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Reynolds SD, Franklin CE, Norman BM, Richardson AJ, Everett JD, Schoeman DS, White CR, Lawson CL, Pierce SJ, Rohner CA, Bach SS, Comezzi FG, Diamant S, Jaidah MY, Robinson DP, Dwyer RG. Effects of climate warming on energetics and habitat of the world's largest marine ectotherm. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175832. [PMID: 39197762 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Responses of organisms to climate warming are variable and complex. Effects on species distributions are already evident and mean global surface ocean temperatures are likely to warm by up to 4.1 °C by 2100, substantially impacting the physiology and distributions of ectotherms. The largest marine ectotherm, the whale shark Rhincodon typus, broadly prefers sea surface temperatures (SST) ranging from 23 to 30 °C. Whole-species distribution models have projected a poleward range shift under future scenarios of climate change, but these models do not consider intraspecific variation or phenotypic plasticity in thermal limits when modelling species responses, and the impact of climate warming on the energetic requirements of whale sharks is unknown. Using a dataset of 111 whale shark movement tracks from aggregation sites in five countries across the Indian Ocean and the latest Earth-system modelling produced from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we examined how SST and total zooplankton biomass, their main food source, may change in the future, and what this means for the energetic balance and extent of suitable habitat for whale sharks. Earth System Models, under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs; SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5), project that by 2100 mean SST in four regions where whale shark aggregations are found will increase by up to 4.9 °C relative to the present, while zooplankton biomass will decrease. This reduction in zooplankton is projected to be accompanied by an increase in the energetic requirements of whale sharks because warmer water temperatures will increase their metabolic rate. We found marked differences in projected changes in the extent of suitable habitat when comparing a whole-species distribution model to one including regional variation. This suggests that the conventional approach of combining data from different regions within a species' distribution could underestimate the amount of local adaptation in populations, although parameterising local models could also suffer from having insufficient data and lead to model mis-specification or highly uncertain estimates. Our study highlights the need for further research into whale shark thermal tolerances and energetics, the complexities involved in projecting species responses to climate change, and the potential importance of considering intraspecific variation when building species distribution models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha D Reynolds
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; ECOCEAN Inc., 162/3 Powell Rd, Coogee, WA, Australia; Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Bradley M Norman
- ECOCEAN Inc., 162/3 Powell Rd, Coogee, WA, Australia; Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
| | - Anthony J Richardson
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science (CBCS), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; CSIRO Environment, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, AUSTRALIA
| | - Jason D Everett
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; CSIRO Environment, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, QLD, AUSTRALIA; Centre for Marine Science and Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David S Schoeman
- Ocean Futures Research Cluster, School of Science, Technology, and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, Australia; Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - Craig R White
- School of Biological Sciences and Centre for Geometric Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher L Lawson
- School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Simon J Pierce
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL, USA; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Steffen S Bach
- Ramboll, Copenhagen, Denmark; Qatar Whale Shark Research Project, Doha, Qatar
| | - Francesco G Comezzi
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, Marine Resources, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Stella Diamant
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Madagascar Whale Shark Project, Nosy Be, Madagascar
| | | | - David P Robinson
- Qatar Whale Shark Research Project, Doha, Qatar; Sundive Research, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ross G Dwyer
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, The University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia
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2
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Lonati M, Jahanbakht M, Atkins D, Bierwagen SL, Chin A, Barnett A, Rummer JL. Novel use of deep neural networks on photographic identification of epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) across life stages. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39126281 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Photographic identification (photo ID) is an established method that is used to count animals and track individuals' movements. This method performs well with some species of elasmobranchs (i.e., sharks, skates, and rays) where individuals have distinctive skin patterns. However, the unique skin patterns used for ID must be stable through time to allow re-identification of individuals in future sampling events. More recently, artificial intelligence (AI) models have substantially decreased the labor-intensive process of matching photos in extensive photo ID libraries and increased the reliability of photo ID. Here, photo ID and AI are used for the first time to identify epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) at different life stages for approximately 2 years. An AI model was developed to assess and compare the reliability of human-classified ID patterns in juvenile and neonate sharks. The model also tested the persistence of unique patterns in adult sharks. Results indicate that immature life stages are unreliable for pattern identification, using both human and AI approaches, due to the plasticity of these subadult growth forms. Mature sharks maintain their patterns through time and can be identified by AI models with approximately 86% accuracy. The approach outlined in this study has the potential of validating the stability of ID patterns through time; however, testing on wild populations and long-term datasets is needed. This study's novel deep neural network development strategy offers a streamlined and accessible framework for generating a reliable model from a small data set, without requiring high-performance computing. Since many photo ID studies commence with limited datasets and resources, this AI model presents practical solutions to such constraints. Overall, this approach has the potential to address challenges associated with long-term photo ID data sets and the application of AI for shark identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Lonati
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, Australia
- Marine Data Technology Hub, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Australia
| | - Mohammad Jahanbakht
- Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Douglas, Australia
| | - Danielle Atkins
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, Australia
| | - Stacy L Bierwagen
- AIMS@JCU, Townsville, Australia
- AIMS@JCU, Division of Research and Innovation, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Cleveland, Australia
| | - Andrew Chin
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, Australia
| | - Adam Barnett
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, Australia
- Marine Data Technology Hub, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- Biopixel Oceans Foundation, Cairns, Australia
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, Australia
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3
