NEWSLETTER 02/2011    13. Februar 2011

 

NEW PARTNERS:

• Alan Pradel, American Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, New York
• Toni L. Ferrara, Computational Biomechanics Research Group, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales,Sydney, Australia
• Bruno Macena, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Oceanografia Pesqueira, Recife, Brazil
• Prof. Giorgio Carnevale, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra of the Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy
• Hélène Volkoff, Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
• Carlos Bustamante Díaz, School of Biomedical Sciences. The University of Queensland, Australia (Homepage)
• Pascal Sourdaine, University of Caen Basse-Normandie, Caen, France (Homepage)
• Ximena Vélez-Zuazo, Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, USA
• Daniel Potvin-Leduc, Chaire de recherche en paléontologie et biologie évolutive, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Québec, Canada
• Ross A. Jeffree, IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories, Monaco
• Gabriel Morey, Fisheries Department-Balearic Islands Government, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Dr. Hiroshi Senou, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan
• Dr. Guillem X. Pons,  University of the Balearic Islands, Department of Earth Sciences (Spain) and Societat d'Història Natural de les Balears (SHNB) (Homepage)

Partner in Google-Maps

 

STATISTIC:

	November	Dezember	Januar	Februar
papers:	11.415	11.729	11.849	12.034
recent:	8.631	9.004	9.111	9.283
fossil:	2.724	2.725	2.738	2.751
evaluated:	5.821	6.124	6.351	6.583
free downloading:	1.820	1.948	2.006	2.106
saved abstracts:	2.085	2.124	2.337	2.498
saved DOI	1.703	1.754	1.863	1.976
database entries „described species“	31.181	33.207	34.172	35.248
different species names	10.194	10.456	10.530	10.590
valid recent species	1.176	1.180	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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NEW FUNCTION OF THE WEBSITE:

NEW! List (pdf) of the papers of the year 2010 for download:

The downloadlink of the pdf is: http://www.shark-references.com/images/meine_bilder/downloads/Papers_2010.pdf

 

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/genus:

Example images:

XV. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) BRONNII Agass.

XVI. LAMNA (ODONTASPIS) DUPLEX Agass.

XVII. LAMNA (SPHENODUS) LONGIDENS Agass.

XVIII. LAMNA (SPHENODUS) PLANA Agass.

CHAPITRE XXIX. DE LA STRUCTURE DES DENTS DES SQUALIDES

DU GENRE SCYLLIUM

DU GENRE SQUATINA

DU GENRE HEMIPRISTIS

DU GENRE CARCHARIAS (PRIONODON)

DU GENRE SPHYRNA (ZYGAENA)

DU GENRE GALEUS

DU GENRE GALEOCERDO

DU GENRE SPINAX

DU GENRE CENTRINA

DU GENRE SCYMNUS

DU GENRE MUSTELUS

DU GENRE ODONTASPIS

DU GENRE LAMNA

DU GENRE OXYRHINA

DU GENRE CARCHARODON

DU GENRE OTODUS

DU GENRE SELACHE

DU GENRE CORAX

DU GENRE NOTIDANUS

CHAPITRE XXX. QUELQUES OBSERVATIONS SUR LES SQUALES FOSSILES EN GÉNÉRAL, LEUR RÉPARTITION DANS LES TERRAINS ET LA MANIÉRE DE LES DÉTERMINER.

 

 

NEW PAPERS:

FOSSIL:

PRADEL, A. (2010): Skull and brain anatomy of Late Carboniferous Sibyrhynchidae (Chondrichthyes, Inio pterygia) from Kansas and Oklahoma (USA). Geodiversitas, 32 (4): 595-661
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/g2010n4a2

HERMAN, J. & VAN DEN EECKHAUT, G. (2010): Inventaire systématique des Invertebrata, Vertebrata, Plantae et Fungi des Sables de Bruxelles. Geominpal Belgica Découvertes géologiques, minéralogiques et paléontologiques en Belgique, 1 (2): 35-65

 

RECENT:

ANDREEVA, A.M.  & FEDOROV, R.A. (2010): Features of the organization of low-molecular weight proteins from the blood and tissue fluid of the common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca (Chondroichthyes: Trygonidae). Russian Journal of Marine Biology, 36 (6): 469-472
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1134/S1063074010060106

PRADEL, A. (2010): Skull and brain anatomy of Late Carboniferous Sibyrhynchidae (Chondrichthyes, Inio pterygia) from Kansas and Oklahoma (USA). Geodiversitas, 32 (4): 595-661
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/g2010n4a2

