NEWSLETTER 01/2011    16. Januar 2011

 


NEW PARTNERS:

Sara Ferrando, Department of Biology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Partner in Google-Maps

 

NEXT UPDATE:

Several times a week (new database software)

 

STATISTIC:


October

November

Dezember

Januar

papers:

10.165

11.415

11.729

11.849

recent:

7.439

8.631

9.004

9.111

fossil:

2.724

2.724

2.725

2.738

evaluated:

5.291

5.821

6.124

6.351

free downloading:

1.448

1.820

1.948

2.006

saved abstracts:

1.721

2.085

2.124

2.337

saved DOI

1.497

1.703

1.754

1.863

database entries „described species“

28.109

31.181

33.207

34.172

different species names

10.002

10.194

10.456

10.530

valid recent species

1.174

1.176

1.180

1.180

 

 

MEETINGS:

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35th Annual Larval Fish Conference


May 22-26, 2011

Wilmington
North Carolina

Meeting Web Site

27th Annual Meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society


July 6-11, 2011

Minneapolis
Minnesota

 

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SVP 71st Annual Meeting
November 2-5, 2011
Paris Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV USA

 

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15th EEA Conference October or November 2011 in Berlin, Germany

 

NEW FUNCTION OF THE WEBSITE:

List (pdf) of the papers of the year 2009 for download:

The downloadlink of the pdf is: http://www.shark-references.com/images/meine_bilder/downloads/Papers_2009.pdf

 

New: first description (digital version) of the following species:

I. OXYRHINA HASTALIS Agass.

II. OXYRHINA XIPHODON Agass.

III. OXYRHINA TRIGONODON Agass.

IV. OXYRHINA PLICATILIS Agass.

V. OXYRHINA MANTELLII Agass.

VI. OXYRHINA RETROFLEXA Agass.

VII. OXYRHINA QUADRANS Agass.

VIII. OXYRHINA LEPTODON Agass.

IX. OXYRHINA DESORII Agass.

X. OXYRHINA CRASSA Agass.

XI. OXYRHINA SUBINFLATA Agass.

XII. OXYRHINA ZIPPEI Agass.

XIII. OXYRHINA MINUTA Agass.

XIV. OXYRHINA (MERISTODON) PARADOXA Agass.

I. LAMNA ELEGANS Agass.

II. LAMNA CUSPIDATA Agass.

III. LAMNA COMPRESSA Agass.

IV. LAMNA DENTICULATA Agass.

V. LAMNA ACUMINATA Agass.

VI. LAMNA CRASSIDENS Agass.

VII. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) HOPEI Agass.

VIII. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) VERTICALIS Agass.

IX. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) ACUTISSIMA Agass.

X. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) CONTORTIDENS Agass.

XI. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) DUBIA Agass.

XII. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) GRACILIS Agass.

XIII. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) SUBULATA Agass.

XIV. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) RHAPHIODON Agass.

 

NEW BOKKS OF PARTNER:

Geominpal Belgica 1: Découvertes géologiques, minéralogiques et paléontologiques en Belgique.

ISSN 2033-6365

€ 19,00

A new series (Editor Dr. Jacques Herman) titled «Découvertes géologiques, minéralogiques et paléontologiques en Belgique», translated «Geological, mineralogical and paleontological discoveries in Belgium ».

This first issue (168 pages & 64 plates) mainly covers the geology of the Brussel Sand Formation of Middle Eocene age with the description of several new elasmobranch species and genera: Eoscymnus anthonisi, Orectoloboïdes gijseni, Paleogenotodus luypaertsi, Triaenodon willei, Foumtizia deschutteri and Urobatis molleni.

The revision of the order Carcharhiniformes is initiated with the proposal of a new family: the Galeocerdinidae including the genus Protocorax (revalidated) and Galeocerdo.

 

Herman J., D'Haeze B. & Van Den Eeckhaut G., 2010. Observations et découvertes géologiques et paléontologiques réalisées dans les Sables de Bruxelles, dans le Conglomérat de base des Sables de Lede, et dans les Sables de Lede (Lutétien inférieur et moyen) en Brabant Flamand, de l’Hiver 1995 au Printemps 2010.

Herman J. & Van Den Eeckhaut G., 2010. Inventaire systématique des Invertebrata, Vertebrata, Plantae et Fungi des Sables de Bruxelles.

Hovestadt D. & Hovestadt-Euler M., 2010. Urobatis molleni nov.sp. (Chondrichthyes – Myliobatiformes – Urolophidae) in the Eocene of Belgium.

