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1. Directed conservation of the world’s reef sharks and rays

Author

Goetze, Jordan S., Heithaus, Michael R., MacNeil, M. Aaron, Harvey, Euan, Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heupel, Michelle R., Meekan, Mark, Wilson, Shaun, Bond, Mark E., Speed, Conrad W., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Fisher, Rebecca, Sherman, C. Samantha, Kiszka, Jeremy J., Rees, Matthew J., Udyawer, Vinay, Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina M., Asher, Jacob, Beaufort, Océane, Bernard, Anthony T. F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy L., Boslogo, Tracey, Brooks, Edward J., Brown, J. Jed, Buddo, Dayne, Cáceres, Camila, Casareto, Sara, Charloo, Venkatesh, Cinner, Joshua E., Clua, Eric E. G., Cochran, Jesse E. M., Cook, Neil, D’Alberto, Brooke M., de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege-Lazaroff, Mareike C., Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Ferreira, Carlos Eduardo Leite, Fields, Candace Y. A., Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Barcia, Laura García, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Graham, Rory, Hagan, Valerie, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen M., Heithaus, Patricia, Henderson, Aaron C., Hertler, Heidi, Hueter, Robert E., Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy D., Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Kasana, Devanshi, Kelley, Megan, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lawe, Jaedon, Lédée, Elodie J. I., Lindfield, Steve, Maggs, Jade Q., Manjaji-Matsumoto, B. Mabel, Marshall, Andrea, Matich, Philip, McCombs, Erin, McLean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Newman, Stephen J., O’Shea, Owen R., Osuka, Kennedy E., Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley J., Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L. M. Sjamsul, Quinlan, Jessica R., Razafindrakoto, Christelle F., Rolim, Fernanda A., Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Ruiz, Hector, Samoilys, Melita A., Sala, Enric, Sample, William R., Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schoen, Sara N., Schlaff, Audrey M., Smith, Adam N. H., Sparks, Lauren, Stoffers, Twan, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Warren, Joseph D., Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin K., Whitman, Elizabeth R., Wirsing, Aaron J., Zarza-González, Esteban, and Chapman, Demian D.

Published
2024
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2. Seagrass Abundance Predicts Surficial Soil Organic Carbon Stocks Across the Range of Thalassia testudinum in the Western North Atlantic

Author

Fourqurean, James W, Campbell, Justin E, Rhoades, O Kennedy, Munson, Calvin J, Krause, Johannes R, Altieri, Andrew H, Douglass, James G, Heck, Kenneth L, Paul, Valerie J, Armitage, Anna R, Barry, Savanna C, Bethel, Enrique, Christ, Lindsey, Christianen, Marjolijn JA, Dodillet, Grace, Dutton, Katrina, Frazer, Thomas K, Gaffey, Bethany M, Glazner, Rachael, Goeke, Janelle A, Grana-Valdes, Rancel, Kramer, Olivier AA, Linhardt, Samantha T, Martin, Charles W, López, Isis Gabriela Martínez, McDonald, Ashley M, Main, Vivienne A, Manuel, Sarah A, Marco-Méndez, Candela, O’Brien, Duncan A, O’Shea, Owen, Patrick, Christopher J, Peabody, Clare, Reynolds, Laura K, Rodriguez, Alex, Bravo, Lucia M Rodriguez, Sang, Amanda, Sawall, Yvonne, Smulders, Fee OH, Thompson, Jamie E, van Tussenbroek, Brigitta, Wied, William L, and Wilson, Sara S

Subjects
Life Below Water, Blue carbon, Submerged aquatic vegetation, Latitudinal gradients, Decomposition, Nutrient limitation, Sediment, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Marine Biology & Hydrobiology, Biological sciences, Earth sciences, Environmental sciences
Abstract

The organic carbon (Corg) stored in seagrass meadows is globally significant and could be relevant in strategies to mitigate increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Most of that stored Corg is in the soils that underlie the seagrasses. We explored how seagrass and soil characteristics vary among seagrass meadows across the geographic range of turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) with a goal of illuminating the processes controlling soil organic carbon (Corg) storage spanning 23° of latitude. Seagrass abundance (percent cover, biomass, and canopy height) varied by over an order of magnitude across sites, and we found high variability in soil characteristics, with Corg ranging from 0.08 to 12.59% dry weight. Seagrass abundance was a good predictor of the Corg stocks in surficial soils, and the relative importance of seagrass-derived soil Corg increased as abundance increased. These relationships suggest that first-order estimates of surficial soil Corg stocks can be made by measuring seagrass abundance and applying a linear transfer function. The relative availability of the nutrients N and P to support plant growth was also correlated with soil Corg stocks. Stocks were lower at N-limited sites than at P-limited ones, but the importance of seagrass-derived organic matter to soil Corg stocks was not a function of nutrient limitation status. This finding seemed at odds with our observation that labile standard substrates decomposed more slowly at N-limited than at P-limited sites, since even though decomposition rates were 55% lower at N-limited sites, less Corg was accumulating in the soils. The dependence of Corg stocks and decomposition rates on nutrient availability suggests that eutrophication is likely to exert a strong influence on carbon storage in seagrass meadows.