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Womersley FC, Rohner CA, Abrantes K, Afonso P, Arunrugstichai S, Bach SS, Bar S, Barash A, Barnes P, Barnett A, Boldrocchi G, Buffat N, Canon T, Perez CC, Chuangcharoendee M, Cochran JEM, de la Parra R, Diamant S, Driggers W, Dudgeon CL, Erdmann MV, Fitzpatrick R, Flam A, Fontes J, Francis G, Galvan BE, Graham RT, Green SM, Green JR, Grosmark Y, Guzman HM, Hardenstine RS, Harvey M, Harvey-Carroll J, Hasan AW, Hearn AR, Hendon JM, Putra MIH, Himawan MR, Hoffmayer E, Holmberg J, Hsu HH, Jaidah MY, Jansen A, Judd C, Kuguru B, Lester E, Macena BCL, Magson K, Maguiño R, Manjaji-Matsumoto M, Marcoux SD, Marcoux T, McKinney J, Meekan M, Mendoza A, Moazzam M, Monacella E, Norman B, Perry C, Pierce S, Prebble C, Macías DR, Raudino H, Reynolds S, Robinson D, Rowat D, Santos MD, Schmidt J, Scott C, See ST, Sianipar A, Speed CW, Syakurachman I, Tyne JA, Waples K, Winn C, Yuneni RR, Zareer I, Araujo G. Identifying priority sites for whale shark ship collision management globally. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:172776. [PMID: 38697520 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The expansion of the world's merchant fleet poses a great threat to the ocean's biodiversity. Collisions between ships and marine megafauna can have population-level consequences for vulnerable species. The Endangered whale shark (Rhincodon typus) shares a circumglobal distribution with this expanding fleet and tracking of movement pathways has shown that large vessel collisions pose a major threat to the species. However, it is not yet known whether they are also at risk within aggregation sites, where up to 400 individuals can gather to feed on seasonal bursts of planktonic productivity. These "constellation" sites are of significant ecological, socio-economic and cultural value. Here, through expert elicitation, we gathered information from most known constellation sites for this species across the world (>50 constellations and >13,000 individual whale sharks). We defined the spatial boundaries of these sites and their overlap with shipping traffic. Sites were then ranked based on relative levels of potential collision danger posed to whale sharks in the area. Our results showed that researchers and resource managers may underestimate the threat posed by large ship collisions due to a lack of direct evidence, such as injuries or witness accounts, which are available for other, sub-lethal threat categories. We found that constellations in the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters, the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of California, and Southeast and East Asia, had the greatest level of collision threat. We also identified 39 sites where peaks in shipping activity coincided with peak seasonal occurrences of whale sharks, sometimes across several months. Simulated collision mitigation options estimated potentially minimal impact to industry, as most whale shark core habitat areas were small. Given the threat posed by vessel collisions, a coordinated, multi-national approach to mitigation is needed within priority whale shark habitats to ensure collision protection for the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freya C Womersley
- Marine Biological Association, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, UK; Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, Somerset, UK; Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | | | | | - Pedro Afonso
- Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores, 9900-140 Horta, Portugal; Institute of Marine Sciences, OKEANOS, University of the Azores, 9900-140 Horta, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | - Peter Barnes
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, WA Government, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jesse E M Cochran
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - William Driggers
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, USA
| | - Christine L Dudgeon
- Biopixel Oceans Foundation, Australia; University of Sunshine Coast, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Petrie, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Anna Flam
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL 33411, USA
| | - Jorge Fontes
- Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores, 9900-140 Horta, Portugal; Institute of Marine Sciences, OKEANOS, University of the Azores, 9900-140 Horta, Portugal
| | - Gemma Francis
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, WA Government, Australia
| | | | | | - Sofia M Green
- Galápagos Whale Shark Project, USA; Galápagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Diego de Robles sn y Pampite, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | | | - Hector M Guzman
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama; MigraMar, 2099 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
| | - Royale S Hardenstine
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Jessica Harvey-Carroll
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, Maldives; Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18A, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Alex R Hearn
- Galápagos Whale Shark Project, USA; Galápagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Diego de Robles sn y Pampite, Quito, Ecuador; MigraMar, 2099 Westshore Rd, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
| | - Jill M Hendon
- The University of Southern Mississippi, Center for Fisheries Research and Development, Ocean Springs, MS, USA
| | | | | | - Eric Hoffmayer
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, USA
| | | | - Hua Hsun Hsu
- Coastal and Offshore Resources Research Center, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | - Baraka Kuguru
- Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Bruno C L Macena
- Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores, 9900-140 Horta, Portugal; Institute of Marine Sciences, OKEANOS, University of the Azores, 9900-140 Horta, Portugal
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mark Meekan
- Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Brad Norman
- ECOCEAN Inc., Australia; Murdoch University, Australia
| | - Cameron Perry
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, Maldives; Georgia Aquarium, USA; Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
| | - Simon Pierce
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL 33411, USA; University of Sunshine Coast, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, Petrie, QLD, Australia
| | - Clare Prebble
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL 33411, USA
| | | | - Holly Raudino
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, WA Government, Australia
| | | | - David Robinson
- Qatar Whale Shark Research Project, Doha, Qatar; Sundive Research, NSW, Australia
| | - David Rowat
- Marine Conservation Society Seychelles, Seychelles
| | | | | | | | - Sian Tian See
- Borneo Marine Research Institute, University Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
| | | | - Conrad W Speed
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Julian A Tyne
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, WA Government, Australia
| | - Kelly Waples
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions, WA Government, Australia
| | - Chloe Winn
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, Maldives
| | | | | | - Gonzalo Araujo
- Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, Somerset, UK; Environmental Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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4
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Nijman V. Illegal Trade in Protected Sharks: The Case of Artisanal Whale Shark Meat Fisheries in Java, Indonesia. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2656. [PMID: 37627447 PMCID: PMC10451966 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, including that of sharks, poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and individual species. I use data from the media, tourists, and artisan fishermen to gain insight into the trade in the world's largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). I focus on the Indonesian island of Java where, along its south coast, whale sharks are landed and butchered on the beach in view of hundreds of people and local media. Whale sharks are typically caught in fishing nets and dragged alongside boats to the shallows, where they are butchered. The meat and oil (valued at ~USD 2000 per shark) are sold and distributed within the community. I document 58 landings of mainly immature whale sharks (2002-2022). Artisanal fishermen see the landing of whale sharks as a fortuitous event, but the species is protected, and Indonesia is a signatory to various international agreements that preclude the fishing of whale sharks. It is imperative for the conservation of whale sharks that the various parties in Indonesia adhere better to their own rules and regulations protecting this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Nijman
- Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, School of Law and Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
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5
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Koger B, Deshpande A, Kerby JT, Graving JM, Costelloe BR, Couzin ID. Quantifying the movement, behaviour and environmental context of group-living animals using drones and computer vision. J Anim Ecol 2023. [PMID: 36945122 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Methods for collecting animal behaviour data in natural environments, such as direct observation and biologging, are typically limited in spatiotemporal resolution, the number of animals that can be observed and information about animals' social and physical environments. Video imagery can capture rich information about animals and their environments, but image-based approaches are often impractical due to the challenges of processing large and complex multi-image datasets and transforming resulting data, such as animals' locations, into geographical coordinates. We demonstrate a new system for studying behaviour in the wild that uses drone-recorded videos and computer vision approaches to automatically track the location and body posture of free-roaming animals in georeferenced coordinates with high spatiotemporal resolution embedded in contemporaneous 3D landscape models of the surrounding area. We provide two worked examples in which we apply this approach to videos of gelada monkeys and multiple species of group-living African ungulates. We demonstrate how to track multiple animals simultaneously, classify individuals by species and age-sex class, estimate individuals' body postures (poses) and extract environmental features, including topography of the landscape and animal trails. By quantifying animal movement and posture while reconstructing a detailed 3D model of the landscape, our approach opens the door to studying the sensory ecology and decision-making of animals within their natural physical and social environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Koger
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Adwait Deshpande
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jeffrey T Kerby
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Neukom Institute for Computational Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
- Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob M Graving
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Advanced Research Technology Unit, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Blair R Costelloe
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Iain D Couzin
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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6
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Green SM, Hearn A, Green JR. Species associated with whale sharks Rhincodontypus (Orectolobiformes, Rhincodontidae) in the Galapagos Archipelago. Biodivers Data J 2023; 11:e97864. [PMID: 38327377 PMCID: PMC10848626 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.11.e97864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Whale sharks Rhincodontypus frequently appear to interact or associate with other species, which vary depending on the community structure and the demographic of the whale sharks at each location globally. Here, we present the species sighted frequently around whale sharks in the Galapagos Archipelago and reported by dive guides and scientists and also in earlier publications. These associated species include cetacean species: bottlenose dolphins Tursiopstruncatus, other shark species: silky sharks Carcharhinusfalciformis, Galapagos sharks Carcharhinusgalapagensis, scalloped hammerhead sharks Sphyrnalewini, tiger sharks Galeocerdocuvier and teleost fish species: remoras Remora remora, yellowfin tuna Thunnusalbacares, almaco jacks Seriolarivoliana and black jacks Caranxlugubris. The recording of interspecies associations and interactions may lead to better understanding of the natural history of whale sharks and can show important symbiotic relationships or interdependence between different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia M Green
- Galapagos Whale Shark Project, Puerto Ayora, EcuadorGalapagos Whale Shark ProjectPuerto AyoraEcuador
| | - Alex Hearn
- Galapagos Whale Shark Project, Puerto Ayora, EcuadorGalapagos Whale Shark ProjectPuerto AyoraEcuador
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, EcuadorUniversidad San Francisco de QuitoQuitoEcuador
| | - Jonathan R Green
- Galapagos Whale Shark Project, Puerto Ayora, EcuadorGalapagos Whale Shark ProjectPuerto AyoraEcuador
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Séguigne C, Mourier J, Clua É, Buray N, Planes S. Citizen science provides valuable data to evaluate elasmobranch diversity and trends throughout the French Polynesia's shark sanctuary. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282837. [PMID: 36947523 PMCID: PMC10032523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Observers of the Polynesian Shark Observatory (ORP), a citizen science network organized mainly through the Polynesian dive centers, collected an unprecedented amount of data from more than 13,916 dives spanning 43% of the islands of French Polynesia between July 8, 2011, and April 11, 2018. The objective for this type of data collection, which is not accessible within the standard research context, was to provide a unique dataset, and the opportunity to explore the specific diversity, distribution, seasonality and abundance of many elasmobranch species spread out throughout the territory of French Polynesia. Since the data are based on random citizen observations, the spatial distribution was biased toward the most frequented sites and islands where scuba diving is most developed. Overall, the increase in observed abundance of rays and sharks observed in French Polynesia, and the three most sampled islands as well as the high specific diversity recorded for the region, provide first evidence on the effectiveness of the French Polynesia's Shark Sanctuary, established in 2006. These data, collected randomly by the volunteers, also provide insights into potential movement patterns and site fidelity of some of the more commonly observed species. While no final conclusions can be drawn, it is clear that the network of volunteers that regularly contributes information to the Polynesian Shark Observatory plays a very important role in the delivery of much needed data for conservation and management action, as well as providing perspectives for new directions in research on sharks and rays in French Polynesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Séguigne
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE BP 1013, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Johann Mourier
- Observatoire des Requins de Polynésie, Temae, Moorea, French Polynesia
- MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Sète, France
| | - Éric Clua
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE BP 1013, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Moorea, French Polynesia
- Observatoire des Requins de Polynésie, Temae, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Nicolas Buray
- Observatoire des Requins de Polynésie, Temae, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Serge Planes
- PSL Université Paris: EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE BP 1013, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", Moorea, French Polynesia
- Observatoire des Requins de Polynésie, Temae, Moorea, French Polynesia
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8
