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Blackburn DG, Hughes DF. Phylogenetic analysis of viviparity, matrotrophy, and other reproductive patterns in chondrichthyan fishes. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1314-1356. [PMID: 38562006 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The reproductive diversity of extant cartilaginous fishes (class Chondrichthyes) is extraordinarily broad, reflecting more than 400 million years of evolutionary history. Among their many notable reproductive specialisations are viviparity (live-bearing reproduction) and matrotrophy (maternal provision of nutrients during gestation). However, attempts to understand the evolution of these traits have yielded highly discrepant conclusions. Here, we compile and analyse the current knowledge on the evolution of reproductive diversity in Chondrichthyes with particular foci on the frequency, phylogenetic distribution, and directionality of evolutionary changes in their modes of reproduction. To characterise the evolutionary transformations, we amassed the largest empirical data set of reproductive parameters to date covering nearly 800 extant species and analysed it via a comprehensive molecular-based phylogeny. Our phylogenetic reconstructions indicated that the ancestral pattern for Chondrichthyes is 'short single oviparity' (as found in extant holocephalans) in which females lay successive clutches (broods) of one or two eggs. Viviparity has originated at least 12 times, with 10 origins among sharks, one in batoids, and (based on published evidence) another potential origin in a fossil holocephalan. Substantial matrotrophy has evolved at least six times, including one origin of placentotrophy, three separate origins of oophagy (egg ingestion), and two origins of histotrophy (uptake of uterine secretions). In two clades, placentation was replaced by histotrophy. Unlike past reconstructions, our analysis reveals no evidence that viviparity has ever reverted to oviparity in this group. Both viviparity and matrotrophy have arisen by a variety of evolutionary sequences. In addition, the ancestral pattern of oviparity has given rise to three distinct egg-laying patterns that increased clutch (brood) size and/or involved deposition of eggs at advanced stages of development. Geologically, the ancestral oviparous pattern arose in the Paleozoic. Most origins of viviparity and matrotrophy date to the Mesozoic, while a few that are represented at low taxonomic levels are of Cenozoic origin. Coupled with other recent work, this review points the way towards an emerging consensus on reproductive evolution in chondrichthyans while offering a basis for future functional and evolutionary analyses. This review also contributes to conservation efforts by highlighting taxa whose reproductive specialisations reflect distinctive evolutionary trajectories and that deserve special protection and further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackburn
- Department of Biology & Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, 300 Summit St, Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, USA
| | - Daniel F Hughes
- Department of Biology, Coe College, 1220 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402, USA
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Finucci B, Chin C, O'Neill HL, White WT, Pinkerton MH. First observation of a skate egg case nursery in the Ross Sea. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:1645-1650. [PMID: 38402691 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Areas of importance to Southern Ocean skates are poorly defined. Here, we identify a deepwater skate egg case nursery in a discrete location at ~460 m depth off Cape Adare in the Southern Ocean. This is the first confirmed observation of a skate nursery area in the Ross Sea and only the second observation for the Southern Ocean. The morphology and size of the egg cases were consistent with the genus Bathyraja and most likely belong to the Bathyraja sp. (cf. eatonii). The nursery occurs within the "no take" General Protection Zone of the Ross Sea region marine protected area, where commercial fishing is prohibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Finucci
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Caroline Chin
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Helen L O'Neill
- CSIRO National Research Collections Australia-Australian National Fish Collection, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - William T White
- CSIRO National Research Collections Australia-Australian National Fish Collection, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Matthew H Pinkerton
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Wellington, New Zealand
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Maguire K, O'Neill H, Althaus F, White W, Williams A. Seamount coral reefs are egg case nurseries for deep-sea skates. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:1455-1469. [PMID: 36960821 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15376] [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: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Egg case nurseries of the boreal skate (Amblyraja hyperborea) and Richardson's skate (Bathyraja richardsoni) were defined and mapped on a bathyal seascape (c. 500-1900 m depths) south of Tasmania, Australia, using 99 towed-camera transects (157 linear km; N = 50,858 images). In total, 738 skate egg cases were observed (present in 240 images, absent in 50,618); among 113 egg cases examined to identify parent species, 70% were A. hyperborea, 10% B. richardsoni and 20% unidentified Bathyraja species. "Recently laid" egg cases were differentiated from "aged" ones by classifying their colour and condition. The great majority (98%) of egg cases were observed in c. 1100-1400 m depths on seamounts (15 of 36 surveyed), not seamount bases or adjacent continental slope. Egg cases were associated with reefs formed by accumulated skeletal matrix of the stony coral Solenosmilia variabilis, with >90% egg cases (including most of those recently laid) observed on living S. variabilis that characterises a "coral zone" in c. 950-1350 m depths. Water in the coral zone is warmer (+0.66 to 2.37°C) than at the deep distributional limits of adult A. hyperborea and B. richardsoni (2000 and 3000 m, respectively), potentially providing for accelerated embryonic development. Co-occurrence with living coral infers an energetically favourable local-scale hydrodynamic environment for egg cases, particularly on seamount peaks, where increased water flow over egg cases would avert smothering by suspended sediment, and compensate for lower oxygen concentration compared to deeper depths occupied by adult skates. Criteria identifying egg case nurseries are strongly met for A. hyperborea at Seamount Z110 (468 egg cases of varied ages, maximum density of 5.47 m-2 ) and to a lesser extent on five others (Seamounts K1, Z16, Hill U, Z5 and Hill V). An abundance (density) criterion for defining nurseries needs to be flexible because it is a spatially scale-dependent measure that differs between surveys according to the tools and design employed. Off Australia, coral reef egg case nursery habitat is restricted to a narrow depth range in temperate latitudes where it is scarce and impacted by historical bottom trawl fishing in many locations. There has been effective conservation of nursery habitat, however, because four of the six nursery sites identified here and extensive coral reef areas are protected within marine parks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Maguire
- CSIRO Environment, Battery Point, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Helen O'Neill
- CSIRO NCMI, Battery Point, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | | | - William White
- CSIRO NCMI, Battery Point, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Alan Williams
- CSIRO Environment, Battery Point, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Mallik A, Chakraborty P, Bhushan S, Nayak BB. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on aquatic environment and fishing community: Boon or bane? MARINE POLICY 2022; 141:105088. [PMID: 35529170 PMCID: PMC9068432 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic is a serious threat for mankind having an extensive socio-economic impact. However, it is considered as an unfortunate event with some positive environmental effects where nature is retrieving itself. The water quality index in different places of the world was reported to be improved during the lockdown, which in turn whipped up the regenerative process of fishes, sea turtles, marine mammals, and aquatic birds. Additionally, ecologically sensitive areas such as mangroves and coral reefs were also seen rejuvenating during COVID-19 seal off. But these favourable implications are temporary as there is an unexpected surge in plastic waste generation in the form of PPE kits, face masks, gloves, and other healthcare equipment. Moreover, the outbreak of the pandemic resulted in the complete closure of fishing activities, decline in fish catch, market disruption, and change in consumer preference. To address these multidimensional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, government organizations, NGOs, and other concerned authorities should extend their support to amplify the positive impacts of the lockdown and reduce the subsequent pollution level while encouraging the fisheries sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Mallik
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
| | - Puja Chakraborty
- Aquaculture Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
| | - Shashi Bhushan
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
| | - Binaya Bhusan Nayak
- Fishery Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, India
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Phillips ND, Garbett A, Wise D, Loca SL, Daly O, Eagling LE, Houghton JDR, Verhoog P, Thorburn J, Collins PC. Evidence of egg-laying grounds for critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) off Orkney, UK. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:1492-1496. [PMID: 34076895 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Essential fish habitats (EFHs) are critical for fish life-history events, including spawning, breeding, feeding or growth. This study provides evidence of EFHs for the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) in the waters around the Orkney Isles, Scotland, based on citizen-science observation data. The habitats of potential egg-laying sites were parametrised as >20 m depth, with boulders or exposed bedrock, in moderate current flow (0.3-2.8 knots) with low sedimentation. This information provides a significant contribution to the understanding of EFHs for flapper skate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha D Phillips
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML), Portaferry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Amy Garbett
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML), Portaferry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | - Sophie L Loca
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML), Portaferry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Olivia Daly
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML), Portaferry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Lawrence E Eagling
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML), Portaferry, Northern Ireland, UK
| | | | | | | | - Patrick C Collins
- Queen's University Marine Laboratory (QML), Portaferry, Northern Ireland, UK
