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Whitehead DA, Gayford JH, Pancaldi F, Gobbato J, Boldrin G, Tringali M, Ketchum JT, Magaña FG, Seveso D, Montano S. Heavy metal and trace element concentrations in the blood of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) from La Paz Bay, México. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 201:116155. [PMID: 38401387 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Sharks are particularly susceptible to bioaccumulation due to their life history characteristics and trophic position within marine ecosystems. Despite this, studies of bioaccumulation cover only a small proportion of extant species. In this study we report concentrations of trace elements and heavy metals in blood samples of Sphyrna lewini for the first time. We report high concentrations of several trace elements and heavy metals, with concentrations of some elements exceeding the limit determined safe for human consumption. High elemental concentrations may reflect biochemical differences between blood plasma and other tissues; however, they may also be symptomatic of high levels of exposure triggered by anthropogenic activities. We also provide evidence of elemental accumulation through ontogeny, the nature of which differs from that previously reported. Ultimately, this baseline study increases our understanding of interspecific and intraspecific variation in bioaccumulation and ecotoxicology in elasmobranchs which may prove important in ensuring adequate management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren A Whitehead
- Investigación Tiburones Mexico A.C, Mexico; Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, 23096 La Paz, Mexico.
| | - Joel H Gayford
- Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park Campus, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; Shark Measurements, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Pancaldi
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, 23096 La Paz, Mexico
| | - Jacopo Gobbato
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll 12030, Maldives
| | - Giulia Boldrin
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Tringali
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., 23060 La Paz, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico; MigraMar, Bodega Bay, CA, United States of America
| | - Felipe Galvan Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, 23096 La Paz, Mexico
| | - Davide Seveso
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll 12030, Maldives
| | - Simone Montano
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll 12030, Maldives
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2
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Le Croizier G, Lorrain A, Hoyos-Padilla M, Ketchum JT, Amezcua-Martínez F, Le Loc'h F, Munaron JM, Schaal G, Point D. Do marine protected areas influence mercury exposure? Insights from a shark community in the tropical Northeast Pacific. Environ Pollut 2023; 336:122352. [PMID: 37562525 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Biomass depletion caused by overfishing is likely to alter the structure of food webs and impact mercury transfer to marine predators. Although marine protected areas (MPAs) are spared from fishing pressure, their influence on biota mercury levels is poorly understood. Here, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions as well as mercury concentrations in fin clips to characterize foraging habitat and mercury exposure of a shark community composed of migratory and resident species of the Revillagigedo archipelago, an offshore MPA in the Northeast Pacific off Mexico. We found that the probability of finding migratory sharks in the isotopic niche of Revillagigedo-resident sharks was low, likely reflecting the use of habitats outside the archipelago by highly mobile species. Community-wide variations in mercury were primarily explained by shark length, revealing that bioaccumulation was the main driver of Hg concentrations. We failed to detect a clear effect of foraging habitat on shark mercury exposure, which may be related to migratory species using both exploited and protected areas when moving outside the Revillagigedo MPA. More similar studies on the potential mitigation of Hg contamination by MPAs are needed in the future if fishing pressure increases to satisfy the growing global human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Le Croizier
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Joel Montes Camarena S/N, Mazatlán, Sin, 82040, Mexico.