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Rogers AD, Appeltans W, Assis J, Ballance LT, Cury P, Duarte C, Favoretto F, Hynes LA, Kumagai JA, Lovelock CE, Miloslavich P, Niamir A, Obura D, O'Leary BC, Ramirez-Llodra E, Reygondeau G, Roberts C, Sadovy Y, Steeds O, Sutton T, Tittensor DP, Velarde E, Woodall L, Aburto-Oropeza O. Discovering marine biodiversity in the 21st century. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2022; 93:23-115. [PMID: 36435592 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We review the current knowledge of the biodiversity of the ocean as well as the levels of decline and threat for species and habitats. The lack of understanding of the distribution of life in the ocean is identified as a significant barrier to restoring its biodiversity and health. We explore why the science of taxonomy has failed to deliver knowledge of what species are present in the ocean, how they are distributed and how they are responding to global and regional to local anthropogenic pressures. This failure prevents nations from meeting their international commitments to conserve marine biodiversity with the results that investment in taxonomy has declined in many countries. We explore a range of new technologies and approaches for discovery of marine species and their detection and monitoring. These include: imaging methods, molecular approaches, active and passive acoustics, the use of interconnected databases and citizen science. Whilst no one method is suitable for discovering or detecting all groups of organisms many are complementary and have been combined to give a more complete picture of biodiversity in marine ecosystems. We conclude that integrated approaches represent the best way forwards for accelerating species discovery, description and biodiversity assessment. Examples of integrated taxonomic approaches are identified from terrestrial ecosystems. Such integrated taxonomic approaches require the adoption of cybertaxonomy approaches and will be boosted by new autonomous sampling platforms and development of machine-speed exchange of digital information between databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex D Rogers
- REV Ocean, Lysaker, Norway; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Ward Appeltans
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Oostende, Belgium
| | - Jorge Assis
- Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Lisa T Ballance
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States
| | | | - Carlos Duarte
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Red Sea Research Center (RSRC) and Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Fabio Favoretto
- Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Lisa A Hynes
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joy A Kumagai
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Catherine E Lovelock
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Patricia Miloslavich
- Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States; Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela & Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR), Newark, DE, United States
| | - Aidin Niamir
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Bethan C O'Leary
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom; Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Ramirez-Llodra
- REV Ocean, Lysaker, Norway; Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Reygondeau
- Yale Center for Biodiversity Movement and Global Change, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States; Nippon Foundation-Nereus Program, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Callum Roberts
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne Sadovy
- School of Biological Sciences, Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Oliver Steeds
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tracey Sutton
- Nova Southeastern University, Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Dania Beach, FL, United States
| | | | - Enriqueta Velarde
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Pesquerías, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Lucy Woodall
- Nekton Foundation, Begbroke Science Park, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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9
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Magson K, Monacella E, Scott C, Buffat N, Arunrugstichai S, Chuangcharoendee M, Pierce SJ, Holmberg J, Araujo G. Citizen science reveals the population structure and seasonal presence of whale sharks in the Gulf of Thailand. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:540-549. [PMID: 35638311 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The whale shark Rhincodon typus is a broadly distributed and highly mobile planktivorous shark species. The sharks form predictable aggregations in many areas, providing the opportunity for cost-effective scientific monitoring through divers and other marine resource users. Sightings of individuals outside of these aggregate zones elsewhere in their range are typically rare. We used a citizen science-based approach to shed light on occurrence and seasonality in the waters around Koh Tao, Thailand and neighbouring islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Although there is a paucity of quantitative data, anecdotal reports suggest substantial declines in sightings in the early 2000s. We identified a total of 178 individual whale sharks (from 249 sightings) between 2004 and 2019, with most of these (84%) from the 2015-2019 time period due to an increase in sighting reports facilitated by social media and direct marketing. Size estimates were reported for 102 of the sightings, with a range of 2-6 m and mean of 3.7 m overall. Sex was reported for 27% of sightings, with a 2:1 female-to-male ratio. Modified maximum likelihood methods suggest whale sharks are transient to Koh Tao and surrounding areas, with whale shark sightings following the regional monsoon cycle. One international resighting was obtained from Malaysian waters (~700 km away). Encouraging citizen science participation is particularly useful in data-poor regions like the Gulf of Thailand, despite limitations in size and sex estimation reliability, which can play an important complementary role in dedicated research programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Magson
- Thai Whale Sharks, Surat Thani, Thailand
- New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, Surat Thani, Thailand
- Conservation Diver, Evergreen, Colorado, USA
| | - Emily Monacella
- Thai Whale Sharks, Surat Thani, Thailand
- New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, Surat Thani, Thailand
| | - Chad Scott
- Conservation Diver, Evergreen, Colorado, USA
| | - Noémie Buffat
- Thai Whale Sharks, Surat Thani, Thailand
- New Heaven Reef Conservation Program, Surat Thani, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | | - Gonzalo Araujo
- Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, Somerset, UK
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10
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Abstract
AbstractDetermining which species are at greatest risk, where they are most vulnerable, and what are the trajectories of their communities and populations is critical for conservation and management. Globally distributed, wide-ranging whales and dolphins present a particular challenge in data collection because no single research team can record data over biologically meaningful areas. Flukebook.org is an open-source web platform that addresses these gaps by providing researchers with the latest computational tools. It integrates photo-identification algorithms with data management, sharing, and privacy infrastructure for whale and dolphin research, enabling the global collaborative study of these global species. With seven automatic identification algorithms trained for 15 different species, resulting in 37 species-specific identification pipelines, Flukebook is an extensible foundation that continually incorporates emerging AI techniques and applies them to cetacean photo identification through continued collaboration between computer vision researchers, software engineers, and biologists. With over 2.0 million photos of over 52,000 identified individual animals submitted by over 250 researchers, the platform enables a comprehensive understanding of cetacean populations, fostering international and cross-institutional collaboration while respecting data ownership and privacy. We outline the technology stack and architecture of Flukebook, its performance on real-world cetacean imagery, and its development as an example of scalable, extensible, and reusable open-source conservation software. Flukebook is a step change in our ability to conduct large-scale research on cetaceans across biologically meaningful geographic ranges, to rapidly iterate population assessments and abundance trajectories, and engage the public in actions to protect them.