Published
2023

3. Herbivore effects increase with latitude across the extent of a foundational seagrass

Author

Campbell, Justin E., Kennedy Rhoades, O., Munson, Calvin J., Altieri, Andrew H., Douglass, James G., Heck, Kenneth L., Paul, Valerie J., Armitage, Anna R., Barry, Savanna C., Bethel, Enrique, Christ, Lindsey, Christianen, Marjolijn J. A., Dodillet, Grace, Dutton, Katrina, Fourqurean, James W., Frazer, Thomas K., Gaffey, Bethany M., Glazner, Rachael, Goeke, Janelle A., Grana-Valdes, Rancel, Jenkins, Victoria J., Kramer, Olivier A. A., Linhardt, Samantha T., Martin, Charles W., Martinez Lopez, Isis G., McDonald, Ashley M., Main, Vivienne A., Manuel, Sarah A., Marco-Méndez, Candela, O’Brien, Duncan A., O’Shea, Owen R., Patrick, Christopher J., Peabody, Clare, Reynolds, Laura K., Rodriguez, Alex, Rodriguez Bravo, Lucia M., Sang, Amanda, Sawall, Yvonne, Smith, Khalil, Smulders, Fee O. H., Sun, Uriah, Thompson, Jamie E., van Tussenbroek, Brigitta, and Wied, William L.

Published
2024
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8. Estimated life-history traits and movements of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) in The Bahamas based on tag-recapture data

Author

Talwar, Brendan S., Bradley, Darcy, Berry, Christopher, Bond, Mark E., Bouyoucos, Ian A., Brooks, Annabelle M. L., Fields, Candace Y. A., Gallagher, Austin J., Guttridge, Tristan L., Guttridge, Annie E., Hammerschlag, Neil, Hamilton, Ian, Keller, Bryan A., Kessel, Steven T., Matich, Philip, O’Shea, Owen R., Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Raguse, Cameron, Schneider, Eric V. C., Shipley, Oliver N., Smukall, Matthew J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits P. M., and Brooks, Edward J.

Published
2022
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10. Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks

Author

MacNeil, M. Aaron, Chapman, Demian D., Heupel, Michelle, Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heithaus, Michael, Meekan, Mark, Harvey, Euan, Goetze, Jordan, Kiszka, Jeremy, Bond, Mark E., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Speed, Conrad W., Sherman, C. Samantha, Rees, Matthew J., Udyawer, Vinay, Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina, Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Gorham, Taylor, Adam, M. Shiham, Ali, Khadeeja, Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Angulo-Valdés, Jorge A., Asher, Jacob, Barcia, Laura García, Beaufort, Océane, Benjamin, Cecilie, Bernard, Anthony T. F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy, Bonnema, Erika, Bown, Rosalind M. K., Bradley, Darcy, Brooks, Edd, Brown, J. Jed, Buddo, Dayne, Burke, Patrick, Cáceres, Camila, Cardeñosa, Diego, Carrier, Jeffrey C., Caselle, Jennifer E., Charloo, Venkatesh, Claverie, Thomas, Clua, Eric, Cochran, Jesse E. M., Cook, Neil, Cramp, Jessica, D’Alberto, Brooke, de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege, Mareike, Estep, Andy, Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Graham, Rory, Guttridge, Tristan, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen, Henderson, Aaron C., Hertler, Heidi, Hueter, Robert, Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy, Kasana, Devanshi, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kirata, Taratu, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lédée, Elodie J. I., Lindfield, Steve, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, Maggs, Jade, Manjaji-Matsumoto, B. Mabel, Marshall, Andrea, Matich, Philip, McCombs, Erin, McLean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Newman, Stephen J., Nogués, Josep, Obota, Clay, O’Shea, Owen, Osuka, Kennedy, Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley, Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L. M. Sjamsul, Quinlan, Jessica, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Sala, Enric, Samoilys, Melita, Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schlaff, Audrey, Simpson, Nikola, Smith, Adam N. H., Sparks, Lauren, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, Vigliola, Laurent, Ward, Juney, Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin, Whitman, Elizabeth, Wirsing, Aaron J., Wothke, Aljoscha, Zarza-Gonzâlez, Esteban, and Cinner, Joshua E.

Published
2020
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16. Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays

Author

Simpfendorfer, Colin A., primary, Heithaus, Michael R., additional, Heupel, Michelle R., additional, MacNeil, M. Aaron, additional, Meekan, Mark, additional, Harvey, Euan, additional, Sherman, C. Samantha, additional, Currey-Randall, Leanne M., additional, Goetze, Jordan S., additional, Kiszka, Jeremy J., additional, Rees, Matthew J., additional, Speed, Conrad W., additional, Udyawer, Vinay, additional, Bond, Mark E., additional, Flowers, Kathryn I., additional, Clementi, Gina M., additional, Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, additional, Adam, M. Shiham, additional, Ali, Khadeeja, additional, Asher, Jacob, additional, Aylagas, Eva, additional, Beaufort, Océane, additional, Benjamin, Cecilie, additional, Bernard, Anthony T. F., additional, Berumen, Michael L., additional, Bierwagen, Stacy, additional, Birrell, Chico, additional, Bonnema, Erika, additional, Bown, Rosalind M. K., additional, Brooks, Edward J., additional, Brown, J. Jed, additional, Buddo, Dayne, additional, Burke, Patrick J., additional, Cáceres, Camila, additional, Cambra, Marta, additional, Cardeñosa, Diego, additional, Carrier, Jeffrey C., additional, Casareto, Sara, additional, Caselle, Jennifer E., additional, Charloo, Venkatesh, additional, Cinner, Joshua E., additional, Claverie, Thomas, additional, Clua, Eric E. G., additional, Cochran, Jesse E. M., additional, Cook, Neil, additional, Cramp, Jessica E., additional, D’Alberto, Brooke M., additional, de Graaf, Martin, additional, Dornhege, Mareike C., additional, Espinoza, Mario, additional, Estep, Andy, additional, Fanovich, Lanya, additional, Farabaugh, Naomi F., additional, Fernando, Daniel, additional, Ferreira, Carlos E. L., additional, Fields, Candace Y. A., additional, Flam, Anna L., additional, Floros, Camilla, additional, Fourqurean, Virginia, additional, Gajdzik, Laura, additional, Barcia, Laura García, additional, Garla, Ricardo, additional, Gastrich, Kirk, additional, George, Lachlan, additional, Giarrizzo, Tommaso, additional, Graham, Rory, additional, Guttridge, Tristan L., additional, Hagan, Valerie, additional, Hardenstine, Royale S., additional, Heck, Stephen M., additional, Henderson, Aaron C., additional, Heithaus, Patricia, additional, Hertler, Heidi, additional, Padilla, Mauricio Hoyos, additional, Hueter, Robert E., additional, Jabado, Rima W., additional, Joyeux, Jean-Christophe, additional, Jaiteh, Vanessa, additional, Johnson, Mohini, additional, Jupiter, Stacy D., additional, Kaimuddin, Muslimin, additional, Kasana, Devanshi, additional, Kelley, Megan, additional, Kessel, Steven T., additional, Kiilu, Benedict, additional, Kirata, Taratau, additional, Kuguru, Baraka, additional, Kyne, Fabian, additional, Langlois, Tim, additional, Lara, Frida, additional, Lawe, Jaedon, additional, Lédée, Elodie J. I., additional, Lindfield, Steve, additional, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, additional, Maggs, Jade Q., additional, Manjaji-Matsumoto, B. Mabel, additional, Marshall, Andrea, additional, Martin, Lucy, additional, Mateos-Molina, Daniel, additional, Matich, Philip, additional, McCombs, Erin, additional, McIvor, Ashlie, additional, McLean, Dianne, additional, Meggs, Llewelyn, additional, Moore, Stephen, additional, Mukherji, Sushmita, additional, Murray, Ryan, additional, Newman, Stephen J., additional, Nogués, Josep, additional, Obota, Clay, additional, Ochavillo, Domingo, additional, O'Shea, Owen, additional, Osuka, Kennedy E., additional, Papastamatiou, Yannis P., additional, Perera, Nishan, additional, Peterson, Bradley, additional, Pimentel, Caio R., additional, Pina-Amargós, Fabián, additional, Pinheiro, Hudson T., additional, Ponzo, Alessandro, additional, Prasetyo, Andhika, additional, Quamar, L. M. Sjamsul, additional, Quinlan, Jessica R., additional, Reis-Filho, José Amorim, additional, Ruiz, Hector, additional, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, additional, Sala, Enric, additional, de-León, Pelayo Salinas, additional, Samoilys, Melita A., additional, Sample, William R., additional, Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, additional, Schlaff, Audrey M., additional, Schmid, Kurt, additional, Schoen, Sara N., additional, Simpson, Nikola, additional, Smith, Adam N. H., additional, Spaet, Julia L. Y., additional, Sparks, Lauren, additional, Stoffers, Twan, additional, Tanna, Akshay, additional, Torres, Rubén, additional, Travers, Michael J., additional, van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, additional, Vigliola, Laurent, additional, Ward, Juney, additional, Warren, Joseph D., additional, Watts, Alexandra M., additional, Wen, Colin K., additional, Whitman, Elizabeth R., additional, Wirsing, Aaron J., additional, Wothke, Aljoscha, additional, Zarza-González, Esteban, additional, and Chapman, Demian D., additional

Published
2023
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18. Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays

