38 results on '"Hueter RE"'
Search Results
2. Unified natural mortality estimation for teleosts and elasmobranchs
- Author
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Dureuil, M, primary, Aeberhard, WH, additional, Burnett, KA, additional, Hueter, RE, additional, Tyminski, JP, additional, and Worm, B, additional
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Length at maturity of two pelagic sharks (Isurus paucus and Carcharhinus longimanus) found off northern Cuba
- Author
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Ruiz-Abierno, A, primary, Márquez-Farías, JF, additional, Trápaga-Roig, M, additional, and Hueter, RE, additional
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. A review of batoid philopatry, with implications for future research and population management
- Author
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Flowers, KI, primary, Ajemian, MJ, additional, Bassos-Hull, K, additional, Feldheim, KA, additional, Hueter, RE, additional, Papastamatiou, YP, additional, and Chapman, DD, additional
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Directed conservation of the world's reef sharks and rays.
- Author
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Goetze JS, Heithaus MR, MacNeil MA, Harvey E, Simpfendorfer CA, Heupel MR, Meekan M, Wilson S, Bond ME, Speed CW, Currey-Randall LM, Fisher R, Sherman CS, Kiszka JJ, Rees MJ, Udyawer V, Flowers KI, Clementi GM, Asher J, Beaufort O, Bernard ATF, Berumen ML, Bierwagen SL, Boslogo T, Brooks EJ, Brown JJ, Buddo D, Cáceres C, Casareto S, Charloo V, Cinner JE, Clua EEG, Cochran JEM, Cook N, D'Alberto BM, de Graaf M, Dornhege-Lazaroff MC, Fanovich L, Farabaugh NF, Fernando D, Ferreira CEL, Fields CYA, Flam AL, Floros C, Fourqurean V, Barcia LG, Garla R, Gastrich K, George L, Graham R, Hagan V, Hardenstine RS, Heck SM, Heithaus P, Henderson AC, Hertler H, Hueter RE, Johnson M, Jupiter SD, Kaimuddin M, Kasana D, Kelley M, Kessel ST, Kiilu B, Kyne F, Langlois T, Lawe J, Lédée EJI, Lindfield S, Maggs JQ, Manjaji-Matsumoto BM, Marshall A, Matich P, McCombs E, McLean D, Meggs L, Moore S, Mukherji S, Murray R, Newman SJ, O'Shea OR, Osuka KE, Papastamatiou YP, Perera N, Peterson BJ, Pina-Amargós F, Ponzo A, Prasetyo A, Quamar LMS, Quinlan JR, Razafindrakoto CF, Rolim FA, Ruiz-Abierno A, Ruiz H, Samoilys MA, Sala E, Sample WR, Schärer-Umpierre M, Schoen SN, Schlaff AM, Smith ANH, Sparks L, Stoffers T, Tanna A, Torres R, Travers MJ, Valentin-Albanese J, Warren JD, Watts AM, Wen CK, Whitman ER, Wirsing AJ, Zarza-González E, and Chapman DD
- Subjects
- Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources methods, Sharks, Skates, Fish, Coral Reefs, Fisheries
- Abstract
Many shark populations are in decline around the world, with severe ecological and economic consequences. Fisheries management and marine protected areas (MPAs) have both been heralded as solutions. However, the effectiveness of MPAs alone is questionable, particularly for globally threatened sharks and rays ('elasmobranchs'), with little known about how fisheries management and MPAs interact to conserve these species. Here we use a dedicated global survey of coral reef elasmobranchs to assess 66 fully protected areas embedded within a range of fisheries management regimes across 36 countries. We show that conservation benefits were primarily for reef-associated sharks, which were twice as abundant in fully protected areas compared with areas open to fishing. Conservation benefits were greatest in large protected areas that incorporate distinct reefs. However, the same benefits were not evident for rays or wide-ranging sharks that are both economically and ecologically important while also threatened with extinction. We show that conservation benefits from fully protected areas are close to doubled when embedded within areas of effective fisheries management, highlighting the importance of a mixed management approach of both effective fisheries management and well-designed fully protected areas to conserve tropical elasmobranch assemblages globally., (© 2024. Crown.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays.
- Author
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Simpfendorfer CA, Heithaus MR, Heupel MR, MacNeil MA, Meekan M, Harvey E, Sherman CS, Currey-Randall LM, Goetze JS, Kiszka JJ, Rees MJ, Speed CW, Udyawer V, Bond ME, Flowers KI, Clementi GM, Valentin-Albanese J, Adam MS, Ali K, Asher J, Aylagas E, Beaufort O, Benjamin C, Bernard ATF, Berumen ML, Bierwagen S, Birrell C, Bonnema E, Bown RMK, Brooks EJ, Brown JJ, Buddo D, Burke PJ, Cáceres C, Cambra M, Cardeñosa D, Carrier JC, Casareto S, Caselle JE, Charloo V, Cinner JE, Claverie T, Clua EEG, Cochran JEM, Cook N, Cramp JE, D'Alberto BM, de Graaf M, Dornhege MC, Espinoza M, Estep A, Fanovich L, Farabaugh NF, Fernando D, Ferreira CEL, Fields CYA, Flam AL, Floros C, Fourqurean V, Gajdzik L, Barcia LG, Garla R, Gastrich K, George L, Giarrizzo T, Graham R, Guttridge TL, Hagan V, Hardenstine RS, Heck SM, Henderson AC, Heithaus P, Hertler H, Padilla MH, Hueter RE, Jabado RW, Joyeux JC, Jaiteh V, Johnson M, Jupiter SD, Kaimuddin M, Kasana D, Kelley M, Kessel ST, Kiilu B, Kirata T, Kuguru B, Kyne F, Langlois T, Lara F, Lawe J, Lédée EJI, Lindfield S, Luna-Acosta A, Maggs JQ, Manjaji-Matsumoto BM, Marshall A, Martin L, Mateos-Molina D, Matich P, McCombs E, McIvor A, McLean D, Meggs L, Moore S, Mukherji S, Murray R, Newman SJ, Nogués J, Obota C, Ochavillo D, O'Shea O, Osuka KE, Papastamatiou YP, Perera N, Peterson B, Pimentel CR, Pina-Amargós F, Pinheiro HT, Ponzo A, Prasetyo A, Quamar LMS, Quinlan JR, Reis-Filho JA, Ruiz H, Ruiz-Abierno A, Sala E, de-León PS, Samoilys MA, Sample WR, Schärer-Umpierre M, Schlaff AM, Schmid K, Schoen SN, Simpson N, Smith ANH, Spaet JLY, Sparks L, Stoffers T, Tanna A, Torres R, Travers MJ, van Zinnicq Bergmann M, Vigliola L, Ward J, Warren JD, Watts AM, Wen CK, Whitman ER, Wirsing AJ, Wothke A, Zarza-González E, and Chapman DD
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Fisheries, Biodiversity, Conservation of Natural Resources, Coral Reefs, Sharks, Skates, Fish, Extinction, Biological
- Abstract
A global survey of coral reefs reveals that overfishing is driving resident shark species toward extinction, causing diversity deficits in reef elasmobranch (shark and ray) assemblages. Our species-level analysis revealed global declines of 60 to 73% for five common resident reef shark species and that individual shark species were not detected at 34 to 47% of surveyed reefs. As reefs become more shark-depleted, rays begin to dominate assemblages. Shark-dominated assemblages persist in wealthy nations with strong governance and in highly protected areas, whereas poverty, weak governance, and a lack of shark management are associated with depauperate assemblages mainly composed of rays. Without action to address these diversity deficits, loss of ecological function and ecosystem services will increasingly affect human communities.
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Diving into the vertical dimension of elasmobranch movement ecology.
