A5034265218- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Marine and fisheries research
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
SeaWorld Entertainment
2025
University of California, Riverside
2021-2024
DePaul University
2018-2020
Abstract While sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is abundant in nature, there huge variation both the intensity and direction of SSD. SSD results from a combination selection for large male size, fecundity female ecological either. In most vertebrates, it male–male competition that primarily underlies this study, we test four hypotheses regarding adaptive value sharks—considering potential each fecundity, sexual, reproductive mode as primary driver between species. We also estimate past...
Abstract Body size is of fundamental importance to our understanding extinct organisms. Physiology, ecology and life history are all strongly influenced by body shape, which ultimately determine how a species interacts with its environment. Reconstruction form in animals provides insight into the dynamics underlying community composition faunal turnover past ecosystems broad macroevolutionary trends. Many known only from incomplete remains, necessitating use anatomical proxies reconstruct...
Otodus megalodon (Lamniformes: Otodontidae) is an iconic Neogene shark, but the lack of well-preserved skeletons has hampered our understanding various aspects its biology. Here, we reassess some biological properties using a new approach, based on known vertebral specimens O. and 165 species extinct extant neoselachian sharks across ten orders. Using median neurocranial caudal fin proportions relative to trunk proportion among non-mitsukurinid/non-alopiid lamniforms, show that could have...
The emergence and subsequent evolution of pectoral fins is a key point in vertebrate evolution, as are dominant control surfaces for locomotion extant fishes.1Coates M. paired fins.Theory Biosci. 2003; 122: 266-287Crossref Scopus (91) Google Scholar,2Webb P.W. Locomotor patterns the Actinopterygian fishes.Am. Zool. 1982; 22: 329-342Crossref (224) Scholar,3Fish F.E. Lauder G.V. Control aquatic vertebrates: active passive design function.J. Exp. Biol. 2017; 220: 4351-4363Crossref PubMed (58)...
The extinct megatooth shark, †Otodus megalodon, which likely reached at least 15 m in total length, is an iconic shark represented primarily by its gigantic teeth the Neogene fossil record.As one of largest marine carnivores to ever exist, understanding biology, evolution, and extinction †O.megalodon important because it had a significant impact on ecology evolution ecosystems that shaped present-day oceans.Some attempts inferring body form have been carried out, but they are all speculative...
Abstract Major shifts in habitat often occur during life history and can have significant impacts on the morphology function of an animal; however, little is known about how such ecological changes influence locomotor system large aquatic vertebrates. Scalloped hammerheads (Sphyrna lewini) are sharks found warm temperate tropical waters. Smaller scalloped generally near-shore habitats, but as they grow larger, individuals spend time deep-water, pelagic habitats. We measured a number...
The megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon, is an iconic Neogene lamniform shark known only from its teeth and vertebrae. Its thermophysiology previously inferred to have been regionally endothermic, like the extant lamnids that are active predatory lamniforms. By considering entire Lamnidae as ecological physiological analogue O. a recent study proposed body dimensions of megalodon based on morphometric analyses forms lamnids. Here, we reassessed by testing whether two-dimensional approach used...
Abstract The white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias ) is the largest macropredatory fish in world. Yet, there remains a paucity of data on early life history and reproduction this iconic shark. Here, we present aerial observations an individual that appears to be sloughing film from its body. We propose two possibilities for possession film: (1) newly born with intrauterine substances still adhered body, or (2) has unknown skin disorder resulting shedding, discharge, possibly microbial growth...
We describe seven associated skeletal remains of Ischyrhiza mira, a Late Cretaceous sclerorhynchid sawfish, from the Campanian‒lower Maastrichtian Tennessee and Alabama, U.S.A., to decipher its paleobiology. mira had about 16 or 17 functional spines same number replacement on each side rostrum in which tall erect occupied anterior one-half two-third followed posteriorly by smaller spines. Whereas small hat-shaped dermal denticles were distributed rostrum, large thorn-like present dorsal body...
ABSTRACT Disproportional changes (i.e. allometry) in shark morphology have been attributed to shifts function associated with niche life history, such as habitat and diet. Photographs of blue sharks ( Prionace glauca, 26-145 kg) were used analyze parameters body fin increasing mass that are fundamental swimming feeding. We hypothesized would demonstrate proportional isometry) because they do not undergo profound prey type, but a result, we predicted grow into bodies greater turning inertias...
Systematic trends in body size variation exist a multitude of vertebrate radiations, however their underlying ecological and evolutionary causes remain poorly understood. Rensch's rule describes one such trend-in which the scaling sexual dimorphism (SSD) depends on sex is larger. Where SSD male-biased, should scale hyperallometrically, as opposed to hypoallometrically where female-biased. The evidence for mixed, comes from small subset total diversity. We conducted first empirical test...
Abstract Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) exhibit a wide range of body forms adapted to various ecological niches. Body form differs not only between species, but life stages individual species as result ontogenetic allometry. In sharks, it has been proposed that these shifts in from trophic and/or spatial ecology (the allometric niche shift hypothesis). Alternatively, suggested allometry may intrinsic morphological constraints associated with increasing size – e.g. counteract form-function...
The versatility of the shark body form is suggested to be one key factors underlying their evolutionary success and persistence. Nevertheless, sharks exhibit a huge diversity forms morphological adaptations. More subtly, it increasingly evident that in many species, morphology varies through ontogeny. Multiple competing hypotheses exist explaining both function specific structures interspecific distribution these ontogenetic shifts. However, existing studies are restricted small number...