Ordering and info by email: Jacques Herman

 

 

NEW PAPERS:

FOSSIL:

DORES, R.M. & MAJEED, Q. & KOMOROWSKI, L. (2010): Observations on the radiation of lobe-finned fishes, ray-finned fishes, and cartilaginous fishes: Phylogeny of the opioid/orphanin gene family and the 2R hypothesis. General and Comparative Endocrinology, In Press, Corrected Proof   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2010.09.023

GINTER, M. & TURNER, S. (2010): The middle Paleozoic Selachian genus Thrinacodus. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 30 (6): 1666-1672  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2010.520785

HOVESTADT, D.C. & HOVESTADT-EULER, M. (2010): Urobatis molleni nov.sp. (Chondrichthyes, Myliobatiformes, Urolophidae) in the Eocene of Belgium. Geominpal Belgica Découvertes géologiques, minéralogiques et paléontologiques en Belgique, 1 (3): 67-69

HOVESTADT, D.C. & HOVESTADT-EULER, M. & MICKLICH, N. (2010): A review of the chondrichthyan fauna of Grube Unterfeld (Frauenweiler) clay pit. Kaupia, 17 : in press

KLUG, C. & KRÖGER, B. & KIESSLING, W. & MULLINS, G.L. & SERVAIS, T. & FRÝDA, J. & KORN, D. & TURNER, S. (2010): The Devonian ecological revolution, an underrated radiation. Lethaia, 43 (4): 465-477  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2009.00206.x

PRADEL, A. & TAFFOREAU, P. & JANVIER, P. (2010): Study of the pectoral girdle and fins of the Late Carboniferous sibyrhynchid iniopterygians (Vertebrata, Chondrichthyes, Iniopterygia) from Kansas and Oklahoma (USA) by means of microtomography, with comments on iniopterygian relationships. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 9 (6-7): 377-387  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2010.07.015

ROMANO, C. & BRINKMANN, W. (2010): A new specimen of the hybodont shark Palaeobates polaris with three-dimensionally preserved Meckel’s cartilage from the Smithian (Early Triassic) of Spitsbergen. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 30 (6): 1673-1683   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2010.521962

TURNER, S. & MILLER, R.F. (2010): Reassessment of “Protodus” scoticus from the Early Devonian of Scotland. In: ELLIOTT, D.K. & MAISEY, J.G. & YU, X. & Desui MIAO (editors): Morphology, Phylogeny and Paleobiogeography of Fossil Fishes, Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil: 123-144, 8 figs., 2 apps.

 

RECENT:

BARNETT, A. & ABRANTES, K.G. & STEVENS, J.D. & BRUCE, B.D. & SEMMENS, J.M. (2010): Site fidelity and movements of sharks associated with ocean-farming. PLoS ONE, 5 (12): e15464  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0015464

CARRUTHERS, E.H. & NEILSON, J.D. & SMITH, S.C. (2010): Overlooked bycatch mitigation opportunities in pelagic longline fisheries: Soak time and temperature effects on swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and blue shark (Prionace glauca) catch. Fisheries Research, In Press, Accepted Manuscript   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2010.12.008

DAMALAS, D. & VASSILOPOULOU, V. (2010): Chondrichthyan by-catch and discards in the demersal trawl fishery of the central Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). Fisheries Research, In Press, Accepted Manuscript   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2010.12.012

DHAHRI, M. & MANSOUR, M.B. & BERTHOLON, I. & OLLIVIER, V. & BOUGHATTAS, N.A. & HASSINE, M. & JANDROT-PERRUS, M. & CHAUBET, F. & MAAROUFI, R.M. (2010): Anticoagulant activity of a dermatan sulfate from the skin of the shark Scyliorhinus canicula. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis, 21 (6): 547-557  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MBC.0b013e32833b643b

FERRANDO, S. & GALLUS, L. & GAMBARDELLA, C. & GHIGLIOTTI, L. & RAVERA, S. & VALLARINO, M. & VACCHI, M. & TAGLIAFIERRO, G. (2010): Cell proliferation and apoptosis in the olfactory epithelium of the shark Scyliorhinus canicula. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 40: 293-300  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jchemneu.2010.08.004

FERRANDO, S. & GALLUS, L. & GAMBARDELLA, C. & VACCHI, M. & TAGLIAFIERRO, G. (2010): G protein alpha subunits in the olfactory epithelium of the holocephalan fish Chimaera monstrosa. Neuroscience Letters, 472 (1): 65-67  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2010.01.059