| | - Anne Lorrain
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C, Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, C.P. 23070, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico; Fins Attached: Marine Research and Conservation, 19675 Still Glen Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80908, USA
| | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios-Kakunjá A.C, Sinaloa 1540, Col. Las Garzas, C.P. 23070, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico; MigraMar, Bodega Bay, CA, USA; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
| | - Felipe Amezcua-Martínez
- Instituto de Ciencias Del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Joel Montes Camarena S/N, Mazatlán, Sin, 82040, Mexico
| | | | | | - Gauthier Schaal
- Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280, Plouzané, France
| | - David Point
- UMR Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Observatoire Midi Pyrénées (OMP), 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
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3
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Gayford JH, Whitehead DA, Ketchum JT, Field DJ. The selective drivers of allometry in sharks (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii). Zool J Linn Soc 2023. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
In addition to the selective importance of interspecific morphological variation, ontogenetic morphological variation may reflect different selective regimes to which successive developmental stages are subjected. The typical body form of carcharhiniform sharks is considered relatively conserved, yet sharks exhibit a wide range of body sizes and shapes, representing adaptations to distinct ecological niches. Previous investigations of ontogenetic shifts in shark body form have provided evidence for both isometric and allometric changes, depending on the morphological characters and species investigated. These findings have led to suggestions of a relationship between body size and allometric growth in sharks. In this study we present evidence of ontogenetic allometric shifts in two species of carcharhiniform sharks (Sphyrna lewini and Rhizoprionodon longurio) from novel measurements. Our results are generally consistent with previous suggestions of body form conservatism across shark phylogeny, yet also suggest potential selective factors underlying observed instances of ontogenetic allometric shifts, and highlight where additional studies are required. We propose the ‘allometric niche shift’ hypothesis for interspecific differences in scaling trends, suggesting that long-distance movements and ontogenetic trophic niche shifts represent key drivers of allometry in sharks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darren A Whitehead
- Investigación Tiburones México A.C. , 23010, La Paz , Mexico
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas , La Paz , Mexico
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C. , 23070 La Paz , Mexico
| | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C. , 23070 La Paz , Mexico
- MigraMar , Bodega Bay, California , USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Noroeste (CIBNOR) , La Paz, BCS , Mexico
| | - Daniel J Field
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge , UK
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge , UK
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4
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Devloo‐Delva F, Burridge CP, Kyne PM, Brunnschweiler JM, Chapman DD, Charvet P, Chen X, Cliff G, Daly R, Drymon JM, Espinoza M, Fernando D, Barcia LG, Glaus K, González‐Garza BI, Grant MI, Gunasekera RM, Hernandez S, Hyodo S, Jabado RW, Jaquemet S, Johnson G, Ketchum JT, Magalon H, Marthick JR, Mollen FH, Mona S, Naylor GJP, Nevill JEG, Phillips NM, Pillans RD, Postaire BD, Smoothey AF, Tachihara K, Tillet BJ, Valerio‐Vargas JA, Feutry P. From rivers to ocean basins: The role of ocean barriers and philopatry in the genetic structuring of a cosmopolitan coastal predator. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9837. [PMID: 36844667 PMCID: PMC9944188 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) faces varying levels of exploitation around the world due to its coastal distribution. Information regarding population connectivity is crucial to evaluate its conservation status and local fishing impacts. In this study, we sampled 922 putative Bull Sharks from 19 locations in the first global assessment of population structure of this cosmopolitan species. Using a recently developed DNA-capture approach (DArTcap), samples were genotyped for 3400 nuclear markers. Additionally, full mitochondrial genomes of 384 Indo-Pacific samples were sequenced. Reproductive isolation was found between and across ocean basins (eastern Pacific, western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, Indo-West Pacific) with distinct island populations in Japan and Fiji. Bull Sharks appear to maintain gene flow using shallow coastal waters as dispersal corridors, whereas large oceanic distances and historical land-bridges act as barriers. Females tend to return to the same area for reproduction, making them more susceptible to local threats and an important focus for management actions. Given these behaviors, the exploitation of Bull Sharks from insular populations, such as Japan and Fiji, may instigate local decline that cannot readily be replenished by immigration, which can in turn affect ecosystem dynamics and functions. These data also supported the development of a genetic panel to ascertain the population of origin, which will be useful in monitoring the trade of fisheries products and assessing population-level impacts of this harvest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriaan Devloo‐Delva
- Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIROHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Quantitative Marine Science, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Christopher P. Burridge
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Natural SciencesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Peter M. Kyne
- Research Institute for the Environment and LivelihoodsCharles Darwin UniversityDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | | | - Demian D. Chapman