ANDREWS, K.S. & WILLIAMS, G.D. & LEVIN, P.S. (2010): Seasonal and ontogenetic changes in movement patterns of sixgill sharks. PLoS ONE, 5 (9): e12549
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012549

BARNETT, A. & ABRANTES, K.G. & STEVENS, J.D. & BRUCE, B.D. & SEMMENS, J.M. (2010): Fine-Scale Movements of the Broadnose Sevengill Shark and Its Main Prey, the Gummy Shark. PLoS ONE, 5 (12): e15464
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0015464

HERMAN, J. & VAN DEN EECKHAUT, G. (2010): Inventaire systématique des Invertebrata, Vertebrata, Plantae et Fungi des Sables de Bruxelles. Geominpal Belgica Découvertes géologiques, minéralogiques et paléontologiques en Belgique, 1 (2): 35-65

BARNETT, A. & STEVENS, J.D. & FRUSHER, S.D. & SEMMENS, J.M. (2010): Seasonal occurrence and population structure of the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in coastal habitats of south-east Tasmania. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (7): 1688-1701
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02810.x

BRUNNSCHWEILER, J.M. & QUEIROZ, N. & SIMS, D.W. (2010): Oceans apart? Short-term movements and behaviour of adult bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas in Atlantic and Pacific Oceans determined from pop-off satellite archival tagging. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (6): 1343-1358
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02757.x

CARLSON, J.K. & RIBERA, M.M. & CONRATH, C.L. & HEUPEL, M.R. & BURGESS, G.H. (2010): Habitat use and movement patterns of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas determined using pop-up satellite archival tags. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (3): 661-675
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02707.x

CARRERA, I. & ANADÓN, R. & QUINTANA-URZAINQUI, I. & POSE-MÉNDEZ, S. & RODRÍGUEZ-MOLDES, I. (2010): Development of descending supraspinal pathways in a shark and neurochemical characterization of projection neurons. Abstract. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 28 (8): 668
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.07.080

CLAES, J.M. & KRÖNSTRÖM, J. & HOLMGREN, S. & MALLEFET, J. (2010): Nitric oxide in the control of luminescence from lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) photophores. Journal of Experimental Biology, 213 (17): 3005-3011
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.040410

CLUA, E. & SÉRET, B. (2010): Unprovoked fatal shark attack in Lifou Island (Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, South Pacific) by a great white shark, Carcharodon carcharias. American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, 31 (3): 281-286
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0b013e3181ec7cb8

CUTMORE, S.C. & BENNETT, M.B. & CRIBB, T.H. (2010): A new tetraphyllidean genus and species, Caulopatera pagei n. g., n. sp. (Tetraphyllidea: Phyllobothriidae), from the grey carpetshark Chiloscyllium punctatum Müller & Henle (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscylliidae). Systematic Parasitology, 77 (1): 13-21
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11230-010-9252-0

DALLAS, L.J. & SHULTZ, A.D. & MOODY, A.J. & SLOMAN, K.A. & DANYLCHUK, A.J. (2010): Chemical excretions of angled bonefish Albula vulpes and their potential use as predation cues by juvenile lemon sharks Negaprion brevirostris. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (4): 947-962
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02738.x

DEAN, B. & BHUSHAN, B. (2010): Shark-skin surfaces for fluid-drag reduction in turbulent flow: a review. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 368 (1929): 4775-4806 j Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2010.0201

DENIAU, A.-L. & MOSSET, P. & PÉDRONO, F. & MITRE, R. & LE BOT, D. & LEGRAND, A.B. (2010): Multiple Beneficial Health Effects of Natural Alkylglycerols from Shark Liver Oil. Marine Drugs, 8 (7): 2175-2184
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md8072175

EUZET, L. & DE BURON, I. (2010): Thaumatocotyle (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from Dasyatidae (Elasmobranchii) of the North American Atlantic coast: current issues resolved. Journal of Parasitology, 96 (5): 1010-1013
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-2521.1

FARRELL, E.D. & MARIANI, S. & CLARKE, M.W. (2010): Reproductive biology of the starry smooth-hound shark Mustelus asterias: geographic variation and implications for sustainable exploitation. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (7): 1505-1525
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02771.x

FERREIRA, C.M. & FIELD, C.L. & TUTTLE, A.D. (2010): Hematological and plasma biochemical parameters of aquarium-maintained cownose rays. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, 22 (2): 123-128
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1577/H09-048.1

