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Leonetti FL, Bottaro M, Giglio G, Sperone E. Studying Chondrichthyans Using Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1875. [PMID: 38997987 PMCID: PMC11240523 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131875] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cartilaginous fish face significant threats due to overfishing and slow reproductive rates, leading to rapid declines in their populations globally. Traditional capture-based surveys, while valuable for gathering ecological information, pose risks to the health and survival of these species. Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) offer a non-invasive alternative, allowing for standardized surveys across various habitats with minimal disturbance to marine life. This study presents a comprehensive review of BRUVS applications in studying cartilaginous fish, examining 81 peer-reviewed papers spanning from 1990 to 2023. The analysis reveals a significant increase in BRUVS usage over the past three decades, particularly in Australia, South Africa, and Central America. The most common BRUVS configurations include benthic setups, mono-camera systems, and the use of fish from the Clupeidae and Scombridae families as bait. BRUVS have been instrumental in studying 195 chondrichthyan species, providing insights into up to thirteen different aspects of the life histories. Moreover, BRUVS facilitate the monitoring of endangered and data-deficient species, contributing crucial data for conservation efforts. Overall, this study underscores the value of BRUVS as a powerful tool for studying and conserving cartilaginous fish populations worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Massimiliano Bottaro
- Genoa Marine Centre, Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Italian National Institute for Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gianni Giglio
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Emilio Sperone
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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2
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Zanghi C, Penry-Williams IL, Genner MJ, Deacon AE, Ioannou CC. Multiple environmental stressors affect predation pressure in a tropical freshwater system. Commun Biol 2024; 7:663. [PMID: 38811776 PMCID: PMC11137014 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06364-6] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental change can alter predator-prey dynamics. However, studying predators in the context of co-occurring environmental stressors remains rare, especially under field conditions. Using in situ filming, we examined how multiple stressors, including temperature and turbidity, impact the distribution and behaviour of wild fish predators of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). The measured environmental variables accounted for 17.6% of variance in predator species composition. While predator species differed in their associations with environmental variables, the overall prevalence of predators was greatest in slow flowing, deeper, warmer and less turbid habitats. Moreover, these warmer and less turbid habitats were associated with earlier visits to the prey stimulus by predators, and more frequent predator visits and attacks. Our findings highlight the need to consider ecological complexity, such as co-occurring stressors, to better understand how environmental change affects predator-prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Zanghi
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - Iestyn L Penry-Williams
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Martin J Genner
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Amy E Deacon
- The University of The West Indies, Department of Life Sciences, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Christos C Ioannou
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
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3
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Nieder C, Gibbs BJ, Rapson J, McLay J, Montgomery JC, Radford CA. Comparison of acoustic particle acceleration detection capabilities in three shark species. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245995. [PMID: 37665253 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245995] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Behavioural studies have shown that sharks are capable of directional orientation to sound. However, only one previous experiment addresses the physiological mechanisms of directional hearing in sharks. Here, we used a directional shaker table in combination with the auditory evoked potential (AEP) technique to understand the broadscale directional hearing capabilities in the New Zealand carpet shark (Cephaloscyllium isabellum), rig shark (Mustelus lenticulatus) and school shark (Galeorhinus galeus). The aim of this experiment was to test if sharks are more sensitive to vertical (z-axis) or head-to-tail (x-axis) accelerations, and whether there are any differences between species. Our results support previous findings, suggesting that shark ears can receive sounds from all directions. Acceleration detection bandwidth was narrowest for the carpet shark (40-200 Hz), and broader for rig and school sharks (40-800 Hz). Greatest sensitivity bands were 40-80 Hz for the carpet shark, 100-200 Hz for the rig and 80-100 Hz for the school shark. Our results indicate that there may be differences in directional hearing abilities among sharks. The bottom-dwelling carpet shark was equally sensitive to vertical and head-to-tail particle accelerations. In contrast, both benthopelagic rig and school sharks appeared to be more sensitive to vertical accelerations at frequencies up to 200 Hz. This is the first study to provide physiological evidence that sharks may differ in their directional hearing and sound localisation abilities. Further comparative physiological and behavioural studies in more species with different lifestyles, habitats and feeding strategies are needed to further explore the drivers for increased sensitivity to vertical accelerations among elasmobranchs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Nieder
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Research Laboratory, 160 Goat Island Road, Leigh, Auckland 0985, New Zealand
| | - Brendan J Gibbs