Author

Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heithaus, Michael R., Heupel, Michelle R., Macneil, M.A., Meekan, Mark, Harvey, Euan, Sherman, C.S., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Goetze, Jordan S., Kiszka, Jeremy J., Rees, Matthew J., Speed, Conrad W., Udyawer, Vinay, Bond, Mark E., Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina M., Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Adam, M.S., Ali, Khadeeja, Asher, Jacob, Aylagas, Eva, Beaufort, Océane, Benjamin, Cecilie, Bernard, Anthony T.F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy, Birrell, Chico, Bonnema, Erika, Bown, Rosalind M.K., Brooks, Edward J., Brown, J.J., Buddo, Dayne, Burke, Patrick J., Cáceres, Camila, Cambra, Marta, Cardeñosa, Diego, Carrier, Jeffrey C., Casareto, Sara, Caselle, Jennifer E., Charloo, Venkatesh, Cinner, Joshua E., Claverie, Thomas, Clua, Eric E.G., Cochran, Jesse E.M., Cook, Neil, Cramp, Jessica E., d’Alberto, Brooke M., de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege, Mareike C., Espinoza, Mario, Estep, Andy, Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Ferreira, Carlos E.L., Fields, Candace Y.A., Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Gajdzik, Laura, García Barcia, Laura, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Giarrizzo, Tommaso, Graham, Rory, Guttridge, Tristan L., Hagan, Valerie, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen M., Henderson, Aaron C., Heithaus, Patricia, Hertler, Heidi, Hoyos Padilla, Mauricio, Hueter, Robert E., Jabado, Rima W., Joyeux, Jean-Christophe, Jaiteh, Vanessa, Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy D., Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Kasana, Devanshi, Kelley, Megan, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kirata, Taratau, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lara, Frida, Lawe, Jaedon, Lédée, Elodie J.I., Lindfield, Steve, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, Maggs, Jade Q., Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M., Marshall, Andrea, Martin, Lucy, Mateos-Molina, Daniel, Matich, Philip, Mccombs, Erin, Mcivor, Ashlie, Mclean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Newman, Stephen J., Nogués, Josep, Obota, Clay, Ochavillo, Domingo, O'Shea, Owen, Osuka, Kennedy E., Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley, Pimentel, Caio R., Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Pinheiro, Hudson T., Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L.M.S., Quinlan, Jessica R., Reis-Filho, José Amorim, Ruiz, Hector, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Sala, Enric, Salinas-de-León, Pelayo, Samoilys, Melita A., Sample, William R., Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schlaff, Audrey M., Schmid, Kurt, Schoen, Sara N., Simpson, Nikola, Smith, Adam N.H., Spaet, Julia L.Y., Sparks, Lauren, Stoffers, Twan, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, Vigliola, Laurent, Ward, Juney, Warren, Joseph D., Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin K., Whitman, Elizabeth R., Wirsing, Aaron J., Wothke, Aljoscha, Zarza-González, Esteban, Chapman, Demian D., Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heithaus, Michael R., Heupel, Michelle R., Macneil, M.A., Meekan, Mark, Harvey, Euan, Sherman, C.S., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Goetze, Jordan S., Kiszka, Jeremy J., Rees, Matthew J., Speed, Conrad W., Udyawer, Vinay, Bond, Mark E., Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina M., Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Adam, M.S., Ali, Khadeeja, Asher, Jacob, Aylagas, Eva, Beaufort, Océane, Benjamin, Cecilie, Bernard, Anthony T.F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy, Birrell, Chico, Bonnema, Erika, Bown, Rosalind M.K., Brooks, Edward J., Brown, J.J., Buddo, Dayne, Burke, Patrick J., Cáceres, Camila, Cambra, Marta, Cardeñosa, Diego, Carrier, Jeffrey C., Casareto, Sara, Caselle, Jennifer E., Charloo, Venkatesh, Cinner, Joshua E., Claverie, Thomas, Clua, Eric E.G., Cochran, Jesse E.M., Cook, Neil, Cramp, Jessica E., d’Alberto, Brooke M., de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege, Mareike C., Espinoza, Mario, Estep, Andy, Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Ferreira, Carlos E.L., Fields, Candace Y.A., Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Gajdzik, Laura, García Barcia, Laura, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Giarrizzo, Tommaso, Graham, Rory, Guttridge, Tristan L., Hagan, Valerie, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen M., Henderson, Aaron C., Heithaus, Patricia, Hertler, Heidi, Hoyos Padilla, Mauricio, Hueter, Robert E., Jabado, Rima W., Joyeux, Jean-Christophe, Jaiteh, Vanessa, Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy D., Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Kasana, Devanshi, Kelley, Megan, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kirata, Taratau, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lara, Frida, Lawe, Jaedon, Lédée, Elodie J.I., Lindfield, Steve, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, Maggs, Jade Q., Manjaji-Matsumoto, B.M., Marshall, Andrea, Martin, Lucy, Mateos-Molina, Daniel, Matich, Philip, Mccombs, Erin, Mcivor, Ashlie, Mclean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Newman, Stephen J., Nogués, Josep, Obota, Clay, Ochavillo, Domingo, O'Shea, Owen, Osuka, Kennedy E., Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley, Pimentel, Caio R., Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Pinheiro, Hudson T., Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L.M.S., Quinlan, Jessica R., Reis-Filho, José Amorim, Ruiz, Hector, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Sala, Enric, Salinas-de-León, Pelayo, Samoilys, Melita A., Sample, William R., Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schlaff, Audrey M., Schmid, Kurt, Schoen, Sara N., Simpson, Nikola, Smith, Adam N.H., Spaet, Julia L.Y., Sparks, Lauren, Stoffers, Twan, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, Vigliola, Laurent, Ward, Juney, Warren, Joseph D., Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin K., Whitman, Elizabeth R., Wirsing, Aaron J., Wothke, Aljoscha, Zarza-González, Esteban, and Chapman, Demian D.

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

19. Seagrass Abundance Predicts Surficial Soil Organic Carbon Stocks Across the Range of Thalassia testudinum in the Western North Atlantic

Author

Fourqurean, James W., Campbell, Justin E., Rhoades, O.K., Munson, Calvin J., Krause, Johannes R., Altieri, Andrew H., Douglass, James G., Heck, Kenneth L., Paul, Valerie J., Armitage, Anna R., Barry, Savanna C., Bethel, Enrique, Christ, Lindsey, Christianen, Marjolijn J.A., Dodillet, Grace, Dutton, Katrina, Frazer, Thomas K., Gaffey, Bethany M., Glazner, Rachael, Goeke, Janelle A., Grana-Valdes, Rancel, Kramer, Olivier A.A., Linhardt, Samantha T., Martin, Charles W., López, Isis Gabriela Martínez, McDonald, Ashley M., Main, Vivienne A., Manuel, Sarah A., Marco-Méndez, Candela, O’Brien, Duncan A., O’Shea, Owen, Patrick, Christopher J., Peabody, Clare, Reynolds, Laura K., Rodriguez, Alex, Rodriguez Bravo, Lucia M., Sang, Amanda, Sawall, Yvonne, Smulders, Fee O.H., Thompson, Jamie E., van Tussenbroek, Brigitta, Wied, William L., Wilson, Sara S., Fourqurean, James W., Campbell, Justin E., Rhoades, O.K., Munson, Calvin J., Krause, Johannes R., Altieri, Andrew H., Douglass, James G., Heck, Kenneth L., Paul, Valerie J., Armitage, Anna R., Barry, Savanna C., Bethel, Enrique, Christ, Lindsey, Christianen, Marjolijn J.A., Dodillet, Grace, Dutton, Katrina, Frazer, Thomas K., Gaffey, Bethany M., Glazner, Rachael, Goeke, Janelle A., Grana-Valdes, Rancel, Kramer, Olivier A.A., Linhardt, Samantha T., Martin, Charles W., López, Isis Gabriela Martínez, McDonald, Ashley M., Main, Vivienne A., Manuel, Sarah A., Marco-Méndez, Candela, O’Brien, Duncan A., O’Shea, Owen, Patrick, Christopher J., Peabody, Clare, Reynolds, Laura K., Rodriguez, Alex, Rodriguez Bravo, Lucia M., Sang, Amanda, Sawall, Yvonne, Smulders, Fee O.H., Thompson, Jamie E., van Tussenbroek, Brigitta, Wied, William L., and Wilson, Sara S.