- Author
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Andrzejaczek S, Lucas TCD, Goodman MC, Hussey NE, Armstrong AJ, Carlisle A, Coffey DM, Gleiss AC, Huveneers C, Jacoby DMP, Meekan MG, Mourier J, Peel LR, Abrantes K, Afonso AS, Ajemian MJ, Anderson BN, Anderson SD, Araujo G, Armstrong AO, Bach P, Barnett A, Bennett MB, Bezerra NA, Bonfil R, Boustany AM, Bowlby HD, Branco I, Braun CD, Brooks EJ, Brown J, Burke PJ, Butcher P, Castleton M, Chapple TK, Chateau O, Clarke M, Coelho R, Cortes E, Couturier LIE, Cowley PD, Croll DA, Cuevas JM, Curtis TH, Dagorn L, Dale JJ, Daly R, Dewar H, Doherty PD, Domingo A, Dove ADM, Drew M, Dudgeon CL, Duffy CAJ, Elliott RG, Ellis JR, Erdmann MV, Farrugia TJ, Ferreira LC, Ferretti F, Filmalter JD, Finucci B, Fischer C, Fitzpatrick R, Forget F, Forsberg K, Francis MP, Franks BR, Gallagher AJ, Galvan-Magana F, García ML, Gaston TF, Gillanders BM, Gollock MJ, Green JR, Green S, Griffiths CA, Hammerschlag N, Hasan A, Hawkes LA, Hazin F, Heard M, Hearn A, Hedges KJ, Henderson SM, Holdsworth J, Holland KN, Howey LA, Hueter RE, Humphries NE, Hutchinson M, Jaine FRA, Jorgensen SJ, Kanive PE, Labaja J, Lana FO, Lassauce H, Lipscombe RS, Llewellyn F, Macena BCL, Mambrasar R, McAllister JD, McCully Phillips SR, McGregor F, McMillan MN, McNaughton LM, Mendonça SA, Meyer CG, Meyers M, Mohan JA, Montgomery JC, Mucientes G, Musyl MK, Nasby-Lucas N, Natanson LJ, O'Sullivan JB, Oliveira P, Papastamtiou YP, Patterson TA, Pierce SJ, Queiroz N, Radford CA, Richardson AJ, Richardson AJ, Righton D, Rohner CA, Royer MA, Saunders RA, Schaber M, Schallert RJ, Scholl MC, Seitz AC, Semmens JM, Setyawan E, Shea BD, Shidqi RA, Shillinger GL, Shipley ON, Shivji MS, Sianipar AB, Silva JF, Sims DW, Skomal GB, Sousa LL, Southall EJ, Spaet JLY, Stehfest KM, Stevens G, Stewart JD, Sulikowski JA, Syakurachman I, Thorrold SR, Thums M, Tickler D, Tolloti MT, Townsend KA, Travassos P, Tyminski JP, Vaudo JJ, Veras D, Wantiez L, Weber SB, Wells RJD, Weng KC, Wetherbee BM, Williamson JE, Witt MJ, Wright S, Zilliacus K, Block BA, and Curnick DJ
- Abstract
Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Global collision-risk hotspots of marine traffic and the world's largest fish, the whale shark.
- Author
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Womersley FC, Humphries NE, Queiroz N, Vedor M, da Costa I, Furtado M, Tyminski JP, Abrantes K, Araujo G, Bach SS, Barnett A, Berumen ML, Bessudo Lion S, Braun CD, Clingham E, Cochran JEM, de la Parra R, Diamant S, Dove ADM, Dudgeon CL, Erdmann MV, Espinoza E, Fitzpatrick R, Cano JG, Green JR, Guzman HM, Hardenstine R, Hasan A, Hazin FHV, Hearn AR, Hueter RE, Jaidah MY, Labaja J, Ladino F, Macena BCL, Morris JJ Jr, Norman BM, Peñaherrera-Palma C, Pierce SJ, Quintero LM, Ramírez-Macías D, Reynolds SD, Richardson AJ, Robinson DP, Rohner CA, Rowat DRL, Sheaves M, Shivji MS, Sianipar AB, Skomal GB, Soler G, Syakurachman I, Thorrold SR, Webb DH, Wetherbee BM, White TD, Clavelle T, Kroodsma DA, Thums M, Ferreira LC, Meekan MG, Arrowsmith LM, Lester EK, Meyers MM, Peel LR, Sequeira AMM, Eguíluz VM, Duarte CM, and Sims DW
- Subjects
- Animals, Endangered Species, Plankton, Ships, Sharks
- Abstract
Marine traffic is increasing globally yet collisions with endangered megafauna such as whales, sea turtles, and planktivorous sharks go largely undetected or unreported. Collisions leading to mortality can have population-level consequences for endangered species. Hence, identifying simultaneous space use of megafauna and shipping throughout ranges may reveal as-yet-unknown spatial targets requiring conservation. However, global studies tracking megafauna and shipping occurrences are lacking. Here we combine satellite-tracked movements of the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, and vessel activity to show that 92% of sharks’ horizontal space use and nearly 50% of vertical space use overlap with persistent large vessel (>300 gross tons) traffic. Collision-risk estimates correlated with reported whale shark mortality from ship strikes, indicating higher mortality in areas with greatest overlap. Hotspots of potential collision risk were evident in all major oceans, predominantly from overlap with cargo and tanker vessels, and were concentrated in gulf regions, where dense traffic co-occurred with seasonal shark movements. Nearly a third of whale shark hotspots overlapped with the highest collision-risk areas, with the last known locations of tracked sharks coinciding with busier shipping routes more often than expected. Depth-recording tags provided evidence for sinking, likely dead, whale sharks, suggesting substantial “cryptic” lethal ship strikes are possible, which could explain why whale shark population declines continue despite international protection and low fishing-induced mortality. Mitigation measures to reduce ship-strike risk should be considered to conserve this species and other ocean giants that are likely experiencing similar impacts from growing global vessel traffic.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Microbiome structure in large pelagic sharks with distinct feeding ecologies.
- Author
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Pratte ZA, Perry C, Dove ADM, Hoopes LA, Ritchie KB, Hueter RE, Fischer C, Newton AL, and Stewart FJ
- Abstract
Background: Sharks play essential roles in ocean food webs and human culture, but also face population declines worldwide due to human activity. The relationship between sharks and the microbes on and in the shark body is unclear, despite research on other animals showing the microbiome as intertwined with host physiology, immunity, and ecology. Research on shark-microbe interactions faces the significant challenge of sampling the largest and most elusive shark species. We leveraged a unique sampling infrastructure to compare the microbiomes of two apex predators, the white (Carcharodon carcharias) and tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), to those of the filter-feeding whale shark (Rhincodon typus), allowing us to explore the effects of feeding mode on intestinal microbiome diversity and metabolic function, and environmental exposure on the diversity of microbes external to the body (on the skin, gill)., Results: The fecal microbiomes of white and whale sharks were highly similar in taxonomic and gene category composition despite differences in host feeding mode and diet. Fecal microbiomes from these species were also taxon-poor compared to those of many other vertebrates and were more similar to those of predatory teleost fishes and toothed whales than to those of filter-feeding baleen whales. In contrast, microbiomes of external body niches were taxon-rich and significantly influenced by diversity in the water column microbiome., Conclusions: These results suggest complex roles for host identity, diet, and environmental exposure in structuring the shark microbiome and identify a small, but conserved, number of intestinal microbial taxa as potential contributors to shark physiology., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Connecting post-release mortality to the physiological stress response of large coastal sharks in a commercial longline fishery.
- Author
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Whitney NM, Lear KO, Morris JJ, Hueter RE, Carlson JK, and Marshall HM
- Subjects
- Animals, Fisheries, Risk Assessment, Sharks blood, Sharks growth & development, Acidosis physiopathology, Mortality trends, Potassium blood, Sharks physiology, Stress, Physiological
- Abstract
Bycatch mortality is a major factor contributing to shark population declines. Post-release mortality (PRM) is particularly difficult to quantify, limiting the accuracy of stock assessments. We paired blood-stress physiology with animal-borne accelerometers to quantify PRM rates of sharks caught in a commercial bottom longline fishery. Blood was sampled from the same individuals that were tagged, providing direct correlation between stress physiology and animal fate for sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus, N = 130), blacktip (C. limbatus, N = 105), tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier, N = 52), spinner (C. brevipinna, N = 14), and bull sharks (C. leucas, N = 14). PRM rates ranged from 2% and 3% PRM in tiger and sandbar sharks to 42% and 71% PRM in blacktip and spinner sharks, respectively. Decision trees based on blood values predicted mortality with >67% accuracy in blacktip and spinner sharks, and >99% accuracy in sandbar sharks. Ninety percent of PRM occurred within 5 h after release and 59% within 2 h. Blood physiology indicated that PRM was primarily associated with acidosis and increases in plasma potassium levels. Total fishing mortality reached 62% for blacktip and 89% for spinner sharks, which may be under-estimates given that some soak times were shortened to focus on PRM. Our findings suggest that no-take regulations may be beneficial for sandbar, tiger, and bull sharks, but less effective for more susceptible species such as blacktip and spinner sharks., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Elasmobranch microbiomes: emerging patterns and implications for host health and ecology.
