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Marine extinctions revisited

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 04:22 authored by del Monte-Luna, P, Lluch-Belda, D, Serviere-Zaragoza, E, Carmona, R, Reyes-Bonilla, H, Aurioles-Gamboa, D, Castro-Aguirre, JL, del Proo, SAG, Trujillo-Millan, O, Barry BrookBarry Brook
In recent years, more than 130 extinctions have been estimated to have occurred in the marine realm. Here we review this body of evidence and show that this figure may actually be overestimated by as much as 50%. We argue that previous estimates have not fully taken into account critical uncertainties such as naturally variable geographical distributions, and have misinterpreted documentary evidence. However, current evidence indicates that some sharks, rays and reef-associated species, although not necessarily geographically restricted, are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and now occur in very low numbers. Overestimating extinctions is of concern because it could reduce confidence in the credibility of the ‘extinct’ category in threatened species lists and, ultimately, be used to question the integrity of conservation and management policies. We suggest that when integrating future checklists of marine extinct species, there needs to be a more rigorous use of the terminology of extinction, and participation by specialists in each of the particular taxonomic groups involved.

History

Publication title

Fish and Fisheries

Volume

8

Pagination

107-122

ISSN

1467-2960

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Place of publication

9600 Garsington Rd, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox4 2Dg

Rights statement

Copyright 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Marine biodiversity

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