Abstract

The organic carbon (Corg) stored in seagrass meadows is globally significant and could be relevant in strategies to mitigate increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Most of that stored Corg is in the soils that underlie the seagrasses. We explored how seagrass and soil characteristics vary among seagrass meadows across the geographic range of turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) with a goal of illuminating the processes controlling soil organic carbon (Corg) storage spanning 23° of latitude. Seagrass abundance (percent cover, biomass, and canopy height) varied by over an order of magnitude across sites, and we found high variability in soil characteristics, with Corg ranging from 0.08 to 12.59% dry weight. Seagrass abundance was a good predictor of the Corg stocks in surficial soils, and the relative importance of seagrass-derived soil Corg increased as abundance increased. These relationships suggest that first-order estimates of surficial soil Corg stocks can be made by measuring seagrass abundance and applying a linear transfer function. The relative availability of the nutrients N and P to support plant growth was also correlated with soil Corg stocks. Stocks were lower at N-limited sites than at P-limited ones, but the importance of seagrass-derived organic matter to soil Corg stocks was not a function of nutrient limitation status. This finding seemed at odds with our observation that labile standard substrates decomposed more slowly at N-limited than at P-limited sites, since even though decomposition rates were 55% lower at N-limited sites, less Corg was accumulating in the soils. The dependence of Corg stocks and decomposition rates on nutrient availability suggests that eutrophication is likely to exert a strong influence on carbon storage in seagrass meadows.

Published
2023

20. Energetic connectivity of diverse elasmobranch populations – implications for ecological resilience

Author

Shipley, Oliver N., primary, Matich, Philip, additional, Hussey, Nigel E., additional, Brooks, Annabelle M. L., additional, Chapman, Demian, additional, Frisk, Michael G., additional, Guttridge, Annie E., additional, Guttridge, Tristan L., additional, Howey, Lucy A., additional, Kattan, Sami, additional, Madigan, Daniel J., additional, O'Shea, Owen, additional, Polunin, Nicholas V., additional, Power, Michael, additional, Smukall, Matthew J., additional, Schneider, Eric V. C., additional, Shea, Brendan D., additional, Talwar, Brendan S., additional, Winchester, Maggie, additional, Brooks, Edward J., additional, and Gallagher, Austin J., additional

Published
2023
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21. Author Correction: Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks

Author

MacNeil, M. Aaron, Chapman, Demian D., Heupel, Michelle, Simpfendorfer, Colin A., Heithaus, Michael, Meekan, Mark, Harvey, Euan, Goetze, Jordan, Kiszka, Jeremy, Bond, Mark E., Currey-Randall, Leanne M., Speed, Conrad W., Sherman, C. Samantha, Rees, Matthew J., Udyawer, Vinay, Flowers, Kathryn I., Clementi, Gina, Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine, Gorham, Taylor, Adam, M. Shiham, Ali, Khadeeja, Pina-Amargós, Fabián, Angulo-Valdés, Jorge A., Asher, Jacob, Barcia, Laura García, Beaufort, Océane, Benjamin, Cecilie, Bernard, Anthony T. F., Berumen, Michael L., Bierwagen, Stacy, Bonnema, Erika, Bown, Rosalind M. K., Bradley, Darcy, Brooks, Edd, Brown, J. Jed, Buddo, Dayne, Burke, Patrick, Cáceres, Camila, Cardeñosa, Diego, Carrier, Jeffrey C., Caselle, Jennifer E., Charloo, Venkatesh, Claverie, Thomas, Clua, Eric, Cochran, Jesse E. M., Cook, Neil, Cramp, Jessica, D’Alberto, Brooke, de Graaf, Martin, Dornhege, Mareike, Estep, Andy, Fanovich, Lanya, Farabaugh, Naomi F., Fernando, Daniel, Flam, Anna L., Floros, Camilla, Fourqurean, Virginia, Garla, Ricardo, Gastrich, Kirk, George, Lachlan, Graham, Rory, Guttridge, Tristan, Hardenstine, Royale S., Heck, Stephen, Henderson, Aaron C., Hertler, Heidi, Hueter, Robert, Johnson, Mohini, Jupiter, Stacy, Kasana, Devanshi, Kessel, Steven T., Kiilu, Benedict, Kirata, Taratu, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyne, Fabian, Langlois, Tim, Lédée, Elodie J. I., Lindfield, Steve, Luna-Acosta, Andrea, Maggs, Jade, Manjaji-Matsumoto, B. Mabel, Marshall, Andrea, Matich, Philip, McCombs, Erin, McLean, Dianne, Meggs, Llewelyn, Moore, Stephen, Mukherji, Sushmita, Murray, Ryan, Kaimuddin, Muslimin, Newman, Stephen J., Nogués, Josep, Obota, Clay, O’Shea, Owen, Osuka, Kennedy, Papastamatiou, Yannis P., Perera, Nishan, Peterson, Bradley, Ponzo, Alessandro, Prasetyo, Andhika, Quamar, L. M. Sjamsul, Quinlan, Jessica, Ruiz-Abierno, Alexei, Sala, Enric, Samoilys, Melita, Schärer-Umpierre, Michelle, Schlaff, Audrey, Simpson, Nikola, Smith, Adam N. H., Sparks, Lauren, Tanna, Akshay, Torres, Rubén, Travers, Michael J., van Zinnicq Bergmann, Maurits, Vigliola, Laurent, Ward, Juney, Watts, Alexandra M., Wen, Colin, Whitman, Elizabeth, Wirsing, Aaron J., Wothke, Aljoscha, Zarza-Gonzâlez, Esteban, and Cinner, Joshua E.