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Perry CT, Pratte ZA, Clavere-Graciette A, Ritchie KB, Hueter RE, Newton AL, Fischer GC, Dinsdale EA, Doane MP, Wilkinson KA, Bassos-Hull K, Lyons K, Dove ADM, Hoopes LA, and Stewart FJ
- Abstract
Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) are of broad ecological, economic, and societal value. These globally important fishes are experiencing sharp population declines as a result of human activity in the oceans. Research to understand elasmobranch ecology and conservation is critical and has now begun to explore the role of body-associated microbiomes in shaping elasmobranch health. Here, we review the burgeoning efforts to understand elasmobranch microbiomes, highlighting microbiome variation among gastrointestinal, oral, skin, and blood-associated niches. We identify major bacterial lineages in the microbiome, challenges to the field, key unanswered questions, and avenues for future work. We argue for prioritizing research to determine how microbiomes interact mechanistically with the unique physiology of elasmobranchs, potentially identifying roles in host immunity, disease, nutrition, and waste processing. Understanding elasmobranch-microbiome interactions is critical for predicting how sharks and rays respond to a changing ocean and for managing healthy populations in managed care., (© 2021. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2021
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12. Reply to: Caution over the use of ecological big data for conservation.
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Queiroz N, Humphries NE, Couto A, Vedor M, da Costa I, Sequeira AMM, Mucientes G, Santos AM, Abascal FJ, Abercrombie DL, Abrantes K, Acuña-Marrero D, Afonso AS, Afonso P, Anders D, Araujo G, Arauz R, Bach P, Barnett A, Bernal D, Berumen ML, Lion SB, Bezerra NPA, Blaison AV, Block BA, Bond ME, Bonfil R, Braun CD, Brooks EJ, Brooks A, Brown J, Byrne ME, Campana SE, Carlisle AB, Chapman DD, Chapple TK, Chisholm J, Clarke CR, Clua EG, Cochran JEM, Crochelet EC, Dagorn L, Daly R, Cortés DD, Doyle TK, Drew M, Duffy CAJ, Erikson T, Espinoza E, Ferreira LC, Ferretti F, Filmalter JD, Fischer GC, Fitzpatrick R, Fontes J, Forget F, Fowler M, Francis MP, Gallagher AJ, Gennari E, Goldsworthy SD, Gollock MJ, Green JR, Gustafson JA, Guttridge TL, Guzman HM, Hammerschlag N, Harman L, Hazin FHV, Heard M, Hearn AR, Holdsworth JC, Holmes BJ, Howey LA, Hoyos M, Hueter RE, Hussey NE, Huveneers C, Irion DT, Jacoby DMP, Jewell OJD, Johnson R, Jordan LKB, Joyce W, Keating Daly CA, Ketchum JT, Klimley AP, Kock AA, Koen P, Ladino F, Lana FO, Lea JSE, Llewellyn F, Lyon WS, MacDonnell A, Macena BCL, Marshall H, McAllister JD, Meÿer MA, Morris JJ, Nelson ER, Papastamatiou YP, Peñaherrera-Palma C, Pierce SJ, Poisson F, Quintero LM, Richardson AJ, Rogers PJ, Rohner CA, Rowat DRL, Samoilys M, Semmens JM, Sheaves M, Shillinger G, Shivji M, Singh S, Skomal GB, Smale MJ, Snyders LB, Soler G, Soria M, Stehfest KM, Thorrold SR, Tolotti MT, Towner A, Travassos P, Tyminski JP, Vandeperre F, Vaudo JJ, Watanabe YY, Weber SB, Wetherbee BM, White TD, Williams S, Zárate PM, Harcourt R, Hays GC, Meekan MG, Thums M, Irigoien X, Eguiluz VM, Duarte CM, Sousa LL, Simpson SJ, Southall EJ, and Sims DW
- Subjects
- Conservation of Natural Resources, Big Data, Ecology
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Reply to: Shark mortality cannot be assessed by fishery overlap alone.
- Author
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Queiroz N, Humphries NE, Couto A, Vedor M, da Costa I, Sequeira AMM, Mucientes G, Santos AM, Abascal FJ, Abercrombie DL, Abrantes K, Acuña-Marrero D, Afonso AS, Afonso P, Anders D, Araujo G, Arauz R, Bach P, Barnett A, Bernal D, Berumen ML, Lion SB, Bezerra NPA, Blaison AV, Block BA, Bond ME, Bonfil R, Bradford RW, Braun CD, Brooks EJ, Brooks A, Brown J, Bruce BD, Byrne ME, Campana SE, Carlisle AB, Chapman DD, Chapple TK, Chisholm J, Clarke CR, Clua EG, Cochran JEM, Crochelet EC, Dagorn L, Daly R, Cortés DD, Doyle TK, Drew M, Duffy CAJ, Erikson T, Espinoza E, Ferreira LC, Ferretti F, Filmalter JD, Fischer GC, Fitzpatrick R, Fontes J, Forget F, Fowler M, Francis MP, Gallagher AJ, Gennari E, Goldsworthy SD, Gollock MJ, Green JR, Gustafson JA, Guttridge TL, Guzman HM, Hammerschlag N, Harman L, Hazin FHV, Heard M, Hearn AR, Holdsworth JC, Holmes BJ, Howey LA, Hoyos M, Hueter RE, Hussey NE, Huveneers C, Irion DT, Jacoby DMP, Jewell OJD, Johnson R, Jordan LKB, Joyce W, Keating Daly CA, Ketchum JT, Klimley AP, Kock AA, Koen P, Ladino F, Lana FO, Lea JSE, Llewellyn F, Lyon WS, MacDonnell A, Macena BCL, Marshall H, McAllister JD, Meÿer MA, Morris JJ, Nelson ER, Papastamatiou YP, Peñaherrera-Palma C, Pierce SJ, Poisson F, Quintero LM, Richardson AJ, Rogers PJ, Rohner CA, Rowat DRL, Samoilys M, Semmens JM, Sheaves M, Shillinger G, Shivji M, Singh S, Skomal GB, Smale MJ, Snyders LB, Soler G, Soria M, Stehfest KM, Thorrold SR, Tolotti MT, Towner A, Travassos P, Tyminski JP, Vandeperre F, Vaudo JJ, Watanabe YY, Weber SB, Wetherbee BM, White TD, Williams S, Zárate PM, Harcourt R, Hays GC, Meekan MG, Thums M, Irigoien X, Eguiluz VM, Duarte CM, Sousa LL, Simpson SJ, Southall EJ, and Sims DW
- Subjects
- Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Seafood, Fisheries, Sharks
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. First insights into the vertical habitat use of the whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari revealed by pop-up satellite archival tags.