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11
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Hardenstine RS, He S, Cochran JEM, Braun CD, Cagua EF, Pierce SJ, Prebble CEM, Rohner CA, Saenz‐Angudelo P, Sinclair‐Taylor TH, Skomal GB, Thorrold SR, Watts AM, Zakroff CJ, Berumen ML. Pieces in a global puzzle: Population genetics at two whale shark aggregations in the western Indian Ocean. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8492. [PMID: 35127024 PMCID: PMC8796955 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The whale shark Rhincodon typus is found throughout the world's tropical and warm-temperate ocean basins. Despite their broad physical distribution, research on the species has been concentrated at a few aggregation sites. Comparing DNA sequences from sharks at different sites can provide a demographically neutral understanding of the whale shark's global ecology. Here, we created genetic profiles for 84 whale sharks from the Saudi Arabian Red Sea and 72 individuals from the coast of Tanzania using a combination of microsatellite and mitochondrial sequences. These two sites, separated by approximately 4500 km (shortest over-water distance), exhibit markedly different population demographics and behavioral ecologies. Eleven microsatellite DNA markers revealed that the two aggregation sites have similar levels of allelic richness and appear to be derived from the same source population. We sequenced the mitochondrial control region to produce multiple global haplotype networks (based on different alignment methodologies) that were broadly similar to each other in terms of population structure but suggested different demographic histories. Data from both microsatellite and mitochondrial markers demonstrated the stability of genetic diversity within the Saudi Arabian aggregation site throughout the sampling period. These results contrast previously measured declines in diversity at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Mapping the geographic distribution of whale shark lineages provides insight into the species' connectivity and can be used to direct management efforts at both local and global scales. Similarly, understanding historical fluctuations in whale shark abundance provides a baseline by which to assess current trends. Continued development of new sequencing methods and the incorporation of genomic data could lead to considerable advances in the scientific understanding of whale shark population ecology and corresponding improvements to conservation policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Royale S. Hardenstine
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringRed Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Song He
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringRed Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Jesse E. M. Cochran
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringRed Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Camrin D. Braun
- Biology DepartmentWoods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionWoods HoleMassachusettsUSA
| | - Edgar Fernando Cagua
- School of Biological SciencesCentre for Integrative EcologyUniversity of CanterburyChristchurchNew Zealand
- WorldFishBayan LepasMalaysia
| | | | - Clare E. M. Prebble
- Marine Megafauna FoundationTruckeeCaliforniaUSA
- National Oceanography CentreUniversity of South HamptonSouth HamtonUK
| | | | - Pablo Saenz‐Angudelo
- Facultad de CienciasInstituo de Ciencias Ambientales y EvolutivasUniversidad Austral de ChileValdiviaChile
| | | | - Gregory B. Skomal
- Massachusetts Division of Marine FisheriesNew BedfordMassachusettsUSA
| | - Simon R. Thorrold
- Biology DepartmentWoods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionWoods HoleMassachusettsUSA
| | - Alexandra M. Watts
- Marine Megafauna FoundationTruckeeCaliforniaUSA
- Ecological Genetics and Conservation LaboratoryManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - Casey J. Zakroff
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringRed Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Michael L. Berumen
- Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringRed Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
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12
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Rohner CA, Venables SK, Cochran JEM, Prebble CEM, Kuguru BL, Berumen ML, Pierce SJ. The need for long-term population monitoring of the world’s largest fish. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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13
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14
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Nunes LA, Ribic CA, Zuckerberg B. Identifying mismatches between conservation area networks and vulnerable populations using spatial randomization. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16006-16020. [PMID: 34824807 PMCID: PMC8601911 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Grassland birds are among the most globally threatened bird groups due to substantial degradation of native grassland habitats. However, the current network of grassland conservation areas may not be adequate for halting population declines and biodiversity loss. Here, we evaluate a network of grassland conservation areas within Wisconsin, U.S.A., that includes both large Focal Landscapes and smaller targeted conservation areas (e.g., Grassland Bird Conservation Areas, GBCAs) established within them. To date, this conservation network has lacked baseline information to assess whether the current placement of these conservation areas aligns with population hot spots of grassland-dependent taxa. To do so, we fitted data from thousands of avian point-count surveys collected by citizen scientists as part of Wisconsin's Breeding Bird Atlas II with multinomial N-mixture models to estimate habitat-abundance relationships, develop spatially explicit predictions of abundance, and establish ecological baselines within priority conservation areas for a suite of obligate grassland songbirds. Next, we developed spatial randomization tests to evaluate the placement of this conservation network relative to randomly placed conservation networks. Overall, less than 20% of species statewide populations were found within the current grassland conservation network. Spatial tests demonstrated a high representation of this bird assemblage within the entire conservation network, but with a bias toward birds associated with moderately tallgrasses relative to those associated with shortgrasses or tallgrasses. We also found that GBCAs had higher representation at Focal Landscape rather than statewide scales. Here, we demonstrated how combining citizen science data with hierarchical modeling is a powerful tool for estimating ecological baselines and conducting large-scale evaluations of an existing conservation network for multiple grassland birds. Our flexible spatial randomization approach offers the potential to be applied to other protected area networks and serves as a complementary tool for conservation planning efforts globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Nunes
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin ‐ MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Christine A. Ribic
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research UnitUniversity of WisconsinMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | - Benjamin Zuckerberg
- Department of Forest and Wildlife EcologyUniversity of Wisconsin ‐ MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
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15
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Andrzejaczek S, Vély M, Jouannet D, Rowat D, Fossette S. Regional movements of satellite-tagged whale sharks Rhincodon typus in the Gulf of Aden. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:4920-4934. [PMID: 33976859 PMCID: PMC8093710 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
