A5021861796- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Marine animal studies overview
- Marine and fisheries research
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Coastal and Marine Management
- Food Industry and Aquatic Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Traumatic Ocular and Foreign Body Injuries
- Underwater Acoustics Research
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Rabies epidemiology and control
James Cook University
2021-2025
Elasmo Project
2015-2024
University of Dubai
2022
Environment Agency Abu Dhabi
2016-2020
United Arab Emirates University
2013-2016
The scale and drivers of marine biodiversity loss are being revealed by the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment process. We present first global reassessment 1,199 species in Class Chondrichthyes-sharks, rays, chimeras. (in 2014) concluded that one-quarter (24%) were threatened. Now, 391 (32.6%) threatened with extinction. When this percentage threat is applied to Data Deficient species, more than one-third (37.5%) chondrichthyans estimated be threatened,...
Extinctions on land are often inferred from sparse sightings over time, but this technique is ill-suited for wide-ranging species. We develop a space-for-time approach to track the spatial contraction and drivers of decline sawfishes. These iconic endangered shark-like rays were once found in warm, coastal waters 90 nations now presumed extinct more than half (n = 46). Using dynamic geography theory, we predict that sawfishes gone at least nine additional nations. Overfishing habitat loss...
Abstract Sharks and rays are key functional components of coral reef ecosystems, yet many populations a few species exhibit signs depletion local extinctions. The question is whether these declines forewarn global extinction crisis. We use IUCN Red List to quantify the status, trajectory, threats all sharks worldwide. Here, we show that nearly two-thirds (59%) 134 coral-reef associated shark ray threatened with extinction. Alongside marine mammals, among most groups found on reefs....
A global survey of coral reefs reveals that overfishing is driving resident shark species toward extinction, causing diversity deficits in reef elasmobranch (shark and ray) assemblages. Our species-level analysis revealed declines 60 to 73% for five common individual were not detected at 34 47% surveyed reefs. As become more shark-depleted, rays begin dominate Shark-dominated assemblages persist wealthy nations with strong governance highly protected areas, whereas poverty, weak governance,...
The deep ocean is the last natural biodiversity refuge from reach of human activities. Deepwater sharks and rays are among most sensitive marine vertebrates to overexploitation. One-third threatened deepwater targeted, half species targeted for international liver-oil trade with extinction. Steep population declines cannot be easily reversed owing long generation lengths, low recovery potentials, near absence management. Depth spatial limits fishing activity could improve conservation when...
Abstract Freshwater ecosystems are highly biodiverse 1 and important for livelihoods economic development 2 , but under substantial stress 3 . To date, comprehensive global assessments of extinction risk have not included any speciose groups primarily living in freshwaters. Consequently, data from predominantly terrestrial tetrapods 4,5 used to guide environmental policy 6 conservation prioritization 7 whereas recent proposals target setting freshwaters use abiotic factors 8–13 However,...
Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, are known to aggregate feed in a small number of locations tropical and subtropical waters. Here we document newly discovered major aggregation site for whale sharks within the Al Shaheen oil field, 90 km off coast Qatar Arabian Gulf. were observed between April September, with peak numbers May August. Density estimates up 100 an area 1 km2 recorded. Sharks ranged four eight metres' estimated total length (mean 6.92±1.53 m). Most animals actively feeding on...
Abstract The process of understanding the rapid global decline sawfishes (Pristidae) has revealed great concern for their relatives, wedgefishes (Rhinidae) and giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae), not least because all three families are targeted high‐value internationally traded ‘white’ fins. objective this study was to assess extinction risk 10 six by applying International Union Conservation Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories Criteria, summarize latest biogeography habitat, life history,...
Abstract The extinction risk of sharks, rays and chimaeras is higher than that for most other vertebrates due to low intrinsic population growth rates many species the fishing intensity they face. Arabian Sea adjacent waters border some important chondrichthyan trading nations globally, yet there has been no previous attempt assess conservation status occurring here. Using IUCN Red List Threatened Species Categories Criteria their guidelines application at regional level, we present first...