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Brewster LR, Cahill BV, Burton MN, Dougan C, Herr JS, Norton LI, McGuire SA, Pico M, Urban-Gedamke E, Bassos-Hull K, Tyminski JP, Hueter RE, Wetherbee BM, Shivji M, Burnie N, and Ajemian MJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Atlantic Ocean, Diving, Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Satellite Communications, Temperature, Animal Identification Systems instrumentation, Ecosystem, Remote Sensing Technology, Skates, Fish physiology
- Abstract
The whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari is a tropical to warm-temperate benthopelagic batoid that ranges widely throughout the western Atlantic Ocean. Despite conservation concerns for the species, its vertical habitat use and diving behaviour remain unknown. Patterns and drivers in the depth distribution of A. narinari were investigated at two separate locations, the western North Atlantic (Islands of Bermuda) and the eastern Gulf of Mexico (Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A.). Between 2010 and 2014, seven pop-up satellite archival tags were attached to A. narinari using three methods: a through-tail suture, an external tail-band and through-wing attachment. Retention time ranged from 0 to 180 days, with tags attached via the through-tail method retained longest. Tagged rays spent the majority of time (82.85 ± 12.17% S.D.) within the upper 10 m of the water column and, with one exception, no rays travelled deeper than ~26 m. One Bermuda ray recorded a maximum depth of 50.5 m, suggesting that these animals make excursions off the fore-reef slope of the Bermuda Platform. Individuals occupied deeper depths (7.42 ± 3.99 m S.D.) during the day versus night (4.90 ± 2.89 m S.D.), which may be explained by foraging and/or predator avoidance. Each individual experienced a significant difference in depth and temperature distributions over the diel cycle. There was evidence that mean hourly depth was best described by location and individual variation using a generalized additive mixed model approach. This is the first study to compare depth distributions of A. narinari from different locations and describe the thermal habitat for this species. Our study highlights the importance of region in describing A. narinari depth use, which may be relevant when developing management plans, whilst demonstrating that diel patterns appear to hold across individuals., (© 2020 Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Global spatial risk assessment of sharks under the footprint of fisheries.
- Author
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Queiroz N, Humphries NE, Couto A, Vedor M, da Costa I, Sequeira AMM, Mucientes G, Santos AM, Abascal FJ, Abercrombie DL, Abrantes K, Acuña-Marrero D, Afonso AS, Afonso P, Anders D, Araujo G, Arauz R, Bach P, Barnett A, Bernal D, Berumen ML, Bessudo Lion S, Bezerra NPA, Blaison AV, Block BA, Bond ME, Bonfil R, Bradford RW, Braun CD, Brooks EJ, Brooks A, Brown J, Bruce BD, Byrne ME, Campana SE, Carlisle AB, Chapman DD, Chapple TK, Chisholm J, Clarke CR, Clua EG, Cochran JEM, Crochelet EC, Dagorn L, Daly R, Cortés DD, Doyle TK, Drew M, Duffy CAJ, Erikson T, Espinoza E, Ferreira LC, Ferretti F, Filmalter JD, Fischer GC, Fitzpatrick R, Fontes J, Forget F, Fowler M, Francis MP, Gallagher AJ, Gennari E, Goldsworthy SD, Gollock MJ, Green JR, Gustafson JA, Guttridge TL, Guzman HM, Hammerschlag N, Harman L, Hazin FHV, Heard M, Hearn AR, Holdsworth JC, Holmes BJ, Howey LA, Hoyos M, Hueter RE, Hussey NE, Huveneers C, Irion DT, Jacoby DMP, Jewell OJD, Johnson R, Jordan LKB, Jorgensen SJ, Joyce W, Keating Daly CA, Ketchum JT, Klimley AP, Kock AA, Koen P, Ladino F, Lana FO, Lea JSE, Llewellyn F, Lyon WS, MacDonnell A, Macena BCL, Marshall H, McAllister JD, McAuley R, Meÿer MA, Morris JJ, Nelson ER, Papastamatiou YP, Patterson TA, Peñaherrera-Palma C, Pepperell JG, Pierce SJ, Poisson F, Quintero LM, Richardson AJ, Rogers PJ, Rohner CA, Rowat DRL, Samoilys M, Semmens JM, Sheaves M, Shillinger G, Shivji M, Singh S, Skomal GB, Smale MJ, Snyders LB, Soler G, Soria M, Stehfest KM, Stevens JD, Thorrold SR, Tolotti MT, Towner A, Travassos P, Tyminski JP, Vandeperre F, Vaudo JJ, Watanabe YY, Weber SB, Wetherbee BM, White TD, Williams S, Zárate PM, Harcourt R, Hays GC, Meekan MG, Thums M, Irigoien X, Eguiluz VM, Duarte CM, Sousa LL, Simpson SJ, Southall EJ, and Sims DW
- Subjects
- Animals, Population Density, Risk Assessment, Sharks classification, Ships, Time Factors, Animal Migration, Fisheries statistics & numerical data, Geographic Mapping, Oceans and Seas, Sharks physiology, Spatio-Temporal Analysis
- Abstract
Effective ocean management and the conservation of highly migratory species depend on resolving the overlap between animal movements and distributions, and fishing effort. However, this information is lacking at a global scale. Here we show, using a big-data approach that combines satellite-tracked movements of pelagic sharks and global fishing fleets, that 24% of the mean monthly space used by sharks falls under the footprint of pelagic longline fisheries. Space-use hotspots of commercially valuable sharks and of internationally protected species had the highest overlap with longlines (up to 76% and 64%, respectively), and were also associated with significant increases in fishing effort. We conclude that pelagic sharks have limited spatial refuge from current levels of fishing effort in marine areas beyond national jurisdictions (the high seas). Our results demonstrate an urgent need for conservation and management measures at high-seas hotspots of shark space use, and highlight the potential of simultaneous satellite surveillance of megafauna and fishers as a tool for near-real-time, dynamic management.
- Published
- 2019
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16. Correlations of metabolic rate and body acceleration in three species of coastal sharks under contrasting temperature regimes.
- Author
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Lear KO, Whitney NM, Brewster LR, Morris JJ, Hueter RE, and Gleiss AC
- Subjects
- Accelerometry, Animals, Computer Simulation, Models, Biological, Oxygen Consumption, Respiration, Temperature, Acceleration, Basal Metabolism, Sharks physiology, Swimming
- Abstract
The ability to produce estimates of the metabolic rate of free-ranging animals is fundamental to the study of their ecology. However, measuring the energy expenditure of animals in the field has proved difficult, especially for aquatic taxa. Accelerometry presents a means of translating metabolic rates measured in the laboratory to individuals studied in the field, pending appropriate laboratory calibrations. Such calibrations have only been performed on a few fish species to date, and only one where the effects of temperature were accounted for. Here, we present calibrations between activity, measured as overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), and metabolic rate, measured through respirometry, for nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) and blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). Calibrations were made at a range of volitional swimming speeds and experimental temperatures. Linear mixed models were used to determine a predictive equation for metabolic rate based on measured ODBA values, with the optimal model using ODBA in combination with activity state and temperature to predict metabolic rate in lemon and nurse sharks, and ODBA and temperature to predict metabolic rate in blacktip sharks. This study lays the groundwork for calculating the metabolic rate of these species in the wild using acceleration data., (© 2017. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)
- Published
- 2017
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17. Modulation of shark prey capture kinematics in response to sensory deprivation.