- Department of Biological SciencesFlorida International UniversityNorth MiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Patricia Charvet
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Sistemática, Uso e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Federal do Ceará (PPGSis ‐ UFC)FortalezaBrazil
| | - Xiao Chen
- College of Veterinary MedicineSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Geremy Cliff
- KwaZulu‐Natal Sharks Board, Umhlanga 4320, South Africa and School of Life SciencesUniversity of KwaZulu‐NatalDurbanSouth Africa
| | - Ryan Daly
- Oceanographic Research Institute, South African Association for Marine Biological Research, PointDurbanSouth Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic BiodiversityMkhandaSouth Africa
| | - J. Marcus Drymon
- Coastal Research and Extension CenterMississippi State UniversityBiloxiMississippiUSA
- Mississippi‐Alabama Sea Grant ConsortiumOcean SpringsMississippiUSA
| | - Mario Espinoza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología & Escuela de BiologíaUniversidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de OcaSan JoséCosta Rica
| | | | - Laura Garcia Barcia
- Department of Biological SciencesFlorida International UniversityNorth MiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Kerstin Glaus
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment, School of Marine StudiesThe University of the South PacificSuvaFiji
| | | | - Michael I. Grant
- College of Science and Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and AquacultureJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | | | - Sebastian Hernandez
- Biomolecular Laboratory, Center for International ProgramsUniversidad VERITASSan JoséCosta Rica
- Sala de Colecciones, Facultad de Ciencias del MarUniversidad Católica del NorteCoquimboChile
| | - Susumu Hyodo
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research InstituteUniversity of TokyoKashiwa, ChibaJapan
| | - Rima W. Jabado
- College of Science and Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and AquacultureJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Elasmo ProjectDubaiUnited Arab Emirates
| | - Sébastien Jaquemet
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, Université de Nouvelle‐Calédonie, IRD, CNRS, IFREMER), Faculté des Sciences et TechnologiesUniversité de La RéunionCedex 09, La RéunionFrance
| | - Grant Johnson
- Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Aquatic Resource Research UnitDarwinNorthern TerritoryAustralia
| | | | - Hélène Magalon
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, Université de Nouvelle‐Calédonie, IRD, CNRS, IFREMER), Faculté des Sciences et TechnologiesUniversité de La RéunionCedex 09, La RéunionFrance
| | - James R. Marthick
- Menzies Institute for Medical ResearchUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | | | - Stefano Mona
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB (UMR 7205), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHEUniversité des AntillesParisFrance
- EPHEPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Gavin J. P. Naylor
- Florida Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | | | - Nicole M. Phillips
- School of Biological, Environmental and Earth SciencesThe University of Southern MississippiHattiesburgMississippiUSA
| | | | - Bautisse D. Postaire
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, Université de Nouvelle‐Calédonie, IRD, CNRS, IFREMER), Faculté des Sciences et TechnologiesUniversité de La RéunionCedex 09, La RéunionFrance
| | - Amy F. Smoothey
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries ResearchSydney Institute of Marine ScienceMosmanNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Katsunori Tachihara
- Laboratory of Fisheries Biology and Coral Reef Studies, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of Ryukyus, NishiharaOkinawaJapan
| | - Bree J. Tillet
- Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland Diamantina InstituteBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jorge A. Valerio‐Vargas
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología & Escuela de BiologíaUniversidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de OcaSan JoséCosta Rica
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5
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Rodriguez-Arana Favela JP, Hernández S, González-Armas R, Galván-Magaña F, Tripp-Valdez A, Hoyos-Padilla M, Ketchum JT. A priority nursery area for the conservation of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini in Mexico. J Fish Biol 2022; 101:1623-1627. [PMID: 36208114 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study describes the genetic diversity and level of genetic differentiation of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini from eight putative nursery areas in the Mexican Pacific Ocean, using the mtDNA control region. Genetic analyses revealed a particular spatial divergence between La Reforma and all the remaining sites, with five exclusive haplotypes and the highest genetic diversity. This pattern may be interpreted as the signature of regional female philopatry, relatively to a particular female-mediated gene flow for La Reforma, which shows a strong subdivision in the Gulf of California.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P Rodriguez-Arana Favela
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
- Pelagios Kakunja A.C., La Paz, Mexico
| | - Sebastián Hernández
- Biomolecular Laboratory, Center for International Programs and Sustainability Studies, Universidad Veritas, San José, Costa Rica
- Sala de Colecciones, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Rogelio González-Armas
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Arturo Tripp-Valdez
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | | | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunja A.C., La Paz, Mexico
- MigraMar, Bodega Bay, California, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Mexico
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6