- The University of Florida, Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, 9505 N Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080, USA
| | - Jimmy Rapson
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Research Laboratory, 160 Goat Island Road, Leigh, Auckland 0985, New Zealand
| | - Jessica McLay
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, 38 Princes Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - John C Montgomery
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Research Laboratory, 160 Goat Island Road, Leigh, Auckland 0985, New Zealand
| | - Craig A Radford
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Research Laboratory, 160 Goat Island Road, Leigh, Auckland 0985, New Zealand
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Grainger R, Raoult V, Peddemors VM, Machovsky-Capuska GE, Gaston TF, Raubenheimer D. Integrating isotopic and nutritional niches reveals multiple dimensions of individual diet specialisation in a marine apex predator. J Anim Ecol 2023; 92:514-534. [PMID: 36421071 PMCID: PMC10107186 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Dietary specialisations are important determinants of ecological structure, particularly in species with high per-capita trophic influence like marine apex predators. These species are, however, among the most challenging in which to establish spatiotemporally integrated diets. We introduce a novel integration of stable isotopes with a multidimensional nutritional niche framework that addresses the challenges of establishing spatiotemporally integrated nutritional niches in wild populations, and apply the framework to explore individual diet specialisation in a marine apex predator, the white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Sequential tooth files were sampled from juvenile white sharks to establish individual isotopic (δ-space; δ13 C, δ15 N, δ34 S) niche specialisation. Bayesian mixing models were then used to reveal individual-level prey (p-space) specialisation, and further combined with nutritional geometry models to quantify the nutritional (N-space) dimensions of individual specialisation, and their relationships to prey use. Isotopic and mixing model analyses indicated juvenile white sharks as individual specialists within a broader, generalist, population niche. Individual sharks differed in their consumption of several important mesopredator species, which suggested among-individual variance in trophic roles in either pelagic or benthic food webs. However, variation in nutrient intakes was small and not consistently correlated with differences in prey use, suggesting white sharks as nutritional specialists and that individuals could use functionally and nutritionally different prey as complementary means to achieve a common nutritional goal. We identify how degrees of individual specialisation can differ between niche spaces (δ-, p- or N-space), the physiological and ecological implications of this, and argue that integrating nutrition can provide stronger, mechanistic links between diet specialisation and its intrinsic (fitness/performance) and extrinsic (ecological) outcomes. Our time-integrated framework is adaptable for examining the nutritional consequences and drivers of food use variation at the individual, population or species level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Grainger
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vincent Raoult
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Victor M Peddemors
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gabriel E Machovsky-Capuska
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Nutri Lens, East Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Troy F Gaston
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Raubenheimer
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Pettersen AK, Marzinelli EM, Steinberg PD, Coleman MA. Impact of marine protected areas on temporal stability of fish species diversity. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2022; 36:e13815. [PMID: 34342040 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13815] [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: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Preserving biodiversity over time is a pressing challenge for conservation science. A key goal of marine protected areas (MPAs) is to maintain stability in species composition, via reduced turnover, to support ecosystem function. Yet, this stability is rarely measured directly under different levels of protection. Rather, evaluations of MPA efficacy generally consist of static measures of abundance, species richness, and biomass, and rare measures of turnover are limited to short-term studies involving pairwise (beta diversity) comparisons. Zeta diversity is a recently developed metric of turnover that allows for measurement of compositional similarity across multiple assemblages and thus provides more comprehensive estimates of turnover. We evaluated the effectiveness of MPAs at preserving fish zeta diversity across a network of marine reserves over 10 years in Batemans Marine Park, Australia. Snorkel transect surveys were conducted across multiple replicated and spatially interspersed sites to record fish species occurrence through time. Protection provided by MPAs conferred greater stability in fish species turnover. Marine protected areas had significantly shallower decline in zeta diversity compared with partially protected and unprotected areas. The retention of harvested species was four to six times greater in MPAs compared with partially protected and unprotected areas, and the stabilizing effects of protection were observable within 4 years of park implementation. Conversely, partial protection offered little to no improvement in stability, compared with unprotected areas. These findings support the efficacy of MPAs for preserving temporal fish diversity stability. The implementation of MPAs helps stabilize fish diversity and may, therefore, support biodiversity resilience under ongoing environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Pettersen
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ezequiel M Marzinelli
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter D Steinberg
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melinda A Coleman
- Marine Ecosystem Research, Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales Fisheries, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