HADFIELD, C.A. & HAINES, A.N. & CLAYTON, L.A. & WHITAKER, B.R. (2010): Cross matching of blood in carcharhiniform, lamniform, and orectolobiform sharks. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 41 (3): 480-486
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2009-0236.1

INOUE, J.G. & MIYA, M. & LAM, K. & TAY, B.-H. & DANKS, J.A. & BELL, J. & WALKER, T.I. & VENKATESH, B. (2010): Evolutionary origin and phylogeny of the modern holocephalans (Chondrichthyes: Chimaeriformes): a mitogenomic perspective. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 27 (11): 2576-2586
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msq147

JEFFREE, R.A. & OBERSHANSLI, F. & TEYSSIE, J.-L. (2010): Phylogenetic consistencies among chondrichthyan and teleost fishes in their bioaccumulation of multiple trace elements from seawater . Science of The Total Environment, 408 (16): 3200-3210
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.04.015

LIU, Y. & IBRAHIM, A.S. & TAY, B.-H. & RICHARDSON, S.J. & BELL, J. & WALKER, T.I. & BRENNER, S. & VENKATESH, B. & DANKS, J.A. (2010): Parathyroid hormone gene family in a cartilaginous fish, the elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii). Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 25 (12): 2337-2347
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.178

MACESIC, L.J. & KAJIURA, S.M. (2010): Comparative punting kinematics and pelvic fin musculature of benthic batoids. Journal of Morphology, 271 (10): 1219-1228
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.10865

MCELWAIN, A. & KOHL, J.W. & BOJKOVIC, J. & BENZ, G.W. (2010): Distribution of Kroeyerina elongata (Kroyeriidae: Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda) in the olfactory sacs of the blue shark, c. Journal of Parasitology, 96 (5): 887-896
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/GE-2361.1

MILLS, S.C. & MOURIER & GALZIN, R. (2010): Plasma cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit validation for three fish species: the orange clownfish Amphiprion percula, the orangefin anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and the blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (3): 769-777
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02693.x

OULION, S. & DEBIAIS-THIBAUD, M. & D’AUBENTON-CARAFA, Y. & THERMES, C. & DA SILVA, C. & BERNARD-SAMAIN, S. & GAVORY, F. & WINCKER, P. & MAZAN, S. & CASANE, D. (2010): Evolution of Hox gene clusters in gnathostomes: insights from a survey of a shark (Scyliorhinus canicula) transcriptome. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 27 (12): 2829-2838
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msq172

SAGARESE, S.R. & FRISK, M.G. (2010): An investigation on the effect of photoperiod and temperature on vertebral band deposition in little skate Leucoraja erinacea. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (4): 935-946
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02734.x

SAKIYAMA, T. & SENOU, H. & TARU, H. (2010): Records of a Basking Shark, Cetorhinus maximus (Lamniformes: Cetorhinidae) from Sagami Bay. Bulletin of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum. Natural Science, 31: 55-58

TOVAR-ÁVILA, J. & DAY, R.W. & WALKER, T.I. (2010): Using rapid assessment and demographic methods to evaluate the effects of fishing on Heterodontus portusjacksoni off far-eastern Victoria, Australia. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (7): 1564-1578
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02788.x

VAUDO, J.J. & MATICH, P. & HEITHAUS, M.R. (2010): Mother-offspring isotope fractionation in two species of placentatrophic sharks. Journal of Fish Biology, 77 (7): 1724-1727
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02810.x

VAUGHAN, D.B. & CHISHOLM, L.A. (2010): A new species of Neoheterocotyle Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the gills of Rhinobatos annulatus Müller & Henle (Rhinobatidae) off the southern tip of Africa. Systematic Parasitology, 77 (3): 205-213
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006315005942

WARD-PAIGE, C.A. & MORA, C. & LOTZE, H.K. & PATTENGILL-SEMMENS, C. & MCCLENACHAN, L. & ARIAS-CASTRO, E. & MYERS, R.A. (2010): Large-Scale Absence of Sharks on Reefs in the Greater-Caribbean: A Footprint of Human Pressures PLoS ONE, 5 (8): e11968
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011968

ANTONIAZZI, M.M. & BENVENUTI, L.A. & LIRA, M.S. & JARED, S.G.S. & NETO, D.G. & JARED, C. & BARBARO, K.C. (2011): Histopathological changes induced by extracts from the tissue covering the stingers of Potamotrygon falkneri freshwater stingrays Toxicon, In Press, Uncorrected Proof
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.12.005