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Gardiner JM, Atema J, Hueter RE, and Motta PJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Biomechanical Phenomena, Electrophysiological Phenomena, Lateral Line System, Smell, Vision, Ocular, Predatory Behavior physiology, Sensory Deprivation, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
The ability of predators to modulate prey capture in response to the size, location, and behavior of prey is critical to successful feeding on a variety of prey types. Modulating in response to changes in sensory information may be critical to successful foraging in a variety of environments. Three shark species with different feeding morphologies and behaviors were filmed using high-speed videography while capturing live prey: the ram-feeding blacktip shark, the ram-biting bonnethead, and the suction-feeding nurse shark. Sharks were examined intact and after sensory information was blocked (olfaction, vision, mechanoreception, and electroreception, alone and in combination), to elucidate the contribution of the senses to the kinematics of prey capture. In response to sensory deprivation, the blacktip shark demonstrated the greatest amount of modulation, followed by the nurse shark. In the absence of olfaction, blacktip sharks open the jaws slowly, suggestive of less motivation. Without lateral line cues, blacktip sharks capture prey from greater horizontal angles using increased ram. When visual cues are absent, blacktip sharks elevate the head earlier and to a greater degree, allowing them to overcome imprecise position of the prey relative to the mouth, and capture prey using decreased ram, while suction remains unchanged. When visual cues are absent, nurse sharks open the mouth wider, extend the labial cartilages further, and increase suction while simultaneously decreasing ram. Unlike some bony fish, neither species switches feeding modalities (i.e. from ram to suction or vice versa). Bonnetheads failed to open the mouth when electrosensory cues were blocked, but otherwise little to no modulation was found in this species. These results suggest that prey capture may be less plastic in elasmobranchs than in bony fishes, possibly due to anatomical differences, and that the ability to modulate feeding kinematics in response to available sensory information varies by species, rather than by feeding modality., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2017
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18. Vertical Movements and Patterns in Diving Behavior of Whale Sharks as Revealed by Pop-Up Satellite Tags in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
- Author
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Tyminski JP, de la Parra-Venegas R, González Cano J, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Gulf of Mexico, Satellite Communications, Behavior, Animal physiology, Diving Reflex physiology, Whales physiology
- Abstract
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a wide-ranging, filter-feeding species typically observed at or near the surface. This shark's sub-surface habits and behaviors have only begun to be revealed in recent years through the use of archival and satellite tagging technology. We attached pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags to 35 whale sharks in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula from 2003-2012 and three tags to whale sharks in the northeastern Gulf off Florida in 2010, to examine these sharks' long-term movement patterns and gain insight into the underlying factors influencing their vertical habitat selection. Archived data were received from 31 tags deployed on sharks of both sexes with total lengths of 5.5-9 m. Nine of these tags were physically recovered facilitating a detailed long-term view into the sharks' vertical movements. Whale sharks feeding inshore on fish eggs off the northeast Yucatan Peninsula demonstrated reverse diel vertical migration, with extended periods of surface swimming beginning at sunrise followed by an abrupt change in the mid-afternoon to regular vertical oscillations, a pattern that continued overnight. When in oceanic waters, sharks spent about 95% of their time within epipelagic depths (<200 m) but regularly undertook very deep ("extreme") dives (>500 m) that largely occurred during daytime or twilight hours (max. depth recorded 1,928 m), had V-shaped depth-time profiles, and comprised more rapid descents (0.68 m sec-1) than ascents (0.50 m sec-1). Nearly half of these extreme dives had descent profiles with brief but conspicuous changes in vertical direction at a mean depth of 475 m. We hypothesize these stutter steps represent foraging events within the deep scattering layer, however, the extreme dives may have additional functions. Overall, our results demonstrate complex and dynamic patterns of habitat utilization for R. typus that appear to be in response to changing biotic and abiotic conditions influencing the distribution and abundance of their prey.
- Published
- 2015
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19. Smells Like Home: The Role of Olfactory Cues in the Homing Behavior of Blacktip Sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus.
- Author
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Gardiner JM, Whitney NM, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Chemotaxis, Cues, Florida, Homing Behavior, Olfactory Perception, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
Animal navigation in the marine environment is believed to be guided by different sensory cues over different spatial scales. Geomagnetic cues are thought to guide long-range navigation, while visual or olfactory cues allow animals to pinpoint precise locations, but the complete behavioral sequence is not yet understood. Terra Ceia Bay is a primary nursery area for blacktip sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, on southwestern Florida's Gulf of Mexico coast. Young-of-the-year animals show strong fidelity to a specific home range in the northeastern end of the bay and rapidly return when displaced. Older juveniles demonstrate annual philopatry for the first few years, migrating as far south as the Florida Keys each fall, then returning to Terra Ceia Bay each spring. To examine the sensory cues used in homing, we captured neonate (<3 weeks old) blacktip sharks from within their home range, fitted them with acoustic tags, and translocated them to sites 8 km away in adjacent Tampa Bay and released them. Intact animals returned to their home range, within 34 h on average, and remained there. With olfaction blocked, fewer animals returned to their home range and they took longer to do so, 130 h on average. However, they did not remain there but instead moved throughout Terra Ceia Bay and in and out of Tampa Bay. Since sharks from both treatments returned at night in tannic and turbid water, vision is likely not playing a major role in navigation by these animals. The animals in this study also returned on incoming or slack tides, suggesting that sharks, like many other fish, may use selective tidal stream transport to conserve energy and aid navigation during migration. Collectively, these results suggest that while other cues, possibly geomagnetic and/or tidal information, might guide sharks over long distances, olfactory cues are required for recognizing their specific home range., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Published
- 2015
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20. Population Structure and Seasonal Migration of the Spotted Eagle Ray, Aetobatus narinari.
- Author
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Sellas AB, Bassos-Hull K, Pérez-Jiménez JC, Angulo-Valdés JA, Bernal MA, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Caribbean Region, DNA, Mitochondrial genetics, Female, Gene Flow, Gulf of Mexico, Male, Microsatellite Repeats, Models, Genetic, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Animal Migration, Genetic Variation, Genetics, Population, Skates, Fish genetics
- Abstract
Few studies have reported on the fine-scale population genetics of batoid species in the Atlantic basin. Here, we investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari, sampled in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the Gulf of Mexico and in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Samples were collected from 286 individuals sampled across 3 geographic localities. Estimates of divergence based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci reveal weak but significant genetic structure among A. narinari populations in this region. Analysis of molecular variance estimates based on both marker types indicate significant differentiation between Florida and Mexico populations, while comparisons with Cuba suggest high levels of gene flow with rays from both Mexico and Florida. Conflicting results were found from the different marker types when sexes were analyzed separately underscoring the importance of applying multiple marker types when making inferences about population structure and sex-biased dispersal. Results from Bayesian clustering analyses suggest rays may be migrating south out of the Gulf of Mexico and into the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Given the impacts of fisheries on this species, coupled with the lack of population genetic data available, these findings offer valuable information to aid with conservation management strategies., (© The American Genetic Association 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Published
- 2015
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21. Constructional morphology within the head of hammerhead sharks (sphyrnidae).
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Mara KR, Motta PJ, Martin AP, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Head anatomy & histology, Phylogeny, Sharks anatomy & histology
- Abstract
The study of functional trade-offs is important if a structure, such as the cranium, serves multiple biological roles, and is, therefore, shaped by multiple selective pressures. The sphyrnid cephalofoil presents an excellent model for investigating potential trade-offs among sensory, neural, and feeding structures. In this study, hammerhead shark species were chosen to represent differences in head form through phylogeny. A combination of surface-based geometric morphometrics, computed tomography (CT) volumetric analysis, and phylogenetic analyses were utilized to investigate potential trade-offs within the head. Hammerhead sharks display a diversity of cranial morphologies where the position of the eyes and nares vary among species, with only minor changes in shape, position, and volume of the feeding apparatus through phylogeny. The basal winghead shark, Eusphyra blochii, has small anteriorly positioned eyes. Through phylogeny, the relative size and position of the eyes change, such that derived species have larger, more medially positioned eyes. The lateral position of the external nares is highly variable, showing no phylogenetic trend. Mouth size and position are conserved, remaining relatively unchanged. Volumetric CT analyses reveal no trade-offs between the feeding apparatus and the remaining cranial structures. The few trade-offs were isolated to the nasal capsule volume's inverse correlation with braincase, chondrocranial, and total cephalofoil volume. Eye volume also decreased as cephalofoil width increased. These data indicate that despite considerable changes in head shape, much of the head is morphologically conserved through sphyrnid phylogeny, particularly the jaw cartilages and their associated feeding muscles, with shape change and morphological trade-offs being primarily confined to the lateral wings of the cephalofoil and their associated sensory structures., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
- Published
- 2015
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22. There and back again: a review of residency and return migrations in sharks, with implications for population structure and management.
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Chapman DD, Feldheim KA, Papastamatiou YP, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Population Density, Sharks genetics, Sharks growth & development, Species Specificity, Animal Migration physiology, Ecosystem, Homing Behavior physiology, Reproduction physiology, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
The overexploitation of sharks has become a global environmental issue in need of a comprehensive and multifaceted management response. Tracking studies are beginning to elucidate how shark movements shape the internal dynamics and structure of populations, which determine the most appropriate scale of these management efforts. Tracked sharks frequently either remain in a restricted geographic area for an extended period of time (residency) or return to a previously resided-in area after making long-distance movements (site fidelity). Genetic studies have shown that some individuals of certain species preferentially return to their exact birthplaces (natal philopatry) or birth regions (regional philopatry) for either parturition or mating, even though they make long-distance movements that would allow them to breed elsewhere. More than 80 peer-reviewed articles, constituting the majority of published shark tracking and population genetic studies, provide evidence of at least one of these behaviors in a combined 31 shark species from six of the eight extant orders. Residency, site fidelity, and philopatry can alone or in combination structure many coastal shark populations on finer geographic scales than expected based on their potential for dispersal. This information should therefore be used to scale and inform assessment, management, and conservation activities intended to restore depleted shark populations.