To gain insight into whale shark (Rhincodon typus) movement patterns in the Western Indian Ocean, we deployed eight pop-up satellite tags at an aggregation site in the Arta Bay region of the Gulf of Tadjoura, Djibouti in the winter months of 2012, 2016, and 2017. Tags revealed movements ranging from local-scale around the Djibouti aggregation site, regional movements along the coastline of Somaliland, movements north into the Red Sea, and a large-scale (>1,000 km) movement to the east coast of Somalia, outside of the Gulf of Aden. Vertical movement data revealed high occupation of the top ten meters of the water column, diel vertical movement patterns, and deep diving behavior. Long-distance movements recorded both here and in previous studies suggest that connectivity between the whale sharks tagged at the Djibouti aggregation and other documented aggregations in the region are likely within annual timeframes. In addition, wide-ranging movements through multiple nations, as well as the high use of surface waters recorded, likely exposes whale sharks in this region to several anthropogenic threats, including targeted and bycatch fisheries and ship-strikes. Area-based management approaches focusing on seasonal hotspots offer a way forward in the conservation of whale sharks in the Western Indian Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - David Rowat
- Marine Conservation Society SeychellesMaheSeychelles
| | - Sabrina Fossette
- MegapteraParisFrance
- Biodiversity and Conservation ScienceDepartment of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsKensingtonWAAustralia
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16
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Harvey-Carroll J, Stewart JD, Carroll D, Mohamed B, Shameel I, Zareer IH, Araujo G, Rees R. The impact of injury on apparent survival of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) in South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, Maldives. Sci Rep 2021; 11:937. [PMID: 33441580 PMCID: PMC7806644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered species with a declining global population. The South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), Maldives, is one of few locations globally where year-long residency of individuals occurs. This SAMPA aggregation appears to consist almost exclusively of immature males. Due to its year-round residency, this local aggregation is subjected to a high degree of tourism pressure. This ecotourism contributes to the high level of interest and protection offered to whale sharks by the local community. Unfortunately, if regulations are not followed or enforced, tourism can bring with it major stressors, such as accidental injuries. We used POPAN capture-mark-recapture models and lagged identification rate analysis to assess the effect of major injuries on whale shark residency within SAMPA. Injuries may be obtained outside SAMPA. We found individuals with major injuries had a higher apparent survival in the area than those without. Lagged identification rates also demonstrated that sharks with major injuries are more likely to return to the area. We suggest that major injuries result in sharks prolonging their time in the developmental habitat. These findings have implications for individual fitness and the population viability of this endangered species. We propose targeted conservation strategies be considered to protect sharks from further injury. Based on the presented spatio-temporal distributions of sharks, and current local knowledge of sighting patterns, speed limit zones and propeller-exclusion zones should be implemented and enforced. If carried out alongside tourist education, these measures will contribute to the protection of whale sharks within SAMPA and beyond. Furthermore, our results can aid research direction, alongside regulation and enforcement development, at similar sites worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Harvey-Carroll
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives ,grid.11914.3c0000 0001 0721 1626School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - Daire Carroll
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives ,grid.43641.340000 0001 1014 6626The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK ,grid.7372.10000 0000 8809 1613The University of Warwick, School of Life Science, Coventry, UK
| | - Basith Mohamed
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives
| | - Ibrahim Shameel
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives
| | | | - Gonzalo Araujo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, 6308 Jagna, Bohol Philippines
| | - Richard Rees
- Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), South Ari Atoll, Maldives
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17
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Callaghan CT, Poore AGB, Mesaglio T, Moles AT, Nakagawa S, Roberts C, Rowley JJL, VergÉs A, Wilshire JH, Cornwell WK. Three Frontiers for the Future of Biodiversity Research Using Citizen Science Data. Bioscience 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCitizen science is fundamentally shifting the future of biodiversity research. But although citizen science observations are contributing an increasingly large proportion of biodiversity data, they only feature in a relatively small percentage of research papers on biodiversity. We provide our perspective on three frontiers of citizen science research, areas that we feel to date have had minimal scientific exploration but that we believe deserve greater attention as they present substantial opportunities for the future of biodiversity research: sampling the undersampled, capitalizing on citizen science's unique ability to sample poorly sampled taxa and regions of the world, reducing taxonomic and spatial biases in global biodiversity data sets; estimating abundance and density in space and time, develop techniques to derive taxon-specific densities from presence or absence and presence-only data; and capitalizing on secondary data collection, moving beyond data on the occurrence of single species and gain further understanding of ecological interactions among species or habitats. The contribution of citizen science to understanding the important biodiversity questions of our time should be more fully realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey T Callaghan
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
- Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, also at the University of New South Wales
| | - Alistair G B Poore
- Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, also at the University of New South Wales
| | - Thomas Mesaglio
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Angela T Moles
- Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, also at the University of New South Wales
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, also at the University of New South Wales
| | - Christopher Roberts
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - Jodi J L Rowley
- Australian Museum Research Institute, part of the Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adriana VergÉs
- Ecology and Evolution Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, also at the University of New South Wales
| | - John H Wilshire
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
| | - William K Cornwell
- Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
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18