DELPIANI, S.M. & DELI ANTONI, M.Y. & BARBINI, S.A. & FIGUEROA, D.E. (2011): First record of a dicephalic specimen of tope Galeorhinus galeus (Elasmobranchii: Triakidae). Journal of Fish Biology, in press
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02890.x

FERRARA, T.L. & CLAUSEN, P. & HUBER, D.R. & MCHENRY, C.R. & PEDDEMORS, V. & WROE, S. (2011): Mechanics of biting in great white and sandtiger sharks. Journal of Biomechanics, in press
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.09.028

O’CONNELL, C.P. & ABEL, D.C. & GRUBER, S.H. & STROUD, E.M. & RICE, P.H. (2011): Response of juvenile lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris, to a magnetic barrier simulating a beach net. Ocean & Coastal Management, 54 (3): 225-230
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2010.11.006

SÁNCHEZ-DE ITA, J. A. & QUIÑÓNEZ-VELÁZQUEZ, C. & GALVÁN-MAGAÑA, F. & BOCANEGRA-CASTILLO, N. & FÉLIX-URAGA, R. (2011): Age and growth of the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis from the west coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 27 (1): 20-24
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2010.01569.x

SEMBA, Y. & AOKI, I. & YOKAWA, K. (2011): Size at maturity and reproductive traits of shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, in the western and central North Pacific. Marine and Freshwater Research, 62 (1): 20-29
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF10123

SOMMERVILLE, E. & PLATELL, M.E. & WHITE, W.T. & JONES, A.A. & POTTER, I.C. (2011): Partitioning of food resources by four abundant, co-occurring elasmobranch species: relationships between diet and both body size and season. Marine and Freshwater Research, 62 (1): 54-65
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF10164

SPIES, I.B. & STEVENSON, D.E. &  ORR, J.W. & HOFF, G.R. (2011): Molecular systematics of the skate subgenus Arctoraja (Bathyraja: Rajidae) and support for an undescribed species, the leopard skate, with comments on the phylogenetics of Bathyraja. Journal of Ichthyology, 58 (1): 77-83
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10228-010-0185-z

VÁZQUEZ, J.A. & NOGUEIRA, M. & DURÁN, A. & PRIETO, M.A. & RODRÍGUEZ-AMADO, I. & RIAL, D. & GONZÁLEZ, M.P. & MURADO, M.A. (2011): Preparation of marine silage of swordfish, ray and shark visceral waste by lactic acid bacteria Journal of Food Engineering, 103 (4): 442-448
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2010.11.014

VÉLEZ-ZUAZO, X. & AGNARSSON, I. (2011): Shark tales: A molecular species-level phylogeny of sharks (Selachimorpha, Chondrichthyes). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, In Press, Corrected Proof
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2010.11.018

WU, T.H. & STINE, J.J. & BECHTEL, P.J. (2011): Preliminary chemical and nutritional characterization of liver from longnose skates (Raja rhina). Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, In Press, Accepted Manuscript
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2010.09.014

ZAGAGLIA, C.R. & DAMIANO, C. & HAZIN, F.H.V. & BROADHURST, M.K. (2011): Reproduction in Mustelus canis (Chondrichthyes: Triakidae) from an unexploited population off northern Brazil. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 27 (1): 25-29
Abstract: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.2010.01573.x

MISCELLANEOUS

 

ISAF 2010 Worldwide Shark Attack Summary
(REVISED: 1 February 2011)

The International Shark Attack File (ISAF) investigated 115 alleged incidents of shark-human interaction occurring worldwide in 2010. Upon review, 79 of these incidents represented confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attack on humans. "Unprovoked attacks" are defined as incidents where an attack on a live human by a shark occurs in its natural habitat without human provocation of the shark. Incidents involving sharks and divers in public aquaria or research holding-pens, shark-inflicted scavenge damage to already dead humans (most often drowning victims), attacks on boats, and provoked incidents occurring in or out of the water are not considered unprovoked attacks. "Provoked attacks" usually occur when a human initiates physical contact with a shark, e.g. a diver bit after grabbing a shark, a fisher bit while removing a shark from a net, and attacks on spearfishersand those feeding sharks. The 36 incidents not accorded unprovoked status in 2010 included 22 provoked attacks, 3 cases of sharks biting marine vessels, 4 incidents dismissed as non-shark attacks, 5 "scavenge" incidents involving post-mortem bites, and 2 cases in which insufficient information was available to determine if an unprovoked shark attack had occurred. In time, as further evidence is gathered, some of the latter may be assigned to one of the alternate categories.

