Article
Fisheries
Kim B. Eustache, Emiel van Loon, Jodie L. Rummer, Serge Planes, Isabel Smallegange
Summary: Reef shark species have experienced significant declines due to human activities, and their conservation requires policies at local, federal, and global levels. This study monitored the blacktip reef shark population around Moorea and within the world's largest shark sanctuary for nine years. The results indicate that local and likely federal policies have been effective in maintaining stable juvenile shark density. However, some nursery areas showed increasing shark densities, potentially due to changes in reproductive behavior or habitat type and resources. Water temperature did not have a significant impact on juvenile shark density over time.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kim B. Eustache, Emilie Boissin, Celine Tardy, Ian A. Bouyoucos, Jodie L. Rummer, Serge Planes
Summary: This study monitored and sampled blacktip reef sharks in nursery habitats to improve understanding of shark reproductive behavior and biology. The research revealed evidence of plastic philopatric behavior, with some female sharks changing parturition areas between seasons while others consistently returning to the same site. Additionally, resource allocation within some shark litters appeared to be unbalanced. These findings contribute to our knowledge of shark populations and can inform future conservation strategies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kim B. Eustache, Emilie Boissin, Celine Tardy, Serge Planes
Summary: Shark species are overfished and conservation efforts require genetic data, which can be costly and time-consuming to collect. This study developed a set of microsatellite markers as an efficient and economical sampling method for addressing knowledge gaps in genetic stock identification, shark behavior, and reproduction.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Mohammad Nafi Solaiman Al-Sabi, Mustafa M. Ibrahim, Fahad Al-Hizab, Omar A. Al-Jabr, Salem Al-Shubaythi, David G. Huffman
Summary: This study reveals the presence of skin lesions caused by Huffmanela sp. eggs on great hammerhead sharks and blacktip reef sharks in the Arabian Gulf. The unique morphometrics of the eggs led to the discovery of a new species named Huffmanela selachii n. sp. This finding contributes to our understanding of the diversity and ubiquity of Huffmanela sp. in marine creatures, marking the first report of Huffmanela on these shark species in the Arabian Gulf.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shamil F. Debaere, Ornella C. Weideli, Ian A. Bouyoucos, Kim B. Eustache, Jose E. Trujillo, Gudrun De Boeck, Serge Planes, Jodie L. Rummer
Summary: Shark neonates often have wounds at the umbilicus, which can be used to estimate their age and growth. This study quantified the changes in umbilicus size of blacktip reef shark neonates, developing a classification system and validating its accuracy. Similar regression relationships can be used for other viviparous shark species.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alexandra N. Schoen, Ian A. Bouyoucos, W. Gary Anderson, Catharine J. Wheaton, Serge Planes, Natalie D. Mylniczenko, Jodie L. Rummer
Summary: Our research analyzed the stress response of the protected tropical shark species, the blacktip reef shark, under different temperature and fishing stress conditions, showing that 1α-OHB did not play a typical glucocorticoid role under these stressors. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time ontogenetic differences in plasma 1α-OHB levels in sharks of different developmental stages.
CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Baolin Ge, Mingjun Wei, Bin Bao, Zhilin Pan, Jeevithan Elango, Wenhui Wu
Summary: Marine collagen has been gaining attention as a biomaterial substitute in tissue engineering due to its role in cellular signaling mechanisms, especially in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This study investigated the integrin receptor binding mechanism and proliferation of MSCs when exposed to marine collagen derived from blacktip reef shark and blue shark compared to bovine collagen. The results showed that marine collagen enhanced MSC proliferation, adhesion, and shape maintenance by interacting with specific integrin subunits, triggering further signaling cascade mechanisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominic G. G. Swift, Shannon J. J. O'Leary, R. Dean Grubbs, Bryan S. S. Frazier, Andrew T. T. Fields, Jayne M. M. Gardiner, J. Marcus Drymon, Dana M. M. Bethea, Tonya R. R. Wiley, David S. S. Portnoy
Summary: Understanding microevolutionary forces and population structure is crucial for effective management of exploited species. This study investigated the genetic structure of blacktip sharks using mitochondrial sequences and SNP-containing loci. The results revealed three genetically distinct units, suggesting regional philopatry and local adaptation. The findings highlight the importance of conserving essential habitats to maintain adaptive variation and enhance species resilience against environmental change.