Published
2020
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22. Supplementary Information from Energetic connectivity of diverse elasmobranch populations – implications for ecological resilience

Author

Shipley, Oliver N., Matich, Philip, Hussey, Nigel E., Brooks, Annabelle M. L., Chapman, Demian, Frisk, Michael G., Guttridge, Annie E., Guttridge, Tristan L., Howey, Lucy A., Kattan, Sami, Madigan, Daniel J., O'Shea, Owen, Polunin, Nicholas V., Power, Michael, Smukall, Matthew J., Schneider, Eric V. C., Shea, Brendan D., Talwar, Brendan S., Winchester, Maggie, Brooks, Edward J., and Gallagher, Austin J.

Abstract

Additional information on sample collection and statistical analyses

Published
2023
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25. 'FOULLY BUTCHERED IN A MANNER SO TREACHEROUS': THE EXECUTION OF A NATIONAL ARMY OFFICER A CENTURY AGO FOLLOWED TWO SHOCKING KILLINGS IN RURAL KERRY IN THE MONTHS AFTER THE END OF THE CIVIL WAR.

Author

O'Shea, Owen

Subjects
CIVIL war, ARMY officers, HANGING (Death), SLAUGHTERING, WAR
Abstract

This article discusses the execution of Lieutenant Jeremiah Gaffney, a National Army officer, for his involvement in the brutal murder of a civilian in Kerry, Ireland, in 1923. Gaffney, known for his violent and volatile behavior, was implicated in the deaths of several individuals, including an IRA lieutenant and a local man. The murder of Thomas Brosnan, the young civilian, was a result of personal and political animosities, as Gaffney used an allegation made by his lover to carry out the attack. The trial and execution of Gaffney marked a shift in the government's approach to army outrages in Kerry, signaling a move towards enforcing law and order. [Extracted from the article]

Published
2024

26. Data underlying publication: Green turtles shape the seascape through grazing patch formation around habitat features: experimental evidence

Author

Smulders, Fee, Bakker, Liesbeth, O'Shea, Owen R., Campbell, Justin E., Rhoades, Olivia K., Christianen, Marjolijn J.A., Smulders, Fee, Bakker, Liesbeth, O'Shea, Owen R., Campbell, Justin E., Rhoades, Olivia K., and Christianen, Marjolijn J.A.

Abstract

This dataset contains the field data collected from field experiments studying the impact of habitat structure on turtle density, behavior and grazing impact

Published
2022

30. Ontogenetic Habitat Use Specificity in Stingrays (Dasyatidae) in South Eleuthera, The Bahamas

Author

Batali, Leo, St Onge, Cameron, Crenshaw, Robert, Nystrom, Maddie, Corbett, Ellie, Gouldman, Hadley, and O'Shea, Owen

Subjects
ComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATION, GeneralLiterature_REFERENCE(e.g.,dictionaries,encyclopedias,glossaries), ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
Abstract

Poster created by students of The Island School semester research class of Spring 2015

Published
2022
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31. Thermal Niche Preference of the Southern Stingray, Dasyatis americana

Author

Ambargis, Emily, Casagrande, Baker, Hecht, Gracen, Hoffman, Talia, Kaye, Lily, Janmohamed, Azam, White, Allie, O'Shea, Owen, and Montgomery, Dan

Subjects
ComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATION, GeneralLiterature_REFERENCE(e.g.,dictionaries,encyclopedias,glossaries), ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
Abstract

Poster created by students of The Island School semester research class of Spring 2016

Published
2022
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33. Taste the Waste: Quantifying Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans

Author

Meyer, Sophie, Jackowitz, Will, Alic, Zoe-Maud, Feldmann-DeMello, Lizzie, Allen, Cooper, Widing, Charlie, Thomas, Kyron, O'Shea, Owen, and Furtado, Miguel

Subjects
ComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATION, GeneralLiterature_REFERENCE(e.g.,dictionaries,encyclopedias,glossaries), ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
Abstract

Poster created by students of The Island School semester research class of Spring 2016

Published
2022
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34. Transmitter attachment and release methods for short-term shark and stingray tracking on coral reefs

Author

Speed, Conrad W., O'Shea, Owen R., and Meekan, Mark G.

Subjects
Fish tagging -- Methods, Biological sciences
Abstract

This study details a simple and cost-effective means of attaching acoustic transmitters to coral reef sharks and stingrays, which potentially allows for retrieval and reuse on completion of tracks. Between 2008 and 2011, galvanised timed releases were trialled in both static field tests and on blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus, cowtail Pastinachus atrus, and porcupine Urogymnus asperrimus rays in Coral Bay (-23°08'41', 113°45'53'), Western Australia. The timed releases remained attached to animals for the duration required for tracking and in four out of five deployments transmitters were recovered after release from the animals. The use of modified Rototags for sharks and stainless steel darts for stingrays allowed rapid and effective attachment to animals, with limited impact on their welfare in the short term. External attachment for short-term tracking of coral reef-associated elasmobranchs should be considered as a complementary option to internal placement of transmitters in animals either by surgery or by ingestion., Introduction Since the inception of studies using acoustic telemetry to track elasmobranchs in the 1960s, there have been two commonly reoccurring problems faced by researchers: firstly, transmitter retention for the [...]