The 2010 yearly total of 79 unprovoked attacks was higher than the 63 unprovoked attacks 2009 and the highest since 2000 (80). The number of unprovoked shark attacks has grown at a steady pace over the past century with each decade having more attacks than the previous. The growth in shark attack numbers does not necessarily mean that there is an increase in the rate of shark attack, rather it most likely is reflective of the ever-increasing amount of time spent in the sea by humans, which increases the odds of interaction between the two affected parties.

The number of shark-human interactions occurring in a given year is directly correlated to the amount of time humans spent in the sea. As world population continues its upsurge and interest in aquatic recreation concurrently rises, we realistically should expect increases in the number of shark attacks and other aquatic recreation-related injuries. If shark populations remain the same or increase in size, one might predict that there should be more attacks each year than in the previous year because more people are in the water. Shark populations, by contrast, actually are declining at a serious rate or are holding at greatly reduced levels in many areas of the world as a result of over-fishing and habitat loss, theoretically reducing the opportunity for these shark-human interactions. However, year-to-year variability in local economic, social, meteorological and oceanographic conditions also significantly influences the local abundance of sharks and humans in the water and, therefore, the odds of encountering one another. As a result, short-term trends in the number of shark attacks - up or down - must be viewed with caution. Thus, the ISAF prefers to view trends over longer periods of time (e.g., by decade) rather than trying to assign too much significance to often high year-to-year variability.

In addition to increases in the number of hours spent in the water by humans, the ISAF's efficiency in discovering and investigating attacks has increased greatly over the past decade, leading to further increases in attack number. Transfer of the ISAF to the Florida Museum of Natural History in 1988 resulted in greatly expanded international coverage of attack incidents and a consequent jump in the number of documented attacks. In the early 1990's the ISAF was able to develop important cooperative relationships with many Florida beach safety organizations and medical facilities, leading to increased documentation of attacks from a region that is a world leader in aquatic recreation. Fundamental advances in electronic communication (the Internet and email), a greatly expanded network of global ISAF scientific observers, and a rise in interest in sharks throughout the world, spawned in part by increased media attention given to sharks, have promoted more complete documentation of attack incidents in recent years. The ISAF web pages which include electronic copies of the Attack Questionnaire in four languages as well as a plethora of statistics and educational material about sharks, comprises the most highly accessed shark site on the Internet. Our strong web presence regularly results in the receipt of unsolicited documentation of shark attacks. Many of these attacks likely would have been missed in the past because they occurred in communication-poor locales or areas lacking ISAF representatives.

Six fatalities resulting from an unprovoked attack occurred in 2010, only slightly above totals from recent years (the 2001-2010 yearly average was 4.3). These unprovoked fatalities were recorded from Egypt (1), Australia (1), South Africa (2), Florida (1), and California (1). The number of serious attacks in 2001-2010, as measured by fatality rate (7.0%), has been lower than that of the decade of the 1990's (13.0%), continuing a twentieth century reduction trend reflective of advances in beach safety practices and medical treatment, and increased public awareness of avoiding potentially dangerous situations.

As in recent years, North American waters had the most(42%: 32 attacks) unprovoked attacks in 2010. The total of 36 attacks in the United States (including four in Hawaii) wason par with the 2001-2010 decadal average of 38.6. Elsewhere, attacks occurred in Australia (14), South Africa (8), Vietnam (6) and Egypt (6), with a single incidents reported from the Bahamas, Brazil, Fiji, Madagascar, Mascarene Islands, Solomon Islands, Canary Islands, Tonga, United Arab Emirates. Surfers (50.8% of cases) and swimmers/waders (37.7%) and were the recreational groups most often involved in shark attacks in 2010. Less affected were snorkelers/divers (8.2%) and those using inflatable rafts and inner-tubes (3.3%).

Following recent trends, Florida again had most of the unprovoked attacks in the United States. The total of 13 attacks was the lowest total since a dozen incidents were documented in 2004 and fell well below the 2001-2010 average of 23.1. Additional U.S. attacks were recorded in North Carolina (5), California (4), South Carolina (4), and Hawaii (4), with single attacks occurring in Georgia, Maine, Washington, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia. Within Florida, Volusia County had the most incidents (6). This area normally has higher numbers of shark-human interactions as a result of very high aquatic recreational utilization of its attractive waters by both Florida residents and tourists, especially surfers. Other Florida areas having attacks in 2010 were St.Johns (3), Duval (2), Brevard (1), and Martin (1).