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Nyce JD, Koh WY, Wurth KS, Sulikowski JA. A Preliminary Qualitative Study of Baited Remote Underwater Video Surveys (BRUVS) on Fish Assemblage in the Coastal Waters of Maine. Northeast Nat (Steuben) 2022. [DOI: 10.1656/045.029.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine D. Nyce
- School of Marine and Environmental Programs, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005
| | - Woon Yuen Koh
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005
| | - Kristen S. Wurth
- School of Marine and Environmental Programs, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005
| | - James A. Sulikowski
- School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ 85306
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Drivers of variation in occurrence, abundance, and behaviour of sharks on coral reefs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:728. [PMID: 35031666 PMCID: PMC8760336 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantifying the drivers of population size in reef sharks is critical for the development of appropriate conservation strategies. In north-west Australia, shark populations inhabit coral reefs that border growing centres of human population, industry, and tourism. However, we lack baseline data on reef sharks at large spatial scales (hundreds of km) that might enable managers to assess the status of shark populations in the face of future development in this region. Here, we examined the occurrence, abundance and behaviour of apex (Galeocerdo cuvier, Carcharhinus plumbeus) and reef (C. amblyrhynchos, C. melanopterus, Triaenodon obesus) sharks using > 1200 deployments of baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) across > 500 km of coastline. We found evidence for species-specific influences of habitat and fishing activities on the occurrence (probability of observation), abundance (MaxN) and behaviour of sharks (time of arrival to the stereo-BRUVs and likelihood of feeding). Although the presence of management zoning (No-take areas) made little difference to most species, C. amblyrhynchos were more common further from boat ramps (a proxy of recreational fishing pressure). Time of arrival for all species was also influenced by distance to boat ramp, although patterns varied among species. Our results demonstrate the capacity for behavioural metrics to complement existing measures of occurrence and abundance in assessing the potential impact of human activities on shark populations.
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Lester EK, Langlois TJ, McCormick MI, Simpson SD, Bond T, Meekan MG. Relative influence of predators, competitors and seascape heterogeneity on behaviour and abundance of coral reef mesopredators. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily K. Lester
- School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Inst., Univ. of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
- Australian Inst. of Marine Science, UWA Oceans Inst. Crawley WA Australia
| | - Tim J. Langlois
- School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Inst., Univ. of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | - Mark I. McCormick
- Coastal Marine Field Station, School of Science, Univ of Waikato Tauranga New Zealand
| | | | - Todd Bond
- School of Biological Sciences and the UWA Oceans Inst., Univ. of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
| | - Mark G. Meekan
- Australian Inst. of Marine Science, UWA Oceans Inst. Crawley WA Australia
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Eisele MH, Madrigal-Mora S, Espinoza M. Drivers of reef fish assemblages in an upwelling region from the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 98:1074-1090. [PMID: 33274754 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Reef fish assemblages are exposed to a wide range of anthropogenic threats as well as chronic natural disturbances. In upwelling regions, for example, there is a seasonal influx of cool nutrient-rich waters that may shape the structure and composition of reef fish assemblages. Given that climate change may disrupt the natural oceanographic processes by altering the frequency and strength of natural disturbances, understanding how fish assemblages respond to upwelling events is essential to effectively manage reef ecosystems under changing ocean conditions. This study used the baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) and the traditional underwater visual census (UVC) to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of reef fish assemblages in an upwelling region in the North Pacific of Costa Rica. A total of 183 reef fish species from 60 families were recorded, of which 166 species were detected using BRUVS and 122 using UVC. Only 66% of all species were detected using both methods. This study showed that the upwelling had an important role in shaping reef fish assemblages in this region, but there was also a significant interaction between upwelling and location. In addition, other drivers such as habitat complexity and habitat composition had an effect on reef fish abundances and species. To authors' knowledge, this is the first study in the Eastern Tropical Pacific that combines BRUVS and UVC to monitor reef fish assemblages in an upwelling region, which provides more detailed information to assess the state of reef ecosystems in response to multiple threats and changing ocean conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius H Eisele
- Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sergio Madrigal-Mora
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Mario Espinoza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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Jorgensen SJ, Micheli F, White TD, Van Houtan KS, Alfaro-Shigueto J, Andrzejaczek S, Arnoldi NS, Baum JK, Block B, Britten GL, Butner C, Caballero S, Cardeñosa D, Chapple TK, Clarke S, Cortés E, Dulvy NK, Fowler S, Gallagher AJ, Gilman E, Godley BJ, Graham RT, Hammerschlag N, Harry AV, Heithaus M, Hutchinson M, Huveneers C, Lowe CG, Lucifora LO, MacKeracher T, Mangel JC, Barbosa Martins AP, McCauley DJ, McClenachan L, Mull C, Natanson LJ, Pauly D, Pazmiño DA, Pistevos JCA, Queiroz N, Roff G, Shea BD, Simpfendorfer CA, Sims DW, Ward-Paige C, Worm B, Ferretti F. Emergent research and priorities for shark and ray conservation. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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