FERREIRO-GALVE, S. & RODRÍGUEZ-MOLDES, I. & CANDAL, E. (2010): Calretinin immunoreactivity in the developing retina of sharks: comparison with cell proliferation and GABAergic system markers. Experimental eye research, 91 (3): 378-386  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2010.06.011

GAMBARDELLA, C. & GALLUS, L. & RAVERA, S. & FASULO, S. & VACCHI, M. & FERRANDO, S. (2010): First evidence of a leptin-like peptide in a cartilaginous fish. Anatomical Record, 293 (10): 1692-1697  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.21238

KITCHENER, P.D. & FULLER, J. & SNOW, P.J. (2010): Central projections of primary sensory afferents to the spinal dorsal horn in the long-tailed stingray, Himantura fai. Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 76 (1): 60-70  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000319009

KOTTELAT, M. (2010): The nominal species of rays (Chondrichthyes) described by Stephan (1779). Zootaxa, 2646: 63-68

KUCHTA, R. & CAIRA, J.N. (2010): Three new species of Echinobothrium (Cestoda: Diphyllidea) from Indo-Pacific stingrays of the genus Pastinachus (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae). Folia Parasitologica, 57 (3): 185-196

MALJKOVI, A. & CÔTÉ, I.M. (2010): Effects of tourism-related provisioning on the trophic signatures and movement patterns of an apex predator, the Caribbean reef shark. Biological Conservation, In Press, Corrected Proof   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2010.11.019

MOELLER, J.F. & MEREDITH, M. (2010): Differential co-localization with choline acetyltransferase in nervus terminalis suggests functional differences for GnRH isoforms in bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo). Brain Research, 1366: 44-53  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MBC.0b013e32833b643b

NUSNBAUM, M. & DERBY, C.D. (2010): Effects of Sea Hare Ink Secretion and Its Escapin-Generated Components on a Variety of Predatory Fishes. Biological Bulletin, 218: 282-292

PAJUELO, J.G. & GARCÍA, S. & LORENZO, J.M. & GONZÁLEZ, J.A. (2010): Population biology of the shark, Squalus megalops, harvested in the central-east Atlantic Ocean. Fisheries Research, In Press, Corrected Proof   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2010.11.018

PIERCE, S.J. & BENNETT, M.B. (2010): Destined to decline? Intrinsic susceptibility of the threatened estuary stingray to anthropogenic impacts. Marine and Freshwater Research, 61: 1468-1481  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF10073

PIERCE, S.J. & MÉNDEZ-JIMÉNEZ, A. & COLLINS, K. & ROSERO-CAICEDO, M. & MONADJEM, A. (2010): Developing a Code of Conduct for whale shark interactions in Mozambique. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 20: 782-788  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.1149

POLKINGHORNE, A. & SCHMIDT-POSTHAUS, H. & MEIJER, A. & LEHNER, A. & VAUGHAN, L. (2010): Novel Chlamydiales associated with epitheliocystis in a leopard shark Triakis semifasciata. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 91 (1): 75-81  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao02255

SMITH, K. & SCARR, M. & SCARPACI, C. (2010): Grey nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) diving tourism: Tourist compliance and shark behaviour at Fish Rock, Australia. Environmental Management, 46 (5): 699-710  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-010-9561-8

STRID, A. & ATHANASSIADIS, I. & ATHANASIADOU, M. & SVAVARSSON, J. & PÄPKE, O. & BERGMAN, A. (2010): Neutral and phenolic brominated organic compounds of natural and anthropogenic origin in northeast Atlantic Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 29 (12): 2653-2659  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/etc.330

ZACCONE, D. & CASCIO, P.L. & LAURIANO, R. & PERGOLIZZI, S. & SFACTERIA, A. & MARINO, F. (2010): Occurrence of neuropeptides and tyrosine hydroxylase in the olfactory epithelium of the lesser-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula Linnaeus, 1758). Acta Histochemica, In Press, Corrected Proof   Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.acthis.2010.09.010

BARBINI, S.A. & LUCIFORA, L.O. (2011): Feeding habits of the Rio skate, Rioraja agassizi (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae), from off Uruguay and north Argentina. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, in press  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410001529

CLAES, J.M. & KRÖNSTRÖM, J. & HOLMGREN, S. & MALLEFET, J. (2011): GABA inhibition of luminescence from lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) photophores. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology, 153 (2): 231-236  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpc.2010.11.002

DENIAU, A.-L. & MOSSET, P. & LE BOT, D. & LEGRAND, A.B. (2011): Which alkylglycerols from shark liver oil have anti-tumour activities? Biochimie, 93 (1): 1-3  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2009.12.010