Despite continued human population growth and increased interest in aquatic recreation, the number of shark attacks has generally leveled off, averaging 63.5 per year worldwide since reaching a high of 80 in 2000. Likely reasons include:

1. Less people in the water in traditional high shark-human contact areas. Post-9/11 slow-downs in local economies and the recent economic downturn have reduced the number of tourists entering the sea. Meteorological conditions also have played a role - the large number of tropical storms that battered Florida and other U.S. east coast states in 2004, 2005 and 2006 significantly reduced the amount of time spent in the water by humans in these areas. Since Florida annually has more attacks than any other region in the world, the large drops in number of attacks in this region during 2004-2006 is reflected in the worldwide totals in these years.

2. Less sharks in the water. Worldwide over-fishing of elasmobranchs (sharks and their relatives, the skates and rays) has left many populations at critically low levels. Nearshore sharks are the most affected because they are easily captured and are highly sought for their flesh and especially for their fins, which fetch a high sale price and are exported to eastern Asia, where they are used in shark fin soup, an expensive delicacy. The nearshore area is where humans most often enter the sea.

3. Humans may be getting smarter reducing their interactions with sharks. Media coverage of sharks has been high over the past decade with a plethora of television and print stories detailing the "do's and don't's" involved in reducing shark-human interactions. It is possible that those engaged in marine aquatic recreation (and beach safety personnel charged with their oversight in many areas of the world) are doing a better job of avoiding high risk areas and times, thereby reducing chance meetings between sharks and humans.

If one is actually under attack by a shark, we advise a proactive response. Hitting a shark on the nose, ideally with an inanimate object, usually results in the shark temporarily curtailing its attack. One should try to get out of the water at this time. If this is not possible, repeat bangs to the snout may offer temporary restraint, but the result likely become increasingly less effective. If a shark actually bites, we suggest clawing at its eyes and gills, two sensitive areas. One should not act passively if under attack - sharks respect size and power. For additional safety tips, see:

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/Attacks/relariskreduce.htm

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/isaf/diveradvice.htm

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/isaf/color.htm

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/isaf/mens.htm

The International Shark Attack File, internationally recognized as the definitive source of scientifically accurate information on shark attack, is a compilation of all known shark attacks. In existence since 1958, it is administered by the Florida Museum of Natural History at the University of Florida under the auspices of the American Elasmobranch Society, the world's foremost international organization of scientists studying sharks, skates and rays. Approximately 5,000 individual investigations are currently housed in the ISAF, covering the period from the mid-1500's to present. Many of the data in the ISAF originate from the voluntary submissions of numerous cooperating scientists who serve worldwide as regional observers. Data submitted to the ISAF is screened, coded and computerized. Hard copy documentation, including original interviews and notes, press clippings, photographs, audio/video tapes, and medical/autopsy reports, is permanently archived. Biological researchers and research physicians study investigations housed in the ISAF. Access to ISAF data is granted only after careful screening on a case-by-case basis. Direct access by the press and general public is prohibited since much data, including medical records, is sensitive in nature and is given in confidence. Requests for summary information and non-privileged data are made to the ISAF curator, George H. Burgess.

For additional information on sharks and shark attack, visit the Florida Museum of Natural History's shark research web site at: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/sharks.htm

George H. Burgess
Curator, International Shark Attack File
Florida Program for Shark Research
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
P O Box 117800
Gainesville, FL 32611
gburgess@flmnh.ufl.edu

(352) 392-1721
FAX 352-392-7158

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Are Sharks Color Blind?

Michael Marshall, environment reporter

(Image: S. M. Delpiani, M. Y. Deli Antoni, S. A. Barbini, D. E. Figueroa/Journal of Fish Biology)

A pair of sharks, both with two heads, have been found hidden away in a private collection. This specimen, one of two, had been sitting in a jar since its discovery in 1934, off the coast of Argentina.

Both specimens were male fetuses and were removed from a pregnant female tope shark. As well as two heads, each fetus had duplicated dorsal fins.

Dicephaly, as the condition is known, is most common in reptiles, amphibians and fish. Such animals normally die very young, as this remarkable choristodere fossil shows. A double-headed snake made the news in 2006, after its carer taught the two heads to take it in turns feeding.

It's unclear what caused the fetuses to develop in this way: parasites, poor nutrition, genetic disorders and pollution could all be to blame.

Journal reference: Journal of Fish Biology, DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02890.x

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