Published
2013
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36. Linking local movement and molecular analysis to explore philopatry and population connectivity of the southern stingray \(\textit {Hypanus americanus}\)

Author

Schwanck, Tanja N. (M. Sc.), Schweinsberg, Maximilian (Dr. rer. nat.), Lampert, Kathrin P. (PD Dr. rer. nat.), Guttridge, Tristan L., and O'Shea, Owen

Subjects
ddc:570
Abstract

Limited data pertaining to life history and population connectivity of the data-deficient southern stingray (\(\textit {Hypanus americanus}\)) are available. To determine potential vulnerabilities of their populations, this study aimed to analyse their movement patterns and genetic variability. A population of southern stingrays encompassing nine sites around Cape Eleuthera, the Bahamas, has been monitored using mark-recapture, spanning a 2.5 year period. Out of 200 individual stingrays, more than a third were encountered again. The home range of the females appears to be restricted, which supports the notion of high site residency. As resident populations of stingrays could suffer from a lack of population connectivity and be predestined for genetic isolation and local extirpation, this study further investigated the genetic connectivity of four sample sites in the central and western Bahamas. A haplotype analysis from the mitochondrial D-loop region showed that no distinct population structure strictly correlated with the sample site. These findings were complemented by five microsatellite loci that revealed high degrees in genotypic variability and little population differentiation. The results suggest gene flow mediated by both males and females.

Published
2020

37. Animal-borne video reveals atypical behaviour in provisioned green turtles : A global perspective of a widespread tourist activity

Author

Smulders, Fee O.H., O'Shea, Owen R., Christianen, Marjolijn J.A., Smulders, Fee O.H., O'Shea, Owen R., and Christianen, Marjolijn J.A.

Abstract

Feeding wildlife as a tourist activity is a growing industry around the world. However, providing alternative food sources can affect wildlife ecology and behaviour. In this study, we combined animal-borne cameras on five sub-adult green turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Bahamas with a global review to directly assess impacts of provisioning on the behaviour of an endangered marine species for the first time. Descriptive evidence from video footage, with videos included in the manuscript, showed that the tagged turtles spent 86% of their time in shallow water (<1.5 m) at a provisioning site. All individuals observed, both tagged and untagged, actively approached people and boats, with up to 10 turtles recorded feeding on squid offered by tourists at one time. During these feeding events, multiple accounts of atypical aggressive behaviour such as biting and ramming conspecifics were recorded. Furthermore, a review of online sources revealed the widespread significance of turtle feeding as a tourist activity in at least 20 locations within the global range of green sea turtles, as well as five locations with regular provisioning of either loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) or hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbracata) turtles. At the majority of the locations, turtles were fed animal matter such as fish scraps and squid. Although sample size limited quantitative analyses, we found indications of relatively high growth rates of two tagged turtles and low seagrass intake rates of all five tagged turtles. Therefore, our results emphasize the need to further investigate the impacts of turtle provisioning on natural foraging behaviour, ecosystem functioning as well as turtle growth rates and health implications. Supplemental feeding may increase habituation and dependency of turtles on humans with risks for turtle conservation. The innovative use of animal-borne camera technology may provide novel insights to behavioural consequences of human-wildlife interactions that can aid in the ma

Published
2021

39. Linking local movement and molecular analysis to explore philopatry and population connectivity of the southern stingray Hypanus americanus

Author

Schwanck, Tanja N., Schweinsberg, Maximilian, Lampert, Kathrin P., Guttridge, Tristan L., Tollrian, Ralph, O'Shea, Owen, Schwanck, Tanja N., Schweinsberg, Maximilian, Lampert, Kathrin P., Guttridge, Tristan L., Tollrian, Ralph, and O'Shea, Owen

Abstract

Limited data pertaining to life history and population connectivity of the data-deficient southern stingray (Hypanus americanus) are available. To determine potential vulnerabilities of their populations, this study aimed to analyse their movement patterns and genetic variability. A population of southern stingrays encompassing nine sites around Cape Eleuthera, the Bahamas, has been monitored using mark-recapture, spanning a 2.5 year period. Out of 200 individual stingrays, more than a third were encountered again. The home range of the females appears to be restricted, which supports the notion of high site residency. As resident populations of stingrays could suffer from a lack of population connectivity and be predestined for genetic isolation and local extirpation, this study further investigated the genetic connectivity of four sample sites in the central and western Bahamas. A haplotype analysis from the mitochondrial D-loop region showed that no distinct population structure strictly correlated with the sample site. These findings were complemented by five microsatellite loci that revealed high degrees in genotypic variability and little population differentiation. The results suggest gene flow mediated by both males and females.

Published
2020

40. An experimental assessment of social tolerance and den ecology in a high-density octopus population.

Author

O'Brien, Duncan A., Taylor, Michelle L., Masonjones, Heather D., Boersch-Supan, Philipp H., and O'Shea, Owen R.