ELLIS, J.R. & MOREL, G. & BURT, G. & BOSSY, S. (2011): Preliminary observations on the life history and movements of skates (Rajidae) around the Island of Jersey, western English Channel. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, in press  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410001906

KIMBER, J.A. & SIMS, D.W. & BELLAMY, P.H. & GILL, A.B. (2011): The ability of a benthic elasmobranch to discriminate between biological and artificial electric fields . Marine Biology, 158 (1): 1-8  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1537-y

KYNE, P.M. & COURTNEY, A.J. & BENNETT, M.B. (2011): Observations on the reproductive biology of three catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae: Asymbolus and Figaro) from the continental shelf of southern Queensland, Australia. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, in press  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410001670

PEREZ, C.R. & CAILLIET, G.M. & EBERT, D.A. (2011): Age and growth of the sandpaper skate, Bathyraja kincaidii, using vertebral centra, with an investigation of caudal thorns: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, in press  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410002031

PERIER, R. & ESTALLES, M. & COLLER, M. & DI GIACOMO, E.E. (2011): Reproductive biology of the endemic skate Psammobatis lentiginosa in the San Matías Gulf (south-western Atlantic). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, in press  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410001347

SANTANDER-NETO, J. & SHINOZAKI-MENDES, R.A. & SILVEIRA, L.M. & JUCÁ-QUEIROZ, B. & FURTADO-NETO, M.A.A. & FARIA, V.V. (2011): Population structure of nurse sharks, Ginglymostoma cirratum (Orectolobiformes), caught off Ceará State, Brazil, south-western Equatorial Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, in press  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410001293

STORELLI, M.M. & BARONE, G. & STORELLI, A. & MARCOTRIGIANO, G.O. (2011): Levels and congener profiles of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in blue shark (Prionace glauca) liver from the South-Eastern Mediterranean Sea (Italy). Chemosphere, 82 (1): 37-42  Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.10.014

WEB-RESOURCES (2011): The Elephant shark genome project. http://esharkgenome.imcb.a-star.edu.sg/

WEB-RESOURCES (2011): The Marine Geonomics Project. http://www.marinegenomics.org/organisms

WEB-RESOURCES (2011): The Lamprey and the dogfish, two key species for the study of vertebrate development. http://www.genoscope.cns.fr/spip/Scyliorhinus-canicula-the-lamprey.html



MISCELLANEOUS

Fish Had Sex First, Fossils Suggest

Fish fossils dating to 380 million years ago provide the first physical evidence for intimate sex by copulation.

By Jennifer Viegas | Mon Oct 11, 2010 03:15 PM ET

Fish were the first to have intimate sex, suggests new research based on well-preserved fossils of extinct armored fishes from the Gogo Formation of Western Australia.

Intimate sex by copulation likely first happened in the early Devonian Period around 400 to 410 million years ago, scientists say.

This was "not just spawning in water, but sex that was fun," according to project leader John Long, who also thinks that jaws evolved in conjunction with mating.

"Jaws might not have first evolved for feeding, as widely presupposed, but to facilitate copulatory mating," said Long, who is vice president of research and collections at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. "In many sharks the jaws are used to hold on to pectoral fins of females so copulation can take place."

The scientists studied fossil embryos -- still in good condition -- from Late Devonian ptyctodontid and arthrodiran placoderm fishes, which were similar to modern sharks. While these remains date to 380 million years ago, the overall fossil record for the fishes suggests they evolved the ability to have intimate sex by copulation at an earlier period.

Long and his colleagues made headlines a few years ago when it was announced that one of the fishes, an individual from the genus Materpiscis, was the world's first mother, since a female's fossil still retained a single embryo connected by an umbilical cord. The discovery represents the oldest evidence of an animal giving birth to live young.

"Our finds show that these extinct armored fishes, the placoderms, had intimate copulation with males inserting claspers (a structure that is part of the pelvic fin) inside the female to deposit sperm," Long told Discovery News.

The find "is significant because it means that an advanced form of reproduction involving copulation and live-bearing was more widespread than previously thought."

Recent genetic analysis of the fish fossils indicates that the same genes responsible for making our limbs, and the pelvic fins of fishes, also played a role in developing the sexual organs of our very distant ancestors. These genes also control development of fish jaws. The origin of the pelvic girdle of the ancient fish and the origin of their jaws even seems to have happened around the same time, based on the genetic evidence.