Area-based conservation is essential to safeguard declining biodiversity. Several approaches have been developed for identifying networks of globally important areas based on the delineation sites or seascapes importance various elements biodiversity (e.g., birds, marine mammals). Sharks, rays, and chimaeras are facing a crisis with an estimated 37% species threatened extinction driven by overfishing. Yet spatial planning tools often fail consider habitat needs critical their survival. The...
Abstract Practical biodiversity conservation relies on delineation of biologically meaningful units. Manta and devil rays (Mobulidae) are threatened worldwide, yet morphological similarities a succession recent taxonomic changes impede the development an effective strategy. Here, we generate genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from geographically taxonomically representative set manta ray samples to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships evaluate species boundaries under...
The Arabian Gulf is the warmest sea in world and host to a globally significant population of whale shark Rhincodon typus. To investigate regional behaviour movements, 59 satellite-linked tags were deployed on sharks Al Shaheen area off Qatar from 2011–14. Four different models tag used throughout study, each model able collect differing data or quantities data. Retention varied one 227 days. While all tagged crossed international maritime boundaries, they typically stayed within Gulf. Only...
An 829-bp fragment of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (NADH2) gene was used to assess taxonomic status 1487 elasmobranch specimens, representing 52 putative species. Strong evidence found for existence an undescribed Echinorhinus species and cryptic speciation within Rhynchobatus djiddensis. The results also provide strong molecular support two previously reported, but undescribed, guitarfish Potential, less conclusive, lineage diversification noted in Carcharhinus leucas, Loxodon...
Abstract The Arabian Seas Region plays an important role in the global landings and trade of sharks rays. United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) Yemen, two countries with stark socio‐economic differences, serve as major regional hubs for shark ray products four (Oman, Pakistan, Yemen) supply nearly 11% dried fin exports to Hong Kong. Yet, little information is available on characteristics this fisheries contributing it. Here, we review characteristics, trade, utilization distribution chain rays 15...
In this paper we combine analyses of satellite telemetry and molecular data to investigate spatial connectivity genetic structure among populations shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) in around Australian waters, where species is harvested recreational commercial fisheries. Mitochondrial DNA suggest matrilineal substructure across hemispheres, while nuclear indicate may constitute a globally panmictic population. There was generally high within waters. Assessing the Indian Ocean basin, as well...
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 evaluate conservation status and local fishing impacts. In this study, we sampled 922 putative Sharks from 19 locations in first global assessment structure cosmopolitan species. Using a recently developed DNA‐capture approach (DArTcap), samples were genotyped for 3400 nuclear markers. Additionally,...
Abstract Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are the most threatened marine vertebrates, particularly in tropical subtropical areas. Their population status is often poorly understood due to insufficient information. Despite reportedly harbouring critical elasmobranch habitats, Banc d’Arguin National Park (PNBA) Mauritania lacks comprehensive updated information on diversity of species area. We developed a baseline inventory based morphological molecular identification metabarcoding. DNA...
The true state of ocean biodiversity is difficult to assess, and there are few global indicators track the primary threat overfishing. We calculated a 50-year Red List Index extinction risk ecological function for 1199 sharks rays found that since 1970, overfishing has halved their populations worsened by 19%. Overfishing largest species in nearshore pelagic habitats risks loss ecomorphotypes 5 22% erosion functional diversity. Extinction higher countries with large human coastal but lower...
The first molecular-assisted assessment of shark and batoid taxonomy in the waters south-eastern Arabia was undertaken almost a decade ago, at time when many species lineages lacked clear resolution. Consequently, only tentative identifications could be offered some cases. There has been considerable amount focus on elasmobranch since then, this resulted numerous revisions to identities distributions. Therefore, light these more recent findings, mitochondrial NADH2 sequences from original...