NEWSLETTER 12/2017 13.12.2017

Christmas Edition

Please acknowledge use of the database www.shark-references.com in your publications, and cite:

Pollerspöck, J. & Straube, N. 2017, Bibliography database of living/fossil sharks, rays and chimaeras (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii, Holocephali), www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 2017

NEWS/ OWN RESEARCH

Nico is now working as a postdoc in a new project: Phylogenomics of archival DNA in the focal point program Taxon-Omics funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
More at http://www.taxon-omics.de

image copyright: Dirk Neumann

Abstract:
Museum collections worldwide house millions of specimens serving as references in various fields of research. The curatorial treatment of samples often involves formaldehyde (FA) as fixative. While the fixation and subsequent preservation of samples allows for the conservation of many morphological characters, the DNA of samples is damaged as FA introduces cross-links between DNA molecules as well as DNA and proteins, inhibiting techniques that employ amplification of DNA, including all currently available DNA sequencing techniques. Further, FA fixation and subsequent ethanol storage heavily degrade DNA by depurination, causing severe fragmentation. Therefore, archival DNA (arcDNA) samples share many characters with ancient DNA (aDNA). In this project, we intend to combine all current knowledge on FA specific treatments of fixed samples with aDNA extraction protocols focusing on incorporating very short DNA fragments in a DNA library. Our goal is the establishment of a cost- and time efficient protocol for successful DNA extraction and sequencing of mt and phylogenetically informative nDNA from archival DNA libraries, especially from FA fixed samples. After successful testing, we focus on museum samples of deep-sea lantern sharks (Etmopteridae). These sharks perfectly exemplify typical issues arising with molecular analyses of rare species, which are difficult to access in nature. Here, DNA sequence information from museum samples would be of great value for taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses.

Nico (nicolas.straube@shark-references.com) and Jürgen (juergen.pollerspoeck@shark-references.com)

NEW PARTNERS OF SHARK-REFERENCES:

Partner in Google-Maps:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New images at shark-references:

Many thanks to the following persons for the permission to use their images:

Will White (CSIRO), David A. Ebert & Gacin JP Naylor for the images of Centrophorus lesliei WHITE, EBERT & NAYLOR, 2017, pregnant female holotype (SAMC-F041921, 863 mm TL) & Centrophorus longipinnis WHITE, EBERT & NAYLOR, 2017 adult male holotype (NMMB-P 15756, 720 mm TL)

Camilla Parzanini, Department of Ocean SciencesMemorial UniversitySt. John’sCanada Apristurus profundorum (GOODE & BEAN,1896) and Centroscyllium fabricii(REINHARDT, 1825):

H. D. Pradeep, India for the image of Centrophorus moluccensis BLEEKER, 1860, male (adult), 785mm TL, 2.34kg total weight, Andaman & Nicobar waters.

Itzigueri Burgos Vázquez for the image of Narcine entemedor JORDAN & STARKS, 1895 mature, male:

Pradip Patade, India for the image of Aetobatus flagellum (BLOCH & SCHNEIDER, 1801), Marve, Malad, Mumbai in fisherman's net, 29.11.2017, 50-55 cm DW:

Sergio Ramirez for the image of Scyliorhinus canicula (LINNAEUS, 1758) mature male, 43 cm TL; collected in Alcudia Bay (Mallorca Island) in 2013; depth: 90 m and Galeus melastomus (LINNAEUS, 1758) mature female, 51 cm TL; collected in Palma Bay (Mallorca Island) in 2013; depth: 550 m:

Dr. K.V. Akhilesh, Scientist ICAR CMFRI, India for the image of Lamiopsis temminckii (MÜLLER & HENLE, 1839), female, not retained, 1782 mm TL, Sassoon dock, Mumbai, fresh:

Camilla Parzanini, Department of Ocean SciencesMemorial UniversitySt. John’sCanada for the image of Amblyraja jenseni (BIGELOW & SCHROEDER, 1950):

Kathryn Flowers for the image of Aetobatus cf. narinar (EUPHRASEN, 1790) :

David Morgan, Freshwater Fish Group & Fish Health Unit, School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch, Australia for the image of Pristis zijsron BLEEKER, 1851:

Missing papers:

Many thanks to all friends of shark-references, who sent us some missing papers last month!

Shark-References would kindly like to ask you for your contribution to this project.