Article
Ecology
Nicole A. Reistad, Sarah B. Norris, Darren G. Rumbold
Summary: The study found that neonatal blacktip sharks primarily obtain mercury through maternal offloading, while juveniles mainly accumulate mercury through dietary exposure. Additionally, comparisons with previous surveys suggest that mercury levels in southwest Florida estuaries have not declined over the past two decades.
Article
Ecology
Sarah B. Norris, Nicole A. Reistad, Darren G. Rumbold
Summary: Blacktip sharks in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly neonatal and juvenile individuals, were found to have elevated levels of mercury in their muscle, liver, kidney, and blood compared to other local shark species. Exposure to mercury potentially had negative effects on the livers of the blacktip sharks evaluated in the study, as indicated by histopathological analysis. Blood plasma chemistry and hematological effects were not correlated with tissue mercury levels in the sharks.
Article
Fisheries
Philip Matich, Camryn L. Bigelow, Barrett Chambers, Jillian J. Dodds, Jessica A. Hebert, Alexis Lemieux, Christy M. Pittman, Julianna Trapp, Brooke Bianco, Carolina P. Cadena, Emily Castillo, Gabriela Castillo, Alexandra Dawdy, Alina Dominguez, Nicholas Dominique, Donavon R. French, Callie F. Glenn, Elena C. H. Jackson, Breidon Johnson, Gunnar Kohl, Cameron Manka, Jared K. Martin, Matthew Pappas, Audrey J. Reedholm, Kailey M. Snead, Matthew K. Tyree, Mark Fisher
Summary: The coevolution between predators and prey has led to prey species using low-risk habitats for survival during early development. However, the physical and geographical characteristics of these habitats can also limit scientific research. This study identified and analyzed the characteristics of blacktip shark nurseries in the north-western Gulf of Mexico using gillnet monitoring.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lucas Bonnin, Germain Boussarie, Jeremy J. Kiszka, William Robbins, Laurent Vigliola
Summary: In this study, 28 silvertip sharks were tracked using acoustic telemetry for 4 years in New Caledonia to estimate home range sizes and investigate their movement patterns. The results showed that the silvertip shark has similar home range as the grey reef shark, with adult males having larger home ranges than females and juveniles. Additionally, a higher mobility was observed in adult males during the austral summer for silvertip sharks and austral winter for grey reef sharks, corresponding to potential mating seasons. This study provides new insights into the ecology of the silvertip shark and valuable information for targeted conservation measures.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiaolin Huang, Zanhu Zhou, Tinghe Lai, Binyuan He, Demin Zhang
Summary: The complete mitochondrial genome of blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus was determined in this study, revealing a close relationship between C. limbatus and C. amblyrhynchoides based on phylogenetic analysis.
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA PART B-RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Diego Paez-Rosas, Jenifer Suarez-Moncada, Fernando R. Elorriaga-Verplancken, Alberto Proano, Camila Arnes-Urgelles, Pelayo Salinas-de-Leon, Felipe Galvan-Magana
Summary: The study analyzed stable isotopes of blacktip shark samples from three coastal nurseries in the Galapagos Marine Reserve to investigate the feeding behavior of early juvenile sharks. Results showed significant differences in trophic shifts among different size classes, with smaller individuals having a wider trophic niche and larger individuals exhibiting a reduction in trophic niche diversity. Clustering of delta N-15 signatures for the largest size classes indicated similar feeding patterns and trophic levels, while delta C-13 signatures across all size classes showed the use of multiple carbon sources.
JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Addie L. Binstock, Travis M. Richards, Kesley Gibson-Banks, J. Marcus Drymon, R. J. David Wells, John A. Mohan
Summary: Effective management of blacktip sharks requires a comprehensive understanding of their population distribution and stock structure. Previous efforts, such as stock separations and regional quotas, have successfully maintained sustainable harvests of blacktip sharks in commercial and recreational fisheries in the Western North Atlantic and US Gulf of Mexico. This study provides additional evidence of the ecological differences between blacktip sharks from different regions in the US Gulf of Mexico, based on isotopic values and niche areas.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Peter D. Nichols, Heidi R. Pethybridge, Bowen Zhang, Patti Virtue, Lauren Meyer, Zahirah Dhurmeea, Lara Marcus, Jessica A. Ericson, Nicole Hellessey, Sharon Every, Kathryn Wheatley, Christopher C. Parrish, Pascale Eisenmann, Alastair M. M. Baylis, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Stacy L. Bierwagen, Jock W. Young, Lydie I. E. Couturier, Christoph A. Rohner, Jasmin Gross, Courtney Waugh, Charles F. Phleger, Christine Jackson, George Jackson, Charlie Huveneers, Susan Bengtson Nash, Mina Brock, Peter Mansour
Summary: Lipid and fatty acid datasets are widely used in assessing nutritional composition, trophic ecology, and ecosystem dynamics. This dataset includes a large number of records from various marine species in different regions, providing a solid foundation for comparative studies and a broad understanding of the distribution of marine lipids globally.
Article
Ecology
Vinay Udyawer, Charlie Huveneers, Fabrice Jaine, Russell C. Babcock, Stephanie Brodie, Marie-Jeanne Buscot, Hamish A. Campbell, Robert G. Harcourt, Xavier Hoenner, Elodie J. I. Ledee, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Matthew D. Taylor, Asia Armstrong, Adam Barnett, Culum Brown, Barry Bruce, Paul A. Butcher, Gwenael Cadiou, Lydie I. E. Couturier, Leanne Currey-Randall, Michael Drew, Christine L. Dudgeon, Ross G. Dwyer, Mario Espinoza, Luciana C. Ferreira, Anthony Fowler, David Harasti, Alastair R. Harborne, Nathan A. Knott, Kate Lee, Matt Lloyd, Michael Lowry, Teagan Marzullo, Jordan Matley, Jaime D. McAllister, Rory McAuley, Frazer McGregor, Mark Meekan, Kade Mills, Bradley M. Norman, Beverly Oh, Nicholas L. Payne, Vic Peddemors, Toby Piddocke, Richard D. Pillans, Richard D. Reina, Paul Rogers, Jayson M. Semmens, Amy Smoothey, Conrad W. Speed, Dylan van der Meulen, Michelle R. Heupel
Summary: A study found that ectothermic marine species exhibit allometric scaling for activity space, although the relationship is weaker compared to terrestrial species. Body mass alone can only explain 35% of the variation, with trophic position and latitude being stronger predictors for marine species. The study highlights the importance of using large-scale animal biotelemetry networks to address evolutionary and ecological questions across different taxa.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Pierre Lesturgie, Camrin D. Braun, Eric Clua, Johann Mourier, Simon R. Thorrold, Thomas Vignaud, Serge Planes, Stefano Mona
Summary: By sequencing RADseq loci in the gray reef shark population in the Indo-Pacific, we found evidence of a range expansion originating near the Indo-Australian Archipelago. This species shows a continuous genetic structure and high dispersal ability, suggesting that management plans should be designed on a range-wide rather than a local scale.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Yuri Niella, Vinay Udyawer, Michael Drew, Brett Simes, Hugh Pederson, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: Wildlife tourism can contribute to species conservation and regional economies. Sustainable management regulations can minimize detrimental effects on white sharks, as shown by the recovery of white shark residency in Australia's white shark diving industry following the implementation of new regulations in 2012. The adaptive framework used in this industry's management can be applied to other tourism industries.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clementine Seguigne, Johann Mourier, Eric Clua, Nicolas Buray, Serge Planes
Summary: Observers of the Polynesian Shark Observatory collected a unique dataset by conducting over 13,916 dives spanning 43% of the islands of French Polynesia. The data provided insights into the diversity, distribution, seasonality, and abundance of elasmobranch species in the region, and confirmed the effectiveness of the French Polynesia's Shark Sanctuary. The random data collection by volunteers played a crucial role in conservation and management efforts.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Clementine Seguigne, Michel Begue, Carl Meyer, Johann Mourier, Eric Clua
Summary: A criticism of provisioning ecotourism is that it alters the natural behavior and ecology of species. This study evaluated its impact on tiger sharks in French Polynesia and found that the sharks exhibited low site fidelity and there was no increase in fidelity over time. Furthermore, the number of tiger sharks sighted did not increase. Therefore, a strict code of conduct should be implemented during any future provisioning activities.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Ecology
S. Kraft, M. Gandra, R. J. Lennox, J. Mourier, A. C. Winkler, D. Abecasis
Summary: Acoustic telemetry has become one of the most widely used methods in studying the movement ecology of aquatic species, thanks to its ability to obtain large amounts of data. The analysis of acoustic telemetry data involves considering various factors such as research objectives, data properties, species habits, and researcher experience. This study showcases different methods for estimating positions, residency, and home range using geometric, density-distribution, network-based, and three-dimensional approaches, and provides examples using real data. The aim is to assist researchers in selecting the most suitable method(s) for their research objectives when utilizing acoustic telemetry.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Dennis D. U. Heinrich, Felicie Dhellemmes, Culum Brown, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: Endogenous circadian clocks coordinate temporal behavioral aspects in animals, including daily foraging timing. Time-place learning abilities have been demonstrated in teleosts but not yet in chondrichthyans. Investigating time-place learning in sharks will help us understand the impact of anthropogenic factors on their behavior.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas M. Clarke, Sasha K. Whitmarsh, Fabrice R. A. Jaine, Matt D. Taylor, Stephanie Brodie, Nicholas L. Payne, Paul A. Butcher, Matt K. Broadhurst, Joshua Davey, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: The activity of yellowtail kingfish is strongly influenced by sea surface temperature, hour of day, tide height, and moon fraction. These factors can regulate the behaviors and physiological processes of the species. Additionally, their activity and movement patterns were investigated in a seasonal aggregation in a small temperate estuary.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Christine Barry, Christine Legaspi, Thomas M. Clarke, Gonzalo Araujo, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Adrian C. Gleiss, Lauren Meyer, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: Wildlife tourism, especially the feeding of animals, can have negative effects on their behavior and physiology. A study in Oslob, Philippines, found that whale sharks showed increased activity and metabolic rates during tourism operations. The research suggests that managers should focus on reducing energy expenditure through changes in operations rather than increasing food quantity.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peyton A. Thomas, Emily E. Peele, Kara E. Yopak, Culum Brown, Charlie Huveneers, Connor R. Gervais, Stephen T. Kinsey
Summary: Despite regional variations, juvenile Port Jackson sharks showed limited acclimatory potential to alter muscle metabolic features under a temperature increase, potentially making this species vulnerable to climate change, as indicated by the study on their skeletal muscle tissue morphological features.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY A-MOLECULAR & INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Thomas M. Clarke, Sasha K. Whitmarsh, Curtis Champion, Hugh Pederson, Lauren Meyer, Joshua D. Dennis, Ross G. Dwyer, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: Wildlife tourism can impact the behaviors and movements of animals, as shown in our study on yellowtail kingfish. The introduction of food-based attractants increased their activity and burst behaviors, but did not significantly affect their physiological condition. This suggests that the kingfish were able to compensate for the increased energy expenditure through feeding on the bait provided by operators. However, it is important to recognize that the effects of provisioning from wildlife tourism can extend beyond behavior changes and can influence the energetic condition of non-focal animals.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Boube, Claire-Sophie Azam, Antonin Guilbert, Charlie Huveneers, Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Johann Mourier, Jose E. Trujillo, Nastazia Femmami, Andrea Kunovsky, Florent Bersani, Enzo Laurent, Alice Bousseyroux, Thibaut Thellier, Yann Follin, Thomas Pavy, Virginie Jeandel, Alexander Mataarere, Manuella Burlot, Jordan Bouyeure, Beatrice Rigoreau, Laurent Rigoreau, Audrey Lenormand, Farid Chalabi, Marc Hayek, Jean-Marie Jeandel, Pierre-Louis Stenger
Summary: By using photo-identification and laser-photogrammetry, the study describes the seasonal population of the critically endangered great hammerhead shark in the Tiputa pass and Tuheiava pass of French Polynesia. The aggregation was predominantly female, and the sharks showed site fidelity and seasonal residency, suggesting a unique opportunity to study this species in a near-pristine ecosystem.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Yuri Niella, Brett Simes, Andrew Fox, Andrew Wright, Matt Waller, Madeline Riley, Lauren Meyer, Michael Drew, Hugh Pederson, Charlie Huveneers
Summary: This study assessed the response of white sharks to research activities and found that external tagging, biopsies, or deterrent trials do not significantly affect the residency and abundance of white sharks. These changes may be part of natural fluctuations rather than a negative response to the research activities.