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Cambra M, Lara-Lizardi F, Peñaherrera-Palma C, Hearn A, Ketchum JT, Zarate P, Chacón C, Suárez-Moncada J, Herrera E, Espinoza M. A first assessment of the distribution and abundance of large pelagic species at Cocos Ridge seamounts (Eastern Tropical Pacific) using drifting pelagic baited remote cameras. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244343. [PMID: 34793440 PMCID: PMC8601560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the link between seamounts and large pelagic species (LPS) may provide important insights for the conservation of these species in open water ecosystems. The seamounts along the Cocos Ridge in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) ocean are thought to be ecologically important aggregation sites for LPS when moving between Cocos Island (Costa Rica) and Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). However, to date, research efforts to quantify the abundance and distribution patterns of LPS beyond the borders of these two oceanic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been limited. This study used drifting-pelagic baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to investigate the distribution and relative abundance of LPS at Cocos Ridge seamounts. Our drifting-pelagic BRUVS recorded a total of 21 species including elasmobranchs, small and large teleosts, dolphins and one sea turtle; of which four species are currently threatened. Depth of seamount summit was the most significant driver for LPS richness and abundance which were significantly higher at shallow seamounts (< 400 m) compared to deeper ones (> 400m). Distance to nearest MPA was also a significant predictor for LPS abundance, which increased at increasing distances from the nearest MPA. Our results suggest that the Cocos Ridge seamounts, specifically Paramount and West Cocos which had the highest LPS richness and abundance, are important aggregation sites for LPS in the ETP. However, further research is still needed to demonstrate a positive association between LPS and Cocos Ridge seamounts. Our findings showed that drifting pelagic BRUVS are an effective tool to survey LPS in fully pelagic ecosystems of the ETP. This study represents the first step towards the standardization of this technique throughout the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cambra
- Programa de Posgrado en Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Frida Lara-Lizardi
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | | | - Alex Hearn
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - James T. Ketchum
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste-CIBNOR, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Patricia Zarate
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- División de Investigación Pesquera, Instituto de Fomento Pesquero, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Carlos Chacón
- Fundación Pacífico, Sabana Norte, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | | | - Mario Espinoza
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
- MigraMar, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Olema, California, United States of America
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, San José, Costa Rica
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7
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Ayres KA, Ketchum JT, González-Armas R, Galván-Magaña F, Hearn A, Elorriaga-Verplancken FR, Hoyos-Padilla EM, Kajiura SM. The use of an unoccupied aerial vehicle to survey shark species over sand and rocky-reef habitats in a marine protected area. J Fish Biol 2021; 99:1735-1740. [PMID: 34180053 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cabo Pulmo National Park was established in 1995 and has since seen a large increase in fish biomass. An unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV) was used to survey shallow coastal habitat in which lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris), bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) and Pacific nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma unami) were recorded. Sharks were more common in the afternoon, potentially using warmer shallow areas to behaviourally thermoregulate. This study highlights UAV surveying to be a viable tool for species identification, a limitation of previous terrestrial surveys conducted in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A Ayres
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Mexico
| | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Mexico
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Mexico
- MigraMa, Olema, California, USA
| | - Rogelio González-Armas
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Alex Hearn
- MigraMa, Olema, California, USA
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Edgar M Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Mexico
- MigraMa, Olema, California, USA
- Fins Attached: Marine Research and Conservation, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
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8
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Aquino‐Baleytó M, Leos‐Barajas V, Adam T, Hoyos‐Padilla M, Santana‐Morales O, Galván‐Magaña F, González‐Armas R, Lowe CG, Ketchum JT, Villalobos H. Diving deeper into the underlying white shark behaviors at Guadalupe Island, Mexico. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:14932-14949. [PMID: 34765151 PMCID: PMC8571628 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fine-scale movement patterns are driven by both biotic (hunting, physiological needs) and abiotic (environmental conditions) factors. The energy balance governs all movement-related strategic decisions.Marine environments can be better understood by considering the vertical component. From 24 acoustic trackings of 10 white sharks in Guadalupe Island, this study linked, for the first time, horizontal and vertical movement data and inferred six different behavioral states along with movement states, through the use of hidden Markov models, which allowed to draw a comprehensive picture of white shark behavior.Traveling was the most frequent state of behavior for white sharks, carried out mainly at night and twilight. In contrast, area-restricted searching was the least used, occurring primarily in daylight hours.Time of day, distance to shore, total shark length, and, to a lesser extent, tide phase affected behavioral states. Chumming activity reversed, in the short term and in a nonpermanent way, the behavioral pattern to a general diel vertical pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Aquino‐Baleytó