Please support www.shark-references.com and send missing papers (not listed papers or papers without the info-symbol) to juergen.pollerspoeck@shark-references.com or nicolas.straube@shark-references.com

Upcoming Meetings:

OCS 2018 MEETING

The website and registration details for the OCS 2018 meeting next February are now online at http://www.oceaniasharks.org.au/conference-2018

The 2018 conference is going to be a little different. It’s going to be at Moreton Bay Research Station which is where in the early 2000’s a group of students started their own chondrichthyan focused workshops and seminars to provide a supportive and inclusive forum for presenting shark and ray research. Those events were part of what became the OCS in 2005. In 2018, we’re returning to where some of those early meetings were held, and incidentally, to a beautiful location on the coast with opportunities to dive with manta rays and leopard sharks following the conference. Research station based meetings have a different feel to the normal city or campus based meetings, and Stradbroke Island really is a beautiful location.

Registration and abstract submission are via the online form. Upon registering you should receive a PayPal receipt email as well as an acknowledgement from the conference website. If you encounter any problems with online registration or abstract submission, please contact Jon Smart (Jonathan.Smart@sa.gov.au).

The deadline for abstracts is January 22.

SHARKS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

SHARKS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
João Pessoa, 3-8 June, 2018
The Sharks International Conference is the first truly international event devoted to elasmobranchs, and its first two editions were held respectively in Cairns, Australia in 2010 and Durban, South Africa in 2014. The city of João Pessoa was chosen as the venue for this important event, which will also congregate members of the Brazilian Society for the Study of Elasmobranchs (SBEEL) and the American Elasmobranch Society (AES) in 2018.
João Pessoa, founded in August 5, 1585, is the capital of Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil. It is located in the easternmost portion of the Americas, where a cape named Ponta do Seixas enters the Atlantic Ocean. Its coastline extends for 24 kilometers, with nine beaches. The downtown area and neighbouring municipalities present many historical and tourist sites.
More information and an internet site of the event will soon be available. We hope to have many participants from all over the world.

The website and registration details for the OCS 2018 meeting next February are now online at http://www.oceaniasharks.org.au/conference-2018

The 2018 conference is going to be a little different. It’s going to be at Moreton Bay Research Station which is where in the early 2000’s a group of students started their own chondrichthyan focused workshops and seminars to provide a supportive and inclusive forum for presenting shark and ray research. Those events were part of what became the OCS in 2005. In 2018, we’re returning to where some of those early meetings were held, and incidentally, to a beautiful location on the coast with opportunities to dive with manta rays and leopard sharks following the conference. Research station based meetings have a different feel to the normal city or campus based meetings, and Stradbroke Island really is a beautiful location.

Registration and abstract submission are via the online form. Upon registering you should receive a PayPal receipt email as well as an acknowledgement from the conference website. If you encounter any problems with online registration or abstract submission, please contact Jon Smart (Jonathan.Smart@sa.gov.au).

TAXONOMIC NEWS/ NEW SPECIES

Extinct Chondrichthyes:

DUFFIN, C.J. & MILÀN, J. (2017): A new myriacanthid holocephalian from the Early Jurassic of Denmark. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, 65: 161–170
New genus: Oblidens
New species: Oblidens bornholmensis
Abstract: A new myriacanthid holocephalian is described from the Hasle Formation (probably the Uptonia jamesoni subzone to the Acanthopleuroceras valdani subzone, Early Pliensbachian, Early Jurassic) of Bornholm, Denmark, on the basis of isolated upper posterior (palatine) and lower posterior (mandibular) tooth plates. Oblidens bornholmensisgen. et sp. nov. differs from all other myriacanthids for which the same dental elements are known, in the distribution of the hypermineralised tissue covering the occlusal surfaces of the tooth plates, and the arrangement of the ridges transecting the tooth plate surface and so varying their surface relief. Oblidens is the first myriacanthid holocephalian to be recorded both from the Pliensbachian and from Denmark. The presence of a further, undetermined myriacanthid tooth plate is noted from the same locality.

