering both public health research and operational decision-making., The COVID-19 pandemic presented enormous data challenges in the United States. Policy makers, epidemiological modelers, and health researchers all require up-to-date data on the pandemic and relevant public behavior, ideally at fine spatial and temporal resolution. The COVIDcast API is our attempt to fill this need: Operational since April 2020, it provides open access to both traditional public health surveillance signals (cases, deaths, and hospitalizations) and many auxiliary indicators of COVID-19 activity, such as signals extracted from deidentified medical claims data, massive online surveys, cell phone mobility data, and internet search trends. These are available at a fine geographic resolution (mostly at the county level) and are updated daily. The COVIDcast API also tracks all revisions to historical data, allowing modelers to account for the frequent revisions and backfill that are common for many public health data sources. All of the data are available in a common format through the API and accompanying R and Python software packages. This paper describes the data sources and signals, and provides examples demonstrating that the auxiliary signals in the COVIDcast API present information relevant to tracking COVID activity, augmenting traditional public health reporting and empowering research and decision-making.

[Extract] The conservation and management of shark populations have become urgent issues to ensure the future health of our oceans [1]. There are many drivers of the decline of shark populations, with the demand for shark fins being one of the more important [2]. Understanding fin origin can help identify regions for improved management, and hence has been the focus of recent research (e.g. Fields et al. [3], Cardenosa et al. [4]). In a recent Biology Letters article, Van Houtan et al. [5] contributed to this work using data on species composition of shark fins at four markets and species distribution models (SDMs) to predict the probability of fin origin. Their purpose was to address knowledge gaps in source and trade routes of shark products, which currently limit the effective allocation of management resources. While the broad concept behind their paper is novel, we disagree with the results and conclusions owing to flaws in methodology and interpretation.

Previous research has identified similar trophic levels in a wide range of coral reef sharks and large teleost fishes but has been unable to resolve the extent of dietary overlap and resource sharing that lead to interpretation of functional roles and, hence, adequately describe interaction strengths in food webs. We used fatty acid (FA) profiles of muscle and plasma reflecting the diet of several mesopredators to better understand the trophic structure and functioning of Great Barrier Reef ecosystems. Multivariate analysis identified significant dietary overlap between 2 shark species (whitetip reef shark Triaenodon obesus and grey reef shark Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), but whitetip reef sharks occupied a smaller niche area than grey reef sharks. We also found clear niche separation between sharks and teleost fishes (red throat emperor, coral trout, and grass emperor). All mesopredators sampled had high proportions of polyunsaturated FAs linking them to carnivory, but differences among species in trophic biomarker ratios suggest distinctive dietary sources. However, based on a degree of niche overlap of species sharing common diet, reef-dwelling teleost fishes such as coral trout also derive nutrients from pelagic environments. A faster analytical method to determine FA profiles, proven highly useful in tuna, was tested and deemed viable for muscle tissue of tropical teleost fishes and sharks, while questions remain for use of FA extraction of plasma in ecological studies. These results demonstrate that fine-scale inter-specific differences in diet exist between mesopredators in coral reef ecosystems. Our results raise important questions about the ecological influences of these species and energy flow among mesopredators in coral reef ecosystems.

Schools have been called to effectively assess and monitor school climate given its potential to enhance positive student outcomes and mitigate risk behaviors. A variety of instruments of school climate are available, differing in theory, content, and psychometric properties. In order to assist school professionals in selecting an instrument that best suits their school’s needs, this systematic review identifies and describes research-based instruments measuring student perceptions of school climate and evaluates their underlying content and psychometric properties. Instruments are evaluated based on their compatibility to an ecological framework drawing from the Systems View of School Climate. A total of 31 articles describing 26 student self-report instruments were included in this review. Findings provide guidance to school professionals on selecting student self-report instruments that fit the unique landscape of their school and community and underscore the importance of research focused on improving and cross-validating existing instruments.

Palmar skin defects of the hand are common. When wound conditions are favorable, glabrous skin grafting provides ideal resurfacing-simple, predictable, and excellent esthetic outcome. Glabrous skin grafts are however confined to small sizes from limited donor sites. We present a novel technique of harvesting full-thickness skin grafts from the thenar crease and report the outcome of our cases. We provide further insights to adapt the technique to a variety of clinical scenarios-degloving injuries and shaving injuries of the finger including subcomplete pulp skin loss. Graft size is up to 75 mm by 10 mm, with tension-free donor site closure. We further report the operative experience, functional and esthetic outcome. The technique is fast, versatile, and provides large surface areas of good quality glabrous skin in a single-stage procedure. It will sit well in the armamentarium of the hand surgeon.

As the state of non-marine aquatic environments (freshwater and estuarine environments with salinities ≤ 30 ppt) continues to decline globally, there is increasing concern for elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) that use them at critical stages of their life history. Due to a range of impediments including unresolved taxonomy, lack of fisheries data, and poor public perception, our knowledge of elasmobranchs in non-marine environments has lagged behind marine species. Here, we refine previous categorisations of elasmobranchs that occur in non-marine environments by reviewing the timing and duration of freshwater (≤ 5ppt) and/or estuarine (> 5 to ≤ 30 ppt) habitat use throughout each species’ life history. We identified five categories describing elasmobranchs in non-marine environments: (1) freshwater obligates (43 spp.); (2) euryhaline generalists (10 spp.); (3) estuarine generalists (19 spp.); (4) non-marine transients; (5) non-marine vagrants. Criteria for species inclusion is provided for all categories, and species lists are presented for categories 1–3. Euryhaline and estuarine generalists had the highest number of species that are threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (50% and 65%, respectively), and freshwater obligate species have a very high portion of Data Deficient and Not Evaluated species (77%). The refinement of non-marine elasmobranch categories will aid in our understanding of elasmobranchs that occur in non-marine environments, helping facilitate more strategic conservation and management initiatives. Research on the biology of elasmobranchs and their human interactions in non-marine environments are suggested, as this will lead to better availability of information for conservation and management.

Lawrence, MA, Chin, A, and Swanson, BT. Biomechanical comparison of the reverse hyperextension machine and the hyperextension exercise. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2053-2056, 2019-The purpose of this study was to compare activation of the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and biceps femoris muscles, lower back extension moment, and lower extremity range of motion (ROM) between the reverse hyperextension (RHE) and hyperextension (HE) exercises. Motion and muscle activation of the trunk and lower extremity were measured while 20 recreationally active individuals performed 2 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise. Equivalent loads were used for each exercise. Peak, average, and integrated muscle activity, low back moment, and ROM between the trunk and pelvis and the thigh and trunk were calculated. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p = 0.05) revealed significantly greater integrated activity of the biceps femoris and gluteus maximus during the HE exercise. The RHE exercise generated greater peak (+129%), integrated (+63%), and mean (+78%) low back moment as compared to the HE exercise. The RHE resulted in a significantly greater thigh to trunk ROM, 76.6 compared with 64.7. However, the RHE used less lumbar flexion, 20.4 compared with 31.1 for the HE. The RHE movement profile is preferable because it provides greater hip ROM with less angular stress and equivalent erector spinae activity.