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias MarinasLa PazMexico
| | | | - Timo Adam
- University of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | | | | | - Felipe Galván‐Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias MarinasLa PazMexico
| | - Rogelio González‐Armas
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias MarinasLa PazMexico
| | - Christopher G. Lowe
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University Long BeachLong BeachCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Héctor Villalobos
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias MarinasLa PazMexico
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9
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Whitehead DA, Magaña FG, Ketchum JT, Hoyos EM, Armas RG, Pancaldi F, Olivier D. The use of machine learning to detect foraging behaviour in whale sharks: a new tool in conservation. J Fish Biol 2021; 98:865-869. [PMID: 33058201 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study we present the first attempt at modelling the feeding behaviour of whale sharks using a machine learning analytical method. A total of eight sharks were monitored with tri-axial accelerometers and their foraging behaviours were visually observed. Our results highlight that the random forest model is a valid and robust approach to predict the feeding behaviour of the whale shark. In conclusion this novel approach exposes the practicality of this method to serve as a conservation tool and the capability it offers in monitoring potential disturbances of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren A Whitehead
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Mexico
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Felipe G Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | | | | | - Rogelio G Armas
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Francesca Pancaldi
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Mexico
| | - Damien Olivier
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Mexico
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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10
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Ketchum JT, Hoyos-Padilla M, Aldana-Moreno A, Ayres K, Galván-Magaña F, Hearn A, Lara-Lizardi F, Muntaner-López G, Grau M, Trejo-Ramírez A, Whitehead DA, Klimley AP. Shark movement patterns in the Mexican Pacific: A conservation and management perspective. Adv Mar Biol 2020; 85:1-37. [PMID: 32456839 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Marine animal tracking has become one of the major tools used to understand the behavior and ecology of a multitude of species in the ocean, thus there is an increasing body of knowledge about this subject worldwide, particularly for sharks. Nevertheless, little was known of the movement patterns of shark in the Mexican Pacific (MXP) and Gulf of California (GOC), except for the pioneering work carried out in the 1980s on the movements of scalloped hammerhead sharks in El Bajo Espiritu Santo and other islands in the region, as well as ongoing studies on white shark movements, migratory patterns and behavior off Isla Guadalupe. Here we present an overview of previous studies on the movements of sharks, as well as a comprehensive description of new studies currently being carried out by our research group at Pelagios Kakunjá on several species of sharks in the MXP. We show how information gleaned from these studies can be put to use to guide sustainable exploitation policies and promote effective conservation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; MigraMar, Olema, CA, United States.
| | - Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; MigraMar, Olema, CA, United States
| | - Alejandro Aldana-Moreno
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Kathryn Ayres
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Alex Hearn
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador; MigraMar, Olema, CA, United States
| | - Frida Lara-Lizardi
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; MigraMar, Olema, CA, United States
| | - Gador Muntaner-López
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Miquel Grau
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | | | - Darren A Whitehead
- Pelagios Kakunjá, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico; Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - A Peter Klimley
- Biotelemetry Consultants, Petaluma, CA, United States; MigraMar, Olema, CA, United States
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Aldana-Moreno A, Hoyos-Padilla EM, González-Armas R, Galván-Magaña F, Hearn A, Klimley AP, Winram W, Becerril-García EE, Ketchum JT. Residency and diel movement patterns of the endangered scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini in the Revillagigedo National Park. J Fish Biol 2020; 96:543-548. [PMID: 31858589 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study is the first description of the residency and diel movements of Sphyrna lewini at the Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico. Eleven adult scalloped hammerheads of total length 200-300 cm were monitored using acoustic telemetry during 2013-2015 at four sites at San Benedicto Island. Diel and residency patterns were described based on 58,055 detections by four autonomous receivers. The sharks displayed high daytime residency in two of the four sites, with movements away into the pelagic environment at night. This study generates a baseline for effective monitoring to improve the conservation and management of an iconic but endangered species at this marine reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Aldana-Moreno
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - E Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Fins Attached, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
- MigraMar, Olema, California, USA
| | - Rogelio González-Armas
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - Alex Hearn
- MigraMar, Olema, California, USA
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
| | - A Peter Klimley
- MigraMar, Olema, California, USA
- Biotelemetry Consultants, Petaluma, California, USA
| | | | - Edgar Eduardo Becerril-García
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - James T Ketchum