Subjects
OCTOPUSES, ECOLOGICAL models, POPULATION density, BIVALVES
Abstract

Long held notions of the universally asocial octopus are being challenged due to the identification of high-density and interacting octopus populations in Australia, Indonesia, Japan and the deep sea. This study experimentally assessed the social tolerance and presence of potential prey items of Caribbean reef octopus, Octopus briareus, in a tropical marine lake (25°21′40″N, 76°30′40″W) on the island of Eleuthera, The Bahamas, by deploying artificial dens in multi-den groups or 'units' in the months of May and June 2019. Fifteen octopus were observed occupying dens (n = 100), resulting in 13 den units being occupied (n = 40). Two examples of adjacent occupation within a single den unit were identified but with zero examples of cohabitation/den sharing. Ecological models showed den and den unit occupation was predicted to increase with depth and differ between sites. Octopus also displayed no preference for isolated or communal units but preferred isolated dens over dens adjacent to others. Additionally, 47 % of occupied dens contained bivalve or crustacean items with no epifauna on their interior surface. The lack of epifauna suggests that these items have been recently 'cleaned' by occupying octopus and so represent likely prey. This study presents evidence of possible antisocial den use by O. briareus, a modification of the default 'asocial' ignoring of conspecifics typically attributed to octopus. This is likely in response to the high population density and may imply behavioural plasticity, making this system appropriate for further scrutiny as a research location on the influence of large, insular environments on marine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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42. Fine-scale movement and activity patterns of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) in the Bahamas.

Author

Shipley, Oliver N., Brownscombe, Jacob W., Danylchuk, Andy J., Cooke, Steven J., O’Shea, Owen R., and Brooks, Edward J.

Subjects
SPATIAL ecology, ECOSYSTEM dynamics, UNDERWATER acoustic telemetry, SHARKS, FISH ecology
Abstract

Knowledge of the spatial ecology and movement of animals contributes to our understanding of intra- and inter-specific interactions and ecosystem dynamics, and can inform conservation actions. Here we assessed the space use and activity levels of a marine predator, the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi), in coastal regions of Eleuthera, The Bahamas over a 60-day period using acoustic telemetry. Of the 14 adult sharks (eight males, six females) tagged with acoustic transmitters (equipped with accelerometer sensor), nine were detected in a 14 km2 gridded receiver array. Male sharks were significantly less likely to be detected over time relative to females. Given post-release survival is typically high in C. perezi, this finding may indicate that males have larger home ranges and may exhibit lower site fidelity compared to females. Patterns of space use indicated C. perezi primarily occupied the outer reef shelf and were rarely detected on the interior of the reef. Shark activity levels (inferred from acceleration profiles) were highest in close proximity to the reef shelf. Our findings indicate C. perezi individuals frequently occupy deeper water habitats, but make forays into reef shelf habitats where high activity levels are likely related to foraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
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43. The ecology and biology of stingays (Dasyatidae) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Author

van Keulen, Mike, Meekan, M., Thums, M., O'Shea, Owen, van Keulen, Mike, Meekan, M., Thums, M., and O'Shea, Owen

Abstract

Batoids make up a significant portion of the biomass in coastal and nearshore ecosystems, yet few data are available on the functional role and life history characteristics of rays in these environments. Given their conservative life history traits and vulnerability to extrinsic pressures, urgent information is required to further understand this little known group of fishes. The objectives of this research were to assess the biological and ecological characteristics of tropical stingrays at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. More specifically, I wanted to quantify the physical and biological impacts associated with predation by stingrays, prey specificity and trophic resource partitioning and age and growth of five sympatric species (Himantura uarnak, Neotrygon kuhlii, Pastinachus atrus, Taeniura lymma and Urogymnus asperrimus). A technical assessment for safe and ethical lethal sampling protocols for large dasyatid rays is discussed as a foundation to the research that was conducted for this degree. Strict codes of practice for the welfare of animals in scientific research demand up to date methodologies for ethical consideration, especially where death is an endpoint. Safe and humane techniques were developed as part of this study in order to sample the rays required using lethal methods. These techniques proved successful with both considerations met and it is hoped, will provide a framework for safe practices for any future work where lethal sampling of large, potentially hazardous demersal elasmobranchs is required. Age and growth parameter estimates were evaluated for these five species by sectioning and counting calcium band-pair deposition in vertebral samples. Due to less than ideal sample sizes on account of logistical constraints, a multi-analytical approach was adopted to optimise parameter estimates and generate realistic results. This included using a Bayesian framework to approximate the posterior distribution of the growth parameters. Growth rates of

Published
2012

44. Identification of rays through DNA barcoding: an application for ecologists

Author

Cerutti-Pereyra, Florencia, Meekan, Mark G., Wei, Nu-Wei V., O'Shea, Owen, Bradshaw, Corey J. A., Austin, Chris M., Cerutti-Pereyra, Florencia, Meekan, Mark G., Wei, Nu-Wei V., O'Shea, Owen, Bradshaw, Corey J. A., and Austin, Chris M.

Abstract

DNA barcoding potentially offers scientists who are not expert taxonomists a powerful tool to support the accuracy of field studies involving taxa that are diverse and difficult to identify. The taxonomy of rays has received reasonable attention in Australia, although the fauna in remote locations such as Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia is poorly studied and the identification of some species in the field is problematic. Here, we report an application of DNA-barcoding to the identification of 16 species (from 10 genera) of tropical rays as part of an ecological study. Analysis of the dataset combined across all samples grouped sequences into clearly defined operational taxonomic units, with two conspicuous exceptions: the Neotrygon kuhlii species complex and the Aetobatus species complex. In the field, the group that presented the most difficulties for identification was the spotted whiptail rays, referred to as the 'uarnak' complex. Two sets of problems limited the successful application of DNA barcoding: (1) the presence of cryptic species, species complexes with unresolved taxonomic status and intra-specific geographical variation, and (2) insufficient numbers of entries in online databases that have been verified taxonomically, and the presence of lodged sequences in databases with inconsistent names. Nevertheless, we demonstrate the potential of the DNA barcoding approach to confirm field identifications and to highlight species complexes where taxonomic uncertainty might confound ecological data.

Published
2012

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