- Published
- 2015
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23. Movable shark scales act as a passive dynamic micro-roughness to control flow separation.
- Author
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Lang AW, Bradshaw MT, Smith JA, Wheelus JN, Motta PJ, Habegger ML, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Hardness physiology, Materials Testing, Motion, Surface Properties, Animal Fins physiology, Rheology methods, Sharks physiology, Skin Physiological Phenomena, Swimming physiology
- Abstract
Shark scales on fast-swimming sharks have been shown to be movable to angles in excess of 50°, and we hypothesize that this characteristic gives this shark skin a preferred flow direction. During the onset of separation, flow reversal is initiated close to the surface. However, the movable scales would be actuated by the reversed flow thereby causing a greater resistance to any further flow reversal and this mechanism would disrupt the process leading to eventual flow separation. Here we report for the first time experimental evidence of the separation control capability of real shark skin through water tunnel testing. Using skin samples from a shortfin mako Isurus oxyrinchus, we tested a pectoral fin and flank skin attached to a NACA 4412 hydrofoil and separation control was observed in the presence of movable shark scales under certain conditions in both cases. We hypothesize that the scales provide a passive, flow-actuated mechanism acting as a dynamic micro-roughness to control flow separation.
- Published
- 2014
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24. Multisensory integration and behavioral plasticity in sharks from different ecological niches.
- Author
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Gardiner JM, Atema J, Hueter RE, and Motta PJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Adaptation, Physiological, Ecosystem, Predatory Behavior physiology, Sensation physiology, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
The underwater sensory world and the sensory systems of aquatic animals have become better understood in recent decades, but typically have been studied one sense at a time. A comprehensive analysis of multisensory interactions during complex behavioral tasks has remained a subject of discussion without experimental evidence. We set out to generate a general model of multisensory information extraction by aquatic animals. For our model we chose to analyze the hierarchical, integrative, and sometimes alternate use of various sensory systems during the feeding sequence in three species of sharks that differ in sensory anatomy and behavioral ecology. By blocking senses in different combinations, we show that when some of their normal sensory cues were unavailable, sharks were often still capable of successfully detecting, tracking and capturing prey by switching to alternate sensory modalities. While there were significant species differences, odor was generally the first signal detected, leading to upstream swimming and wake tracking. Closer to the prey, as more sensory cues became available, the preferred sensory modalities varied among species, with vision, hydrodynamic imaging, electroreception, and touch being important for orienting to, striking at, and capturing the prey. Experimental deprivation of senses showed how sharks exploit the many signals that comprise their sensory world, each sense coming into play as they provide more accurate information during the behavioral sequence of hunting. The results may be applicable to aquatic hunting in general and, with appropriate modification, to other types of animal behavior.
- Published
- 2014
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25. A physiological analysis of color vision in batoid elasmobranchs.
- Author
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Bedore CN, Loew ER, Frank TM, Hueter RE, McComb DM, and Kajiura SM
- Subjects
- Animals, Ecology, Electroretinography, Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells physiology, Retinal Pigments physiology, Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells physiology, Skin Pigmentation, Species Specificity, Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet Rays, Color Vision physiology, Skates, Fish physiology
- Abstract
The potential for color vision in elasmobranchs has been studied in detail; however, a high degree of variation exists among the group. Evidence for ultraviolet (UV) vision is lacking, despite the presence of UV vision in every other vertebrate class. An integrative physiological approach was used to investigate color and ultraviolet vision in cownose rays and yellow stingrays, two batoids that inhabit different spectral environments. Both species had peaks in UV, short, medium, and long wavelength spectral regions in dark-, light-, and chromatic-adapted electroretinograms. Although no UV cones were found with microspectrophotometric analysis, both rays had multiple cone visual pigments with λ max at 470 and 551 nm in cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) and 475, 533, and 562 nm in yellow stingrays (Urobatis jamaicensis). The same analysis demonstrated that both species had rod λ max at 500 and 499 nm, respectively. The lens and cornea of cownose rays maximally transmitted wavelengths greater than 350 nm and greater than 376 nm in yellow stingrays. These results support the potential for color vision in these species and future investigations should reveal the extent to which color discrimination is significant in a behavioral context.
- Published
- 2013
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26. Horizontal movements, migration patterns, and population structure of whale sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Caribbean sea.
- Author
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Hueter RE, Tyminski JP, and de la Parra R
- Subjects
- Animals, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Region, Feeding Behavior physiology, Female, Florida, Geography, Gulf of Mexico, Male, Mexico, Oceans and Seas, Population Density, Population Dynamics, Sex Factors, Time Factors, Animal Migration physiology, Movement physiology, Seasons, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, aggregate by the hundreds in a summer feeding area off the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean Sea. The aggregation remains in the nutrient-rich waters off Isla Holbox, Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo for several months in the summer and then dissipates between August and October. Little has been known about where these sharks come from or migrate to after they disperse. From 2003-2012, we used conventional visual tags, photo-identification, and satellite tags to characterize the basic population structure and large-scale horizontal movements of whale sharks that come to this feeding area off Mexico. The aggregation comprised sharks ranging 2.5-10.0 m in total length and included juveniles, subadults, and adults of both sexes, with a male-biased sex ratio (72%). Individual sharks remained in the area for an estimated mean duration of 24-33 days with maximum residency up to about 6 months as determined by photo-identification. After leaving the feeding area the sharks showed horizontal movements in multiple directions throughout the Gulf of Mexico basin, the northwestern Caribbean Sea, and the Straits of Florida. Returns of individual sharks to the Quintana Roo feeding area in subsequent years were common, with some animals returning for six consecutive years. One female shark with an estimated total length of 7.5 m moved at least 7,213 km in 150 days, traveling through the northern Caribbean Sea and across the equator to the South Atlantic Ocean where her satellite tag popped up near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We hypothesize this journey to the open waters of the Mid-Atlantic was for reproductive purposes but alternative explanations are considered. The broad movements of whale sharks across multiple political boundaries corroborates genetics data supporting gene flow between geographically distinct areas and underscores the need for management and conservation strategies for this species on a global scale.
- Published
- 2013
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27. Feeding anatomy, filter-feeding rate, and diet of whale sharks Rhincodon typus during surface ram filter feeding off the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.
- Author
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Motta PJ, Maslanka M, Hueter RE, Davis RL, de la Parra R, Mulvany SL, Habegger ML, Strother JA, Mara KR, Gardiner JM, Tyminski JP, and Zeigler LD
- Subjects
- Animals, Gadus morhua, Mexico, Plankton, Swimming, Diet, Feeding Behavior physiology, Pharynx anatomy & histology, Sharks anatomy & histology, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
The feeding anatomy, behavior and diet of the whale shark Rhincodon typus were studied off Cabo Catoche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The filtering apparatus is composed of 20 unique filtering pads that completely occlude the pharyngeal cavity. A reticulated mesh lies on the proximal surface of the pads, with openings averaging 1.2mm in diameter. Superficial to this, a series of primary and secondary cartilaginous vanes support the pads and direct the water across the primary gill filaments. During surface ram filter feeding, sharks swam at an average velocity of 1.1m/s with 85% of the open mouth below the water's surface. Sharks on average spent approximately 7.5h/day feeding at the surface on dense plankton dominated by sergestids, calanoid copepods, chaetognaths and fish larvae. Based on calculated flow speed and underwater mouth area, it was estimated that a whale shark of 443 cm total length (TL) filters 326 m(3)/h, and a 622 cm TL shark 614 m(3)/h. With an average plankton biomass of 4.5 g/m(3) at the feeding site, the two sizes of sharks on average would ingest 1467 and 2763 g of plankton per hour, and their daily ration would be approximately 14,931 and 28,121 kJ, respectively. These values are consistent with independently derived feeding rations of captive, growing whale sharks in an aquarium. A feeding mechanism utilizing cross-flow filtration of plankton is described, allowing the sharks to ingest plankton that is smaller than the mesh while reducing clogging of the filtering apparatus., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2010
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28. Temporal resolution and spectral sensitivity of the visual system of three coastal shark species from different light environments.