"It seems that limbs and genitals developed via the same developmental pathways, so fossils showing the oldest evidence of pelvic fins (the placoderms) also showing the oldest expression of sexual organs (claspers) might not be such a coincidence," Long explained.

Long and his team announced the determinations today at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology's 70th Anniversary Meeting in Pittsburgh.

Steven Salisbury, a lecturer in the School of Integrative Biology at the University of Queensland, believes the ancient fish fossils, including the fossilized embryo, are a "spectacular" discovery that have "important implications for our understanding of the evolution of live-bearing in vertebrates.

Make love not war may even help to explain the origin of intimate sex since Salisbury added, "The large size of the embryo relative to the mother indicates that the young of this fish were born well-formed, a strategy that may have evolved to counter predation from other larger fishes."

 

 

What Triggers Mass Extinctions? Study Shows How Invasive Species Stop New Life

ScienceDaily (Dec. 31, 2010) — An influx of invasive species can stop the dominant natural process of new species formation and trigger mass extinction events, according to research results published December 29 in the journal PLoS ONE. The study of the collapse of Earth's marine life 378 to 375 million years ago suggests that the planet's current ecosystems, which are struggling with biodiversity loss, could meet a similar fate.

Although Earth has experienced five major mass extinction events, the environmental crash during the Late Devonian was unlike any other in the planet's history. The actual number of extinctions wasn't higher than the natural rate of species loss, but very few new species arose.

"We refer to the Late Devonian as a mass extinction, but it was actually a biodiversity crisis," said Alycia Stigall, a scientist at Ohio University and author of the PLoS ONE paper.

"This research significantly contributes to our understanding of species invasions from a deep-time perspective," said Lisa Boush, program director in the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Division of Earth Sciences, which funded the research.

"The knowledge is critical to determining the cause and extent of mass extinctions through time, especially the five biggest biodiversity crises in the history of life on Earth. It provides an important perspective on our current biodiversity crises."

The research suggests that the typical method by which new species originate--vicariance--was absent during this ancient phase of Earth's history, and could be to blame for the mass extinction.

Vicariance occurs when a population becomes geographically divided by a natural, long-term event, such as the formation of a mountain range or a new river channel, and evolves into different species. New species also can originate through dispersal, which occurs when a subset of a population moves to a new location.

In a departure from previous studies, Stigall used phylogenetic analysis, which draws on an understanding of the tree of evolutionary relationships to examine how individual speciation events occurred.

She focused on one bivalve, Leptodesma (Leiopteria), and two brachiopods, Floweria and Schizophoria (Schizophoria), as well as a predatory crustacean, Archaeostraca. These small, shelled marine animals were some of the most common inhabitants of the Late Devonian oceans, which had the most extensive reef system in Earth's history.

The seas teemed with huge predatory fish such as Dunkleosteus, and smaller life forms such as trilobites and crinoids (sea lilies). The first forests and terrestrial ecosystems appeared during this time; amphibians began to walk on land. As sea levels rose and the continents closed in to form connected land masses, however, some species gained access to environments they hadn't inhabited before.

The hardiest of these invasive species that could thrive on a variety of food sources and in new climates became dominant, wiping out more locally adapted species. The invasive species were so prolific at this time that it became difficult for many new species to arise.

"The main mode of speciation that occurs in the geological record is shut down during the Devonian," said Stigall. "It just stops in its tracks."

Of the species Stigall studied, most lost substantial diversity during the Late Devonian, and one, Floweria, became extinct. The entire marine ecosystem suffered a major collapse. Reef-forming corals were decimated and reefs did not appear on Earth again for 100 million years. The giant fishes, trilobites, sponges and brachiopods also declined dramatically, while organisms on land had much higher survival rates.

The study is relevant for the current biodiversity crisis, Stigall said, as human activity has introduced a high number of invasive species into new ecosystems.

In addition, the modern extinction rate exceeds the rate of ancient extinction events, including the event that wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

"Even if you can stop habitat loss, the fact that we've moved all these invasive species around the planet will take a long time to recover from because the high level of invasions has suppressed the speciation rate substantially," Stigall said.

Maintaining Earth's ecosystems, she suggests, would be helped by focusing efforts and resources on protection of new species generation. "The more we know about this process," Stigall said, "the more we will understand how to best preserve biodiversity."

The research was also funded by the American Chemical Society and Ohio University.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by National Science Foundation.


Journal Reference:

1.       Alycia L. Stigall. Invasive Species and Biodiversity Crises: Testing the Link in the Late Devonian. PLoS ONE, 2010; 5 (12): e15584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015584