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Cade DE, Levenson JJ, Cooper R, de la Parra R, Webb DH, Dove ADM. Whale sharks increase swimming effort while filter feeding, but appear to maintain high foraging efficiencies. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb224402. [PMID: 32366692 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.224402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) - the largest extant fish species - reside in tropical environments, making them an exception to the general rule that animal size increases with latitude. How this largest fish thrives in tropical environments that promote high metabolism but support less robust zooplankton communities has not been sufficiently explained. We used open-source inertial measurement units (IMU) to log 397 h of whale shark behavior in Yucatán, Mexico, at a site of both active feeding and intense wildlife tourism. Here we show that the strategies employed by whale sharks to compensate for the increased drag of an open mouth are similar to ram feeders five orders of magnitude smaller and one order of magnitude larger. Presumed feeding constituted 20% of the total time budget of four sharks, with individual feeding bouts lasting up to 11 consecutive hours. Compared with normal, sub-surface swimming, three sharks increased their stroke rate and amplitude while surface feeding, while one shark that fed at depth did not demonstrate a greatly increased energetic cost. Additionally, based on time-depth budgets, we estimate that aerial surveys of shark populations should consider including a correction factor of 3 to account for the proportion of daylight hours that sharks are not visible at the surface. With foraging bouts generally lasting several hours, interruptions to foraging during critical feeding periods may represent substantial energetic costs to these endangered species, and this study presents baseline data from which management decisions affecting tourist interactions with whale sharks may be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Cade
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 120 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - J Jacob Levenson
- US Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240, USA
| | - Robert Cooper
- Oceans Forward, 17 Hamilton St, Plymouth, MA 02360, USA
| | | | - D Harry Webb
- Research and Conservation Department, Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
| | - Alistair D M Dove
- Research and Conservation Department, Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St, Atlanta, GA 30313, USA
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19
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Araujo G, Ismail AR, McCann C, McCann D, Legaspi CG, Snow S, Labaja J, Manjaji-Matsumoto M, Ponzo A. Getting the most out of citizen science for endangered species such as whale shark. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 96:864-867. [PMID: 31919845 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Araujo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Tejero, Jagna, Philippines
- Endangered Marine Species Research Unit, Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | | | - Cat McCann
- Scuba Junkie SEAS, 91308, Semporna, Malaysia
| | | | - Christine G Legaspi
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Tejero, Jagna, Philippines
| | - Sally Snow
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Tejero, Jagna, Philippines
| | - Jessica Labaja
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Tejero, Jagna, Philippines
| | - Mabel Manjaji-Matsumoto
- Endangered Marine Species Research Unit, Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Alessandro Ponzo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Tejero, Jagna, Philippines
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20
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Bargnesi F, Lucrezi S, Ferretti F. Opportunities from citizen science for shark conservation, with a focus on the Mediterranean Sea. EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2019.1709574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Bargnesi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences (Di.S.V.A.), Polytechnic University of Marche, UO CoNISMa, Ancona, Italy
- Cattolica Aquarium, Cattolica (RN), Italy
| | - S. Lucrezi
- TREES - Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - F. Ferretti
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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21
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Araujo G, Legaspi CGM, Ferber S, Murray R, Burdett K, Grundy S, Labaja J, Snow S, Yaptinchay A, Ponzo A. In-water methods reveal population dynamics of a green turtle Chelonia mydas foraging aggregation in the Philippines. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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22
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Araujo G, Agustines A, Tracey B, Snow S, Labaja J, Ponzo A. Photo-ID and telemetry highlight a global whale shark hotspot in Palawan, Philippines. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17209. [PMID: 31748588 PMCID: PMC6868279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53718-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Philippines is home to the second largest known population of whale sharks in the world. The species is listed as endangered due to continued population declines in the Indo-Pacific. Knowledge about the connectivity within Southeast Asia remains poor, and thus international management is difficult. Here, we employed pop-up archival tags, data mining and dedicated effort to understand an aggregation of whale sharks at Honda Bay, Palawan, Philippines, and its role in the species' conservation. Between Apr and Oct 2018, we conducted 159 surveys identifying 117 individual whale sharks through their unique spot patterns (96.5% male, mean 4.5 m). A further 66 individual whale sharks were identified from local operators, and data mined on social media platforms. The satellite telemetry data showed that the whale sharks moved broadly, with one individual moving to Sabah, Malaysia, before returning to the site <1 year later. Similarly, another tagged whale shark returned to the site at a similar periodicity after reaching the Malay-Filipino border. One individual whale shark first identified in East Kalimantan, Indonesia by a citizen scientist was resighted in Honda Bay ~3.5 years later. Honda Bay is a globally important site for the endangered whale shark with connectivity to two neighbouring countries, highlighting the need for international cooperation to manage the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Araujo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, Jagna, 6308, Bohol, Philippines.
| | - Ariana Agustines
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, Jagna, 6308, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Brian Tracey
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, Jagna, 6308, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Sally Snow
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, Jagna, 6308, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Jessica Labaja
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, Jagna, 6308, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Alessandro Ponzo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Cagulada Compound, Jagna, 6308, Bohol, Philippines
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23
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Cochran JEM, Braun CD, Cagua EF, Campbell MF, Hardenstine RS, Kattan A, Priest MA, Sinclair-Taylor TH, Skomal GB, Sultan S, Sun L, Thorrold SR, Berumen ML. Multi-method assessment of whale shark (Rhincodon typus) residency, distribution, and dispersal behavior at an aggregation site in the Red Sea. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222285. [PMID: 31498848 PMCID: PMC6733483 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are typically dispersed throughout their circumtropical range, but the species is also known to aggregate in specific coastal areas. Accurate site descriptions associated with these aggregations are essential for the conservation of R. typus, an Endangered species. Although aggregations have become valuable hubs for research, most site descriptions rely heavily on sightings data. In the present study, visual census, passive acoustic monitoring, and long range satellite telemetry were combined to track the movements of R. typus from Shib Habil, a reef-associated aggregation site in the Red Sea. An array of 63 receiver stations was used to record the presence of 84 acoustically tagged sharks (35 females, 37 males, 12 undetermined) from April 2010 to May 2016. Over the same period, identification photos were taken for 76 of these tagged individuals and 38 were fitted with satellite transmitters. In total of 37,461 acoustic detections, 210 visual encounters, and 33 satellite tracks were analyzed to describe the sharks’ movement ecology. The results demonstrate that the aggregation is seasonal, mostly concentrated on the exposed side of Shib Habil, and seems to attract sharks of both sexes in roughly equal numbers. The combined methodologies also tracked 15 interannual homing-migrations, demonstrating that many sharks leave the area before returning in later years. When compared to acoustic studies from other aggregations, these results demonstrate that R. typus exhibits diverse, site-specific ecologies across its range. Sightings-independent data from acoustic telemetry and other sources are an effective means of validating more common visual surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse E. M. Cochran