- Author
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McComb DM, Frank TM, Hueter RE, and Kajiura SM
- Subjects
- Animals, Color Perception physiology, Color Vision physiology, Dark Adaptation physiology, Electroretinography veterinary, Environment, Light, Reaction Time physiology, Sensory Thresholds physiology, Species Specificity, Time Factors, Sharks physiology, Visual Perception physiology
- Abstract
Visual temporal resolution and scotopic spectral sensitivity of three coastal shark species (bonnethead Sphyrna tiburo, scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini, and blacknose shark Carcharhinus acronotus) were investigated by electroretinogram. Temporal resolution was quantified under photopic and scotopic conditions using response waveform dynamics and maximum critical flicker-fusion frequency (CFF). Photopic CFF(max) was significantly higher than scotopic CFF(max) in all species. The bonnethead had the shortest photoreceptor response latency time (23.5 ms) and the highest CFF(max) (31 Hz), suggesting that its eyes are adapted for a bright photic environment. In contrast, the blacknose had the longest response latency time (34.8 ms) and lowest CFF(max) (16 Hz), indicating its eyes are adapted for a dimmer environment or nocturnal lifestyle. Scotopic spectral sensitivity revealed maximum peaks (480 nm) in the bonnethead and blacknose sharks that correlated with environmental spectra measured during twilight, which is a biologically relevant period of heightened predation.
- Published
- 2010
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29. Functional morphology of the feeding apparatus, feeding constraints, and suction performance in the nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum.
- Author
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Motta PJ, Hueter RE, Tricas TC, Summers AP, Huber DR, Lowry D, Mara KR, Matott MP, Whitenack LB, and Wintzer AP
- Subjects
- Animals, Electromyography, Female, Jaw anatomy & histology, Jaw physiology, Male, Mouth physiology, Muscle, Skeletal physiology, Predatory Behavior, Sharks physiology, Skull physiology, Sucking Behavior, Feeding Behavior, Head anatomy & histology, Mouth anatomy & histology, Muscle, Skeletal anatomy & histology, Sharks anatomy & histology, Skull anatomy & histology
- Abstract
The nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, is an obligate suction feeder that preys on benthic invertebrates and fish. Its cranial morphology exhibits a suite of structural and functional modifications that facilitate this mode of prey capture. During suction-feeding, subambient pressure is generated by the ventral expansion of the hyoid apparatus and the floor of its buccopharyngeal cavity. As in suction-feeding bony fishes, the nurse shark exhibits expansive, compressive, and recovery kinematic phases that produce posterior-directed water flow through the buccopharyngeal cavity. However, there is generally neither a preparatory phase nor cranial elevation. Suction is generated by the rapid depression of the buccopharyngeal floor by the coracoarcualis, coracohyoideus, and coracobranchiales muscles. Because the hyoid arch of G. cirratum is loosely connected to the mandible, contraction of the rectus cervicis muscle group can greatly depress the floor of the buccopharyngeal cavity below the depressed mandible, resulting in large volumetric expansion. Suction pressures in the nurse shark vary greatly, but include the greatest subambient pressures reported for an aquatic-feeding vertebrate. Maximum suction pressure does not appear to be related to shark size, but is correlated with the rate of buccopharyngeal expansion. As in suction-feeding bony fishes, suction in the nurse shark is only effective within approximately 3 cm in front of the mouth. The foraging behavior of this shark is most likely constrained to ambushing or stalking due to the exponential decay of effective suction in front of the mouth. Prey capture may be facilitated by foraging within reef confines and close to the substrate, which can enhance the effective suction distance, or by foraging at night when it can more closely approach prey.
- Published
- 2008
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30. Population genetic structure of Earth's largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus).
- Author
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Castro AL, Stewart BS, Wilson SG, Hueter RE, Meekan MG, Motta PJ, Bowen BW, and Karl SA
- Subjects
- Animals, Genetic Variation genetics, Haplotypes, Marine Biology, Nucleotides genetics, Sharks classification, Time Factors, Genetics, Population, Sharks genetics
- Abstract
Large pelagic vertebrates pose special conservation challenges because their movements generally exceed the boundaries of any single jurisdiction. To assess the population structure of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), we sequenced complete mitochondrial DNA control regions from individuals collected across a global distribution. We observed 51 single site polymorphisms and 8 regions with indels comprising 44 haplotypes in 70 individuals, with high haplotype (h = 0.974 +/- 0.008) and nucleotide diversity (pi = 0.011 +/- 0.006). The control region has the largest length variation yet reported for an elasmobranch (1143-1332 bp). Phylogenetic analyses reveal no geographical clustering of lineages and the most common haplotype was distributed globally. The absence of population structure across the Indian and Pacific basins indicates that oceanic expanses and land barriers in Southeast Asia are not impediments to whale shark dispersal. We did, however, find significant haplotype frequency differences (AMOVA, Phi(ST) = 0.107, P < 0.001) principally between the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific populations. In contrast to other recent surveys of globally distributed sharks, we find much less population subdivision and no evidence for cryptic evolutionary partitions. Discovery of the mating and pupping areas of whale sharks is key to further population genetic studies. The global pattern of shared haplotypes in whale sharks provides a compelling argument for development of broad international approaches for management and conservation of Earth's largest fish.
- Published
- 2007
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31. Prey capture behavior and kinematics of the Atlantic cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus.
- Author
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Sasko DE, Dean MN, Motta PJ, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Analysis of Variance, Animals, Biomechanical Phenomena, Florida, Phylogeny, Principal Component Analysis, Feeding Behavior physiology, Jaw physiology, Predatory Behavior physiology, Skates, Fish physiology
- Abstract
The structurally reinforced jaws of the cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus testify to this species' durophagous diet of mollusks, but seem ill-suited to the behaviors necessary for excavating such prey. This study explores this discordance by investigating the prey excavation and capture kinematics of R. bonasus. Based on the basal suction feeding mechanism in this group of fishes, we hypothesized a hydraulic method of excavation. As expected, prey capture kinematics of R. bonasus show marked differences relative to other elasmobranchs, relating to prey excavation and use of the cephalic lobes (modified anterior pectoral fin extensions unique to derived myliobatiform rays). Prey are excavated by repeated opening and closing of the jaws to fluidize surrounding sand. The food item is then enclosed laterally by the depressed cephalic lobes, which transport it toward the mouth for ingestion by inertial suction. Unlike in most sharks, upper jaw protrusion and mandibular depression are simultaneous. During food capture, the ray's spiracle, mouth, and gill slit movements are timed such that water enters only the mouth (e.g., the spiracle closes prior to prey capture and reopens immediately following). Indigestible parts are then hydraulically winnowed from edible prey portions, by mouth movements similar to those used in excavation, and ejected through the mouth. The unique sensory/manipulatory capabilities of the cephalic lobes, as well as the cownose ray's hydraulic excavation/winnowing behaviors and suction feeding, make this species an effective benthic predator, despite its epibenthic lifestyle.
- Published
- 2006
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32. Analysis of the bite force and mechanical design of the feeding mechanism of the durophagous horn shark Heterodontus francisci.