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- MigraMar, Olema, California, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
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12
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Nalesso E, Hearn A, Sosa-Nishizaki O, Steiner T, Antoniou A, Reid A, Bessudo S, Soler G, Klimley AP, Lara F, Ketchum JT, Arauz R. Movements of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) at Cocos Island, Costa Rica and between oceanic islands in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213741. [PMID: 30861051 PMCID: PMC6413943 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species of sharks form aggregations around oceanic islands, yet their levels of residency and their site specificity around these islands may vary. In some cases, the waters around oceanic islands have been designated as marine protected areas, yet the conservation value for threatened shark species will depend greatly on how much time they spend within these protected waters. Eighty-four scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini Griffith & Smith), were tagged with acoustic transmitters at Cocos Island between 2005-2013. The average residence index, expressed as a proportion of days present in our receiver array at the island over the entire monitoring period, was 0.52±0.31, implying that overall the sharks are strongly associated with the island. Residency was significantly greater at Alcyone, a shallow seamount located 3.6 km offshore from the main island, than at the other sites. Timing of presence at the receiver locations was mostly during daytime hours. Although only a single individual from Cocos was detected on a region-wide array, nine hammerheads tagged at Galapagos and Malpelo travelled to Cocos. The hammerheads tagged at Cocos were more resident than those visiting from elsewhere, suggesting that the Galapagos and Malpelo populations may use Cocos as a navigational waypoint or stopover during seasonal migrations to the coastal Central and South America. Our study demonstrates the importance of oceanic islands for this species, and shows that they may form a network of hotspots in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Nalesso
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
- Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas, San José, Costa Rica
- * E-mail:
| | - Alex Hearn
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales / Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador
- Turtle Island Restoration Network, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
| | - Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Todd Steiner
- Turtle Island Restoration Network, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
| | - Alex Antoniou
- Fins Attached Marine Research and Conservation, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Andrew Reid
- Jurassic Shark Expeditions, Dorchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Bessudo
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- Fundación Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas Marinos, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Germán Soler
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- Fundación Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas Marinos, Bogotá, Colombia
- Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - A. Peter Klimley
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- Department of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Frida Lara
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - James T. Ketchum
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
- Pelagios Kakunjá A.C., La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Randall Arauz
- Programa Restauración de Tortugas Marinas, San José, Costa Rica
- MigraMar, Forest Knolls, California, United States of America
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Ketchum JT, Reyes Bonilla H. [Taxonomy and distribution of the hermatypic corals (Scleractinia) of the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico]. REV BIOL TROP 2001; 49:803-48. [PMID: 12189813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In spite of some recent detailed accounts about the scleractinian corals of the Archipiélago de Revillagigedo, taxonomic work on this fauna has been sparse. Consequently, solid taxonomic background is needed, especially to support further studies at community level. During five field trips (between 1990 and 1995) collections were made at different depths on three of the archipelago islands: Socorro, Clarión and San Benedicto. A total of 250 specimens were collected. Coral identifications were made using co-occurrence methods concomitant with their descriptions, diagnosis and illustrations from a number of publications, and with morphological analysis. Coral distributions were taken from literature. Twenty-two species of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals are described, with their local and world-wide geographic distribution, and each illustrated with macro and microphotographs. Keys to the genera and species of the archipelago are also included. Porites and Pocillopora exhibit the highest species richness with a great intraspecific variation, as well as a number of morphological convergences within and between species which form species complexes, and several new species and morphs. Clarion, the oldest and most isolated island of the archipelago, harbors a number of coral morphs that are probable new species. More than half of the species found at the Revillagigedos are distributed exclusively on oceanic islands of the eastern Pacific and close to one third exist only at this archipelago. The Revillagigedos have strong faunal similarities and share a number of endemics with Clipperton Atoll, all of which support the idea that these islands constitute a separate biogeographic subregion within the eastern Pacific. Lastly, the present document substantiates the hypothesis that the Revillagigedos are important stepping-stone islands for the migration of in-shore marine species from the Central to the eastern Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Ketchum
- Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur. Ap. Postal 701, 23000, La Paz, B.C.S., México.
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