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Biological and Ecological Aspects of the Blackmouth Catshark (Galeus melastomus Rafinesque, 1810) in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9090967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Data on the biology and ecology of Galeus melastomus are old/absent for the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, despite there being numerous studies in the wider area. A total of 127 specimens of G. melastomus from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, collected in 2018–2019 using trawling nets, were analyzed to investigate size at sexual maturity, sex ratio, length–weight relationships, and feeding habits. To our best knowledge, this is the first time in which all these features were investigated in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea for G. melastomus. The stomach content analysis showed that G. melastomus had intermediate feeding habits, preying on a great variety of species, especially Cephalopoda, Osteichthyes, and Crustacea. The Levin’s index value (Bi) was 0.53. Sex ratio was 0.92:1, with females slightly more abundant and bigger than males. The results also showed a decrease (33.7 cm for females, 31.1 cm for males) in length at 50% maturity (L50). This could be a result of anthropogenic stressors, such as overfishing and/or and environmental changes, which can induce physiological responses in several species. Our results highlighted the differences related to sexual maturity, growth, and feeding habits of the blackmouth catshark in the studied area, providing reference data to allow comparison with future studies on this species adaptations to this and other deep-sea areas in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Abstract
Seamounts are one of the major biomes of the global ocean. The last 25 years of research has seen considerable advances in the understanding of these ecosystems. The interactions between seamounts and steady and variable flows have now been characterised providing a better mechanistic understanding of processes influencing biology. Processes leading to upwelling, including Taylor column formation and tidal rectification, have now been defined as well as those leading to draw down of organic matter from the ocean surface to seamount summit and flanks. There is also an improved understanding of the interactions between seamounts, zooplankton and micronekton communities especially with respect to increased predation pressure in the vicinity of seamounts. Evidence has accumulated of the role of seamounts as hot spots for ocean predators including large pelagic fish, sharks, pinnipeds, cetaceans and seabirds. The complexity of benthic communities associated with seamounts is high and drivers of biodiversity are now being resolved. Claims of high endemism resulting from isolation of seamounts as islands of habitat and speciation have not been supported. However, for species characterised by low dispersal capability, such as some groups of benthic sessile or low-mobility invertebrates, low connectivity between seamount populations has been found with evidence of endemism at a local level. Threats to seamounts have increased in the last 25 years and include overfishing, destructive fishing, marine litter, direct and indirect impacts of climate change and potentially marine mining in the near future. Issues around these threats and their management are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex D Rogers
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Climate change impacts on the biota and on vulnerable habitats of the deep Mediterranean Sea. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-018-0725-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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De Clippele LH, Huvenne VAI, Orejas C, Lundälv T, Fox A, Hennige SJ, Roberts JM. The effect of local hydrodynamics on the spatial extent and morphology of cold-water coral habitats at Tisler Reef, Norway. CORAL REEFS (ONLINE) 2017; 37:253-266. [PMID: 31258386 PMCID: PMC6566294 DOI: 10.1007/s00338-017-1653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This study demonstrates how cold-water coral morphology and habitat distribution are shaped by local hydrodynamics, using high-definition video from Tisler Reef, an inshore reef in Norway. A total of 334 video frames collected on the north-west (NW) and south-east (SE) side of the reef were investigated for Lophelia pertusa coral cover and morphology and for the cover of the associated sponges Mycale lingua and Geodia sp. Our results showed that the SE side was a better habitat for L. pertusa (including live and dead colonies). Low cover of Geodia sp. was found on both sides of Tisler Reef. In contrast, Mycale lingua had higher percentage cover, especially on the NW side of the reef. Bush-shaped colonies of L. pertusa with elongated branches were the most abundant coral morphology on Tisler Reef. The highest abundance and density of this morphology were found on the SE side of the reef, while a higher proportion of cauliflower-shaped corals with short branches were found on the NW side. The proportion of very small L. pertusa colonies was also significantly higher on the SE side of the reef. The patterns in coral spatial distribution and morphology were related to local hydrodynamics-there were more frequent periods of downwelling currents on the SE side-and to the availability of suitable settling substrates. These factors make the SE region of Tisler Reef more suitable for coral growth. Understanding the impact of local hydrodynamics on the spatial extent and morphology of coral, and their relation to associated organisms such as sponges, is key to understanding the past and future development of the reef.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. H. De Clippele
- School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS UK
| | - V. A. I. Huvenne
- Marine Geoscience, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH UK
| | - C. Orejas
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, 07015 Palma, Mallorca Spain
| | - T. Lundälv
- The Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - A. Fox
- School of Geosciences, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE UK
| | - S. J. Hennige
- School of Geosciences, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE UK
| | - J. M. Roberts
- School of Geosciences, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE UK
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