- Author
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Huber DR, Eason TG, Hueter RE, and Motta PJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Biomechanical Phenomena, Electric Stimulation, Bite Force, Feeding Behavior physiology, Jaw anatomy & histology, Jaw physiology, Mastication physiology, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
Three-dimensional static equilibrium analysis of the forces generated by the jaw musculature of the horn shark Heterodontus francisci was used to theoretically estimate the maximum force distributions and loadings on its jaws and suspensorium during biting. Theoretical maximum bite force was then compared with bite forces measured (1) voluntarily in situ, (2) in restrained animals and (3) during electrical stimulation of the jaw adductor musculature of anesthetized sharks. Maximum theoretical bite force ranged from 128 N at the anteriormost cuspidate teeth to 338 N at the posteriormost molariform teeth. The hyomandibula, which connects the posterior margin of the jaws to the base of the chondrocranium, is loaded in tension during biting. Conversely, the ethmoidal articulation between the palatal region of the upper jaw and the chondrocranium is loaded in compression, even during upper jaw protrusion, because H. francisci's upper jaw does not disarticulate from the chondrocranium during prey capture. Maximum in situ bite force averaged 95 N for free-swimming H. francisci, with a maximum of 133 N. Time to maximum force averaged 322 ms and was significantly longer than time away from maximum force (212 ms). Bite force measurements from restrained individuals (187 N) were significantly greater than those from free-swimming individuals (95 N) but were equivalent to those from both theoretical (128 N) and electrically stimulated measurements (132 N). The mean mass-specific bite of H. francisci was greater than that of many other vertebrates and second highest of the cartilaginous fishes that have been studied. Measuring bite force on restrained sharks appears to be the best indicator of maximum bite force. The large bite forces and robust molariform dentition of H. francisci correspond to its consumption of hard prey.
- Published
- 2005
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33. Microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses of the genetic structure of blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) nurseries in the northwestern Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.
- Author
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Keeney DB, Heupel MR, Hueter RE, and Heist EJ
- Subjects
- Animals, Atlantic Ocean, Base Sequence, Cluster Analysis, DNA Primers, DNA, Mitochondrial genetics, Gene Frequency, Geography, Haplotypes genetics, Microsatellite Repeats genetics, Molecular Sequence Data, Population Dynamics, Sequence Alignment, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Demography, Genetic Variation, Genetics, Population, Sharks genetics
- Abstract
Abstract We investigated the genetic structure of blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) continental nurseries in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences and eight nuclear microsatellite loci scored in neonate and young-of-the-year sharks. Significant structure was detected with both markers among nine nurseries (mitochondrial PhiST = 0.350, P < 0.001; nuclear PhiST = 0.007, P < 0.001) and sharks from the northwestern Atlantic, eastern Gulf of Mexico, western Gulf of Mexico, northern Yucatan, and Belize possessed significantly different mitochondrial DNA haplotype frequencies. Microsatellite differentiation was limited to comparisons involving northern Yucatan and Belize sharks with nuclear genetic homogeneity throughout the eastern Gulf of Mexico, western Gulf of Mexico, and northwestern Atlantic. Differences in the magnitude of maternal vs. biparental genetic differentiation support female philopatry to northwestern Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea natal nursery regions with higher levels of male-mediated gene flow. Philopatry has produced multiple reproductive stocks of this commercially important shark species throughout the range of this study.
- Published
- 2005
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Refractive state and accommodation in the eyes of free-swimming versus restrained juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris).
- Author
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Hueter RE, Murphy CJ, Howland M, Sivak JG, Paul-Murphy JR, and Howland HC
- Subjects
- Animals, Female, Hyperopia etiology, Hyperopia physiopathology, Male, Microscopy, Video, Restraint, Physical adverse effects, Time Factors, Accommodation, Ocular physiology, Refraction, Ocular, Sharks physiology
- Abstract
Optical measurements of the refractive state of the eyes of various shark species typically have depicted sharks as hyperopic (far-sighted) with little evidence of accommodation (i.e. the ability to change focus for visualizing objects at different distances from the eye). In this study, we used infrared video retinoscopy to measure the refractive state in juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris). This technique allows dynamic measurement of refractive state in free-swimming animals as they pass by an aquarium window. We found that unrestrained lemon sharks are focused emmetropically relative to a 1-m distant photorefractor for the lateral visual field. However, when restrained either right side up or upside down (the latter inducing tonic immobility), the sharks become increasingly hyperopic, an artifact also reported in some other vertebrates. In addition, unrestrained lemon sharks display small amplitude accommodative excursions. Thus, refractive state measurements on restrained sharks in general may not reflect the natural, resting state of the shark eye, but rather, an induced hyperopia and lack of accommodative function. Such an artifact may be present in other vertebrate species, underscoring the need to obtain measurements of refractive state in unrestrained animals.
- Published
- 2001
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Serum steroid hormones and the reproductive cycle of the female bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo.
- Author
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Manire CA, Rasmussen LE, Hess DL, and Hueter RE
- Subjects
- Animals, Dihydrotestosterone blood, Estradiol blood, Female, Progesterone blood, Sexual Behavior, Animal physiology, Testosterone blood, Reproduction physiology, Sharks physiology, Steroids blood
- Abstract
The bonnethead shark Sphyrna tiburo reproduces by placental viviparity with one of the shortest gestation periods (4.5-5 months) known in sharks. In southwest Florida, mating in this species occurs in November, sperm is stored until ovulation/fertilization the following March-April, and parturition occurs in August. Serum concentrations of four steroid hormones (17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone) were determined by radioimmunoassay over a complete reproductive cycle in mature females from a wild population. Serum 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone levels are high during mating and preovulatory stages. Preovulatory concentrations of testosterone are greater in female S. tiburo than in any other female elasmobranch previously studied. Progesterone levels are significantly elevated during preovulatory, ovulatory, and postovulatory stages, while serum dihydrotestosterone levels increase significantly during the preovulatory stage. Our study is the first to demonstrate a sustained rise in progesterone during gestation in a placental shark and suggests a regulatory role for this hormone during the period prior to implantation of the embryos in the uterus.
- Published
- 1995
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. An electromyographic analysis of the biting mechanism of the lemon shark, Negaprion Brevirostris: Functional and evolutionary implications.
- Author
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Motta PJ, Hueter RE, and Tricas TC
- Abstract
The kinetics of the head and function of select jaw muscles were studied during biting behavior in the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris. High speed cinematography and electromyography of seven cranial muscles were recorded during bites elicited by a probe to the oral cavity. In weak bites mandible depression was followed by mandible elevation and jaw closure without cranial elevation. In strong bites cranial elevation always preceded lower jaw depression, lower jaw elevation, and cranial depression. The average duration of the strong bites was rapid (176 msec), considering the size of the animal relative to other fishes. Different electromyographic patterns distinguished the two forms of bite, primarily in activity of the epaxial muscles, which effect cranial elevation. A composite reconstruction of the activity of seven cranial muscles during biting revealed that epaxial muscle activity and consequently cranial elevation preceded all other muscle activity. Mandible depression was primarily effected by contraction of the common coracoarcual and coracomandibularis, with assistance by the coracohyoideus. Simultaneous activity of the levator hyomandibulae is believed to increase the width of the orobranchial chamber. The adductor mandibulae dorsal was the primary jaw adductor assisted by the adductor mandibulae ventral. This biomechanically conservative mechanism for jaw opening in aquatic vertebrates is conserved, with the exception of the coracomandibularis, which is homologous to prehyoid muscles of salamanders., (Copyright © 1991 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)
- Published
- 1991
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. The presence of a porphyropsin-based visual pigment in the juvenile lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris).
- Author
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Cohen JL, Hueter RE, and Organisciak DT
- Subjects
- Aging metabolism, Animals, Rhodopsin analysis, Spectrophotometry, Retina chemistry, Retinal Pigments analysis, Sharks metabolism
- Abstract
The visual pigment from the juvenile lemon shark has been extracted and is a homogeneous vitamin A2-based porphyropsin with maximum absorption at 522 nm. This is the first report of a porphyropsin visual pigment extracted from the retina of an elasmobranch. In contrast, the visual pigment from the adult lemon shark yields a homogeneous vitamin A1-based rhodopsin with maximum absorption at 501 nm. We conclude that the porphyropsin of the juvenile lemon shark changes over to a rhodopsin as the animal matures.
- Published
- 1990
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Retinoscopy of aquatic eyes.
- Author
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Hueter RE and Gruber SH
- Subjects
- Air, Animals, Refractive Errors physiopathology, Water, Models, Biological, Ocular Physiological Phenomena, Refraction, Ocular, Sharks physiology
- Published
- 1980
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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