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail:
| | - Camrin D. Braun
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology–Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - E. Fernando Cagua
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Michael F. Campbell
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Royale S. Hardenstine
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Alexander Kattan
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mark A. Priest
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tane H. Sinclair-Taylor
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Gregory B. Skomal
- Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, New Bedford, MA, United States of America
| | - Sahar Sultan
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Lu Sun
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Key Laboratory of Science and Engineering for Marine Ecology and Environment, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao, China
| | - Simon R. Thorrold
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Araujo G, Rohner CA, Labaja J, Conales SJ, Snow SJ, Murray R, Pierce SJ, Ponzo A. Satellite tracking of juvenile whale sharks in the Sulu and Bohol Seas, Philippines. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5231. [PMID: 30065862 PMCID: PMC6063259 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The whale shark Rhincodon typus was uplisted to ‘Endangered’ in the 2016 IUCN Red List due to >50% population decline, largely caused by continued exploitation in the Indo-Pacific. Though the Philippines protected the whale shark in 1998, concerns remain due to continued take in regional waters. In light of this, understanding the movements of whale sharks in the Philippines, one of the most important hotspots for the species, is vital. We tagged 17 juvenile whale sharks with towed SPOT5 tags from three general areas in the Sulu and Bohol Seas: Panaon Island in Southern Leyte, northern Mindanao, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP). The sharks all remained in Philippine waters for the duration of tracking (6–126 days, mean 64). Individuals travelled 86–2,580 km (mean 887 km) at a mean horizontal speed of 15.5 ± 13.0 SD km day−1. Whale sharks tagged in Panaon Island and Mindanao remained close to shore but still spent significant time off the shelf (>200 m). Sharks tagged at TRNP spent most of their time offshore in the Sulu Sea. Three of twelve whale sharks tagged in the Bohol Sea moved through to the Sulu Sea, whilst two others moved east through the Surigao Strait to the eastern coast of Leyte. One individual tagged at TRNP moved to northern Palawan, and subsequently to the eastern coast of Mindanao in the Pacific Ocean. Based on inferred relationships with temperature histograms, whale sharks performed most deep dives (>200 m) during the night, in contrast to results from whale sharks elsewhere. While all sharks stayed in national waters, our results highlight the high mobility of juvenile whale sharks and demonstrate their connectivity across the Sulu and Bohol Seas, highlighting the importance of the area for this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Araujo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | | | - Jessica Labaja
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Segundo J Conales
- Tubbataha Management Office, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines
| | - Sally J Snow
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Ryan Murray
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
| | - Simon J Pierce
- Marine Megafauna Foundation, Truckee, CA, United States of America
| | - Alessandro Ponzo
- Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Jagna, Bohol, Philippines
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25
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Diamant S, Rohner CA, Kiszka JJ, Guillemain d’Echon A, Guillemain d’Echon T, Sourisseau E, Pierce SJ. Movements and habitat use of satellite-tagged whale sharks off western Madagascar. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2018. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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26
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Rohner CA, Richardson AJ, Jaine FRA, Bennett MB, Weeks SJ, Cliff G, Robinson DP, Reeve-Arnold KE, Pierce SJ. Satellite tagging highlights the importance of productive Mozambican coastal waters to the ecology and conservation of whale sharks. PeerJ 2018; 6:e4161. [PMID: 29312815 PMCID: PMC5755488 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The whale shark Rhincodon typus is an endangered, highly migratory species with a wide, albeit patchy, distribution through tropical oceans. Ten aerial survey flights along the southern Mozambican coast, conducted between 2004–2008, documented a relatively high density of whale sharks along a 200 km stretch of the Inhambane Province, with a pronounced hotspot adjacent to Praia do Tofo. To examine the residency and movement of whale sharks in coastal areas around Praia do Tofo, where they may be more susceptible to gill net entanglement, we tagged 15 juveniles with SPOT5 satellite tags and tracked them for 2–88 days (mean = 27 days) as they dispersed from this area. Sharks travelled between 10 and 2,737 km (mean = 738 km) at a mean horizontal speed of 28 ± 17.1 SD km day−1. While several individuals left shelf waters and travelled across international boundaries, most sharks stayed in Mozambican coastal waters over the tracking period. We tested for whale shark habitat preferences, using sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration and water depth as variables, by computing 100 random model tracks for each real shark based on their empirical movement characteristics. Whale sharks spent significantly more time in cooler, shallower water with higher chlorophyll-a concentrations than model sharks, suggesting that feeding in productive coastal waters is an important driver of their movements. To investigate what this coastal habitat choice means for their conservation in Mozambique, we mapped gill nets during two dedicated aerial surveys along the Inhambane coast and counted gill nets in 1,323 boat-based surveys near Praia do Tofo. Our results show that, while whale sharks are capable of long-distance oceanic movements, they can spend a disproportionate amount of time in specific areas, such as along the southern Mozambique coast. The increasing use of drifting gill nets in this coastal hotspot for whale sharks is likely to be a threat to regional populations of this iconic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph A Rohner
- Manta Ray & Whale Shark Research Centre, Marine Megafauna Foundation, Praia do Tofo, Mozambique
| | - Anthony J Richardson
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia.,Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics (CARM), School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Fabrice R A Jaine
- Manta Ray & Whale Shark Research Centre, Marine Megafauna Foundation, Praia do Tofo, Mozambique.,Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael B Bennett
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Scarla J Weeks
- Biophysical Oceanography Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Geremy Cliff
- Kwa-Zulu Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga, KZN, South Africa.,Biomedical Resource Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KZN, South Africa
| | | | | | - Simon J Pierce
- Manta Ray & Whale Shark Research Centre, Marine Megafauna Foundation, Praia do Tofo, Mozambique
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