ENGELBRECHT, A. & MÖRS, T. & REGUERO, M.A. & KRIWET, J. (2017): New carcharhiniform sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the early to middle Eocene of Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, e1371724
New genus: Meridiogaleus, Kallodentis
New species: Meridiogaleus cristatus, Kallodentis rhytistemma, Abdounia mesetae, Abdounia richteri
Abstract: Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula, is known for its wealth of fossil remains. This island provides one of the richest fossiliferous Paleogene sequences in the world. Chondrichthyans seemingly dominate this Eocene marine fauna and offer a rare insight into high-latitude faunas during the Palaeogene. So far, only a few isolated teeth of carcharhinid sharks have been reported from Seymour Island. Bulk sampling in the well-exposed La Meseta and Submeseta formations yielded new and abundant chondrichthyan material, including numerous teeth of carcharhinid and triakid sharks. Here, we present a reevaluation of the previously described carcharhinid remains and a description of new taxa: Meridiogaleus cristatus, gen. et sp. nov., Kallodentis rythistemma, gen. et sp. nov., Abdounia richteri, sp. nov., and Abdounia mesetae, sp. nov. The carcharhiniforms Mustelus sp. and Galeorhinus sp. are reported based on rare material, whereas teeth previously assigned to Scoliodon represent a nomen dubium.

Parasites:

CUTMORE, S.C. & BENNETT, M.B. & MILLER, T.L. & CRIBB, T.H. (2017): Patterns of specificity and diversity in species of Paraorygmatobothrium Ruhnke, 1994 (Cestoda: Phyllobothriidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, with the description of four new species. Systematic Parasitology, 94 (9): 941-970
New species: Paraorygmatobothrium christopheri, Paraorygmatobothrium harti, Paraorygmatobothrium sinclairtaylori, Paraorygmatobothrium ullmanni,
Abstract: A survey of tapeworms of galeomorph sharks from Moreton Bay (Queensland, Australia) identified a complex of species of Paraorygmatobothrium Ruhnke, 1994 infecting 11 carcharhiniform and two orectolobiform species. Combined morphological and multi-locus molecular analyses (based on the 28S nuclear ribosomal RNA and partial mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 genes) revealed the presence of 12 species of Paraorygmatobothrium; four species (Paraorygmatobothrium christopheri n. sp., P. harti n. sp., P. sinclairtaylori n. sp. and P. ullmanni n. sp.) are considered to be new to science and are formally described, four represent known species, and four lack sufficient morphological data to allow definitive identification. In contrast to previous records for the genus, four of the species found in this study exhibited low host specificity [P. orectolobi (Butler, 1987) Ruhnke, 2011, P. sinclairtaylori, P. ullmanni and Paraorygmatobothrium sp. 3], three stenoxenic species were each found in two closely-related sharks (P. orectolobi, P. ullmanni and Paraorygmatobothrium sp. 3) and one euryxenic species was found in five species from two shark families (P. sinclairtaylori). One species was found to exhibit mild morphologically plasticity (P. orectolobi), with size range being associated with different shark species. Conversely, collections of almost morphologically indistinguishable specimens from single shark species were found to represent multiple species of Paraorygmatobothrium. The findings of this study indicate that the description of species of this genus on the basis of morphological data alone is problematic and that the inclusion of multi-locus molecular data is essential for future work on Paraorygmatobothrium. Host specificity, morphology and phylogenetic relatedness of species of Paraorygmatobothrium are explored.

Extant Chondrichthyes:

WHITE, W.T. & EBERT, D.A. & NAYLOR, G.J.P. (2017): Revision of the genus Centrophorus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae): Part 2—Description of two new species of Centrophorus and clarification of the status of Centrophorus lusitanicus Barbosa du Bocage & de Brito Capello, 1864. Zootaxa, 4344 (1): 86–114
New species: Centrophorus lesliei, Centrophorus longipinnis
Abstract: Centrophorus specimens with a distinctive long-based first dorsal fin (long-finned species) have previously been considered to be Centrophorus lusitanicus first described from Portugal. Critical examination of the original description and illustration reveal that C. lusitanicus should be considered a junior synonym of C. granulosus. However, the specimen considered to be the syntype of C. lusitanicus in the Natural History Museum in London is clearly a long-finned species and not conspecific with C. granulosus. A more detailed investigation revealed that this specimen should not be considered a syntype and was likely not originally collected off the coast of Portugal. Investigation of long-finned specimens of Centrophorus from the Indo-West Pacific and Eastern Atlantic revealed that two undescribed species exist and are herein formally described as C. lesliei and C. longipinnis. The two species are similar morphologically and belong to the long-snout Centrophorus group (e.g. C. isodon and C. harrissoni) but are clearly separable based on their very long first dorsal fins. The two species differ in relative length of the first dorsal fin and several other characters. They also differ genetically. Nonmetric multidimensional ordination based on morphometric data reveals both species level and ontogenetic differences. A short erratum is also provided for Part 1 of this revision of the Centrophorus due to two figure related errors which may cause some confusion.

PLEASE send your new papers tojuergen.pollerspoeck@shark-references.comor nicolas.straube@shark-references.com

Latest Research Articles

Extant Chondrichthyes:

ADAMS, K.R. & FETTERPLACE, L.C. & DAVIS, A.R. & TAYLOR, M.D. & KNOTT, N.A. (2017) Sharks, rays and abortion: The prevalence of capture-induced parturition in elasmobranchs. Biological Conservation, 217: 11-27 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.10.010
AKHILESH, K.V. & PURUSHOTTAMA, G.B. & THAKURDAS. & KIZHAKUDAN, S.J. (2017) Biological observations on the broadfin shark Lamiopsis temminckii (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae). Journal of Fish Biology, in press http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13474
ARAUJO, G. & VIVIER, F. & LABAJA, J.J. & HARTLEY, D. & PONZO, A. (2017) Assessing the impacts of tourism on the world’s largest fish Rhincodon typus at Panaon Island, Southern Leyte, Philippines. Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 27 (5): 986-994 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2762
BAKKER, J. & WANGENSTEEN, O.S. & CHAPMAN, D.D. & BOUSSARIE, G. & BUDDO, D. & GUTTRIDGE, T.L. & HERTLER, H. & MOUILLOT, D. & VIGLIOLA, L. & MARIANI, S. (2017) Environmental DNA reveals tropical shark diversity in contrasting levels of anthropogenic impact. Scientific Reports, 7: 16886 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-17150-2
BAUER, A.D. & FISCHER, L.G. & DI DARIO, F. & MINCARONE, M.M. (2017) Marine fishes (Elasmobranchii and Teleostei) from the Santana Archipelago, a Marine Protected Area in the southwestern Atlantic. Marine Biology Research, 13 (8): 813-831 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2017.1302090
BECERRIL-GARCÍA, E.E & HOYOS-PADILLA, E.M. & MICARELLI, P. & GALVÁN-MAGAÑA, F. & SPERONE, E. (2017) Surf ace behavior of white shark, Carcharodon carcharias, related to legal and illegal baits in Guadalupe lsland, México. Abstract. EEA 2017, Amsterdam
BERNARD, A.M. & HORN, R.L. & CHAPMAN, D.D. & FELDHEIM, K.A. & GARLA, R.C. & BROOKS, E.J. & GORE, M.A. & SHIVJI, M.S. (2017) Genetic connectivity of a coral reef ecosystem predator: the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi). Journal of Biogeography, 44 (11): 2488-2500 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13062
BUCKLEY, K.A. & CROOK, D.A. & PILLANS, R.D. & SMITH, L. & KYNE, P.M. (2017) Sustainability of threatened species displayed in public aquaria, with a case study of Australian sharks and rays. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, in press http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11160-017-9501-2
BURGOS-VÁZQUEZ, M.I. & MEJÍA-FALLA, P.A. & CRUZ-ESCALONA, V.H. & BROWN-PETERSON, N.J. (2017) Reproductive Strategy of the Giant Electric Ray in the Southern Gulf of California. Marine and Coastal Fisheries, 9: 1 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19425120.2017.1370042
CLARKE, T.M. & ESPINOZA, M. & CHAVES, R.R. & WEHRTMANN, I.S. (2017) Assessing the vulnerability of demersal elasmobranchs to a data-poor shrimp trawl fishery in Costa Rica, Eastern Tropical Pacific. Biological Conservation, 217: 321–328 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.11.015
DOMINGUES, R.R. & HILSDORF, A.W.S. & SHIVJI, M.M. & HAZIN, F.V.H. & GADIG, O.B.F. (2017) Effects of the Pleistocene on the mitochondrial population genetic structure and demographic history of the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) in the western Atlantic Ocean. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, in press
DOMINGUEZ, H.M.M. & ISAIS, M.G. (2017) Skeleton Anatomy of Five Species of Genus Urotrygon (Chondrichthyes: Urotrygonidae). International Journal of Morphology, 35 (3): 831-839
ENDO, T. & KIMURA, O. & TERASAKI, M. & FUJII, Y. & HARAGUCHI, K. & OHTA, C. & KOGA, N. & KATO, Y. (2017) Growth-related changes in non-essential and essential metals in the liver of star-spotted smooth-hounds (dogfish) Mustelus manazo from the northern region of Japan. Marine Environmental Research, S0141-1136(17)30252-0 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.09.009
ESTUPIÑÁN-MONTAÑO, C. & ESTUPIÑÁN-ORTIZ, J.F. & CEDEÑO-FIGUEROA, L.G. & GALVÁN-MAGAÑA, F. & POLO-SILVA, C.J. (2017) Diet of the bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas, and the tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Turkish Journal of Zoology, 41: 1111-1117 http://dx.doi.org/10.3906/zoo-1610-31
FLOWERS, K.I. & HENDERSON, A.C. & LUPTON, J.L. & CHAPMAN, D.D. (2017) Site affinity of whitespotted eagle rays Aetobatus narinari assessed using photographic identification. Journal of Fish Biology, 91 (5): 1337-1349 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13452
GANIAS, K. & MEZARLI, C. & VOULTSIADOU, E. (2017) Aristotle as an ichthyologist: Exploring Aegean fish diversity 2,400 years ago. Fish and Fisheries, 18 (6): 1038-1055 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/faf.12223
GLEISS, A.C. & POTVIN, J. & GOLDBOGEN, J.A. (2017) Physical trade-offs shape the evolution of buoyancy control in sharks. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284 (1866): 20171345 http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.1345
GRASSMANN, M. & MCNEIL, B. & WHARTON, J. (2017) Sharks in Captivity: The Role of Husbandry, Breeding, Education, and Citizen Science in Shark Conservation. Advances in Marine Biology, 78: 89-119 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2017.08.002
HUMPHRIES, N.E. & SIMPSON, S.J. & SIMS, D.W. (2017) Diel vertical migration and central place foraging in benthic predators. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 582: 163-180 http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps12324
KACEV, D. & SIPPEL, T.J. & KINNEY, M.J. & PARDO, S.A. & MULL, C.G. (2017) An Introduction to Modelling Abundance and Life History Parameters in Shark Populations. Advances in Marine Biology, 78: 45-87 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2017.08.001
KAI, M. & THORSON, J.T. & PINER, K.R. & MAUNDER, M.N. (2017) Spatiotemporal variation in size-structured populations using fishery data: an application to shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Pacific Ocean. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 74 (11): 1765-1780 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2016-0327
KESSEL, S.T. & ELAMIN, N.A. & YURKOWSKI, D.J. & CHEKCHAK, T. & WALTER, R.P. & KLAUS, R. & HILL, G. & HUSSEY, N.E. (2017) Conservation of reef manta rays (Manta alfredi) in a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Large-scale island development or sustainable tourism?. Plos One, 12 (10): e0185419 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0185419
KING, J. & MCFARLANE, G.A. & GERTSEVA, V. & GASPER, J. & MATSON, S. & TRIBUZIO, C.A. (2017) Shark Interactions With Directed and Incidental Fisheries in the Northeast Pacific Ocean: Historic and Current Encounters, and Challenges for Shark Conservation. Advances in Marine Biology, 78: 9-44 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2017.09.003
KRITSKY, D.C. & BULLARD, S.A. & BAKENHASTER, M.D. & SCHARER, R.M. & POULAKIS, G.R. (2017) Resurrection of Mycteronastes (Monogenoidea: Monocotylidae), with Description of Mycteronastes caalusi n. sp. from Olfactory Sacs of the Smalltooth Sawfish, Pristis pectinata (Pristiformes: Pristidae), in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida. Journal of Parasitology, 103 (5): 477-485 http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/17-40
LARSON, S.E. & LOWRY, D. (2017) Introduction to Northeast Pacific Shark Biology, Research, and Conservation, Part B. Advances in Marine Biology, 78: 1-8 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2017.09.001
LEWIS, J.P. & PATTERSON, W.F. & CARLSON, J.K. (2017) Natural variability and effects of cleaning and storage procedures on vertebