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An overview on the role of Hexanchiformes in marine ecosystems: biology, ecology and conservation status of a primitive order of modern sharks
Citation
Barnett, A and Braccini, JM and Awruch, CA and Ebert, DA, An overview on the role of Hexanchiformes in marine ecosystems: biology, ecology and conservation status of a primitive order of modern sharks, Journal of Fish Biology, 80, (5) pp. 966-990. ISSN 0022-1112 (2012) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2012 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03242.x
Abstract
The large size, high trophic level and wide distribution of Hexanchiformes (cow and frilled sharks)
should position this order as important apex predators in coastal and deep-water ecosystems. This
review synthesizes available information on Hexanchiformes, including information not yet published, with the purpose of evaluating their conservation status and assessing their ecological roles
in the dynamics of marine ecosystems. Comprising six species, this group has a wide global distribution, with members occurring from shallow coastal areas to depths of c. 2500 m. The limited
information available on their reproductive biology suggests that they could be vulnerable to over-exploitation (e.g. small litter sizes for most species and suspected long gestation periods). Most of
the fishing pressure exerted on Hexanchiformes is in the form of commercial by-catch or recreational fishing. Comprehensive stock and impact assessments are unavailable for most species in
most regions due to limited information on life history and catch and abundance time series. When
hexanchiform species have been commercially harvested, however, they have been unable to sustain targeted fisheries for long periods. The potentially high vulnerability to intense fishing pressure
warrants a conservative exploitation of this order until thorough quantitative assessments are conducted. At least some species have been shown to be significant apex predators in the systems
they inhabit. Should Hexanchiformes be removed from coastal and deep-water systems, the lack of
sympatric shark species that share the same resources suggests no other species would be capable
of fulfilling their apex predator role in the short term. This has potential ecosystem consequences
such as meso-predator release or trophic cascades. This review proposes some hypotheses on the
ecology of Hexanchiformes and their role in ecosystem dynamics, highlighting the areas where
critical information is required to stimulate research directions.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | apex predator, Chlamydoselachus, Heptranchias, Hexanchus, Notorynchus, shark fishery |
Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology) |
Objective Division: | Environment |
Objective Group: | Ecosystem Assessment and Management |
Objective Field: | Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments |
Author: | Barnett, A (Dr Adam Barnett) |
Author: | Awruch, CA (Dr Cynthia Awruch) |
ID Code: | 77450 |
Year Published: | 2012 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 14 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2012-04-16 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-01 |
Downloads: | 6 View Download Statistics |
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