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Frappi S, Klein SG, Arossa S, Bervoets T, Ciocanaru IA, Dixon OFL, Gallagher AJ, Hardenstine R, den Haring SD, Kalampokis A, Rodrigue M, Shipley ON, Silva L, Steckbauer A, Williams C, Williams I, Jones B, Pieribone V, Qurban MA, Duarte CM. An integrated multi-source dataset of elasmobranchs in the Red Sea following the Red Sea Decade Expedition. Sci Data 2024; 11:1425. [PMID: 39715738 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-04262-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 12/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Red Sea elasmobranch populations are facing alarming declines. Effective conservation efforts require management strategies informed by extensive datasets and by developing an understanding of distribution patterns within the basin, which is currently lacking. This study introduces CERSE (Central and Eastern Red Sea Elasmobranchs), a comprehensive compilation of elasmobranch observations in the central and eastern Red Sea basin following the route of the Red Sea Decade Expedition. The data set was curated from surveys conducted during two scientific cruises, a time-series survey within Red Sea Global project areas (Tabuk province), and observations extracted from peer-reviewed literature. Through the use of diverse methodologies, we provide a holistic view of elasmobranchs distribution in the region, for a total of 2,847 sightings recorded. By consolidating dispersed information from across the region, this dataset forms a comprehensive foundation for future research and monitoring endeavors focused on elasmobranch fauna, and will serve as a cornerstone for informing targeted conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding endangered elasmobranch species in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Frappi
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Shannon G Klein
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Ioana-Andreea Ciocanaru
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Royale Hardenstine
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Red Sea Global, Red Sea Global-Department of Environmental Protection and Regeneration, AlRaidah Digital City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sander D den Haring
- Red Sea Global, Destination Development, AlRaidah Digital City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alkiviadis Kalampokis
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Oliver N Shipley
- Beneath The Waves, Boston, MA, USA
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, 11794, USA
| | - Luis Silva
- Red Sea Global, Red Sea Global-Department of Environmental Protection and Regeneration, AlRaidah Digital City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alexandra Steckbauer
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Collin Williams
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ivor Williams
- Red Sea Global, Red Sea Global-Department of Environmental Protection and Regeneration, AlRaidah Digital City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Burton Jones
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Carlos M Duarte
- Marine Science Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Mateos-Molina D, Bejarano I, Pittman SJ, Möller M, Antonopoulou M, Jabado RW. Coastal lagoons in the United Arab Emirates serve as critical habitats for globally threatened marine megafauna. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116117. [PMID: 38364638 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116117] [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: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Shallow coastal lagoons are vital ecosystems for many aquatic species and understanding their biodiversity is essential. Very little is known about the distribution and abundance of globally threatened marine megafauna in coastal lagoons of the Arabian Gulf. This study combined underwater and aerial surveys to investigate the distributions and relative abundance of marine megafauna in a large lagoon. We identified 13 species of megafauna including sea turtles, sharks, and rays. Eleven of these are globally threatened according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Critically Endangered Halavi guitarfish (Glaucostegus halavi), and the Endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas) were the most frequently occurring species. Results demonstrate the value of combining aerial and underwater video surveys to obtain spatially comprehensive data on marine megafauna in shallow coastal lagoons. This new information emphasises the importance of Umm Al Quwain lagoon for biodiversity conservation to protect threatened marine species and their habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mateos-Molina
- Emirates Nature in association with World Wildlife Fund (Emirates Nature - WWF), P.O. Box 454891, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, PO Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Simon J Pittman
- Oxford Seascape Ecology Lab, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
| | - Mona Möller
- Emirates Nature in association with World Wildlife Fund (Emirates Nature - WWF), P.O. Box 454891, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Marina Antonopoulou
- Emirates Nature in association with World Wildlife Fund (Emirates Nature - WWF), P.O. Box 454891, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rima W Jabado
- Elasmo Project, P.O. Box 29588, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Williams CT, Garzon F, Cochran JEM, Tanabe LK, Hawkes LA, McIvor AJ, Eweida AA, Marshall PA, Berumen ML. Low diversity and abundance of predatory fishes in a peripheral coral reef ecosystem. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10920. [PMID: 38343570 PMCID: PMC10857893 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Semi-enclosed seas are often associated with elevated local threats and distinct biogeographic patterns among marine fishes, but our understanding of how fish assemblage dynamics vary in relation to relatively small semi-enclosed seas (e.g., the Gulf of Aqaba) remains limited. Baited remote underwater video surveys (n = 111) were conducted across ~300 km of coral reef habitats in the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea. A total of 55 predatory fish species were detected, with less than half of all species (n = 23) observed in both basins. Relative abundance patterns between the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea were variable among taxa, but nearly twice as many predatory fish were observed per unit of effort in the northern Red Sea. In general, assemblages in both basins were dominated by three taxa (Epinephelinae, Carangidae, and Lethrinidae). Large-bodied and threatened species were recorded at very low abundances. Multivariate analysis revealed distinct assemblage structuring of coral reef predators between the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea. Most of the species driving these differences were recorded in both basins, but occurred at varying levels of abundance. Environmental factors were largely unsuccessful in explaining variation in assemblage structuring. These findings indicate that biological assemblages in the Gulf of Aqaba are more distinct than previously reported and that reef fish assemblage structuring can occur even within a relatively small semi-enclosed sea. Despite inter-basin assemblage structuring, the overall low abundance of vulnerable fish species is suggestive of overexploitation in both the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern Red Sea of Saudi Arabia. As the region surveyed is currently undergoing large-scale coastal development, the results presented herein aim to guide spatial management and recovery plans for these coral reef systems in relation to this development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin T. Williams
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Francesco Garzon
- Hatherly LaboratoriesUniversity of Exeter, Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesExeterUK
| | - Jesse E. M. Cochran
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Lyndsey K. Tanabe
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Lucy A. Hawkes
- Hatherly LaboratoriesUniversity of Exeter, Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Life SciencesExeterUK
| | - Ashlie J. McIvor
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
- MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET‐Aquatic Research NetworkRegional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI)FunchalMadeiraPortugal
| | | | - Paul A. Marshall
- NEOM Nature ReserveNEOMRiyadhSaudi Arabia
- James Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Michael L. Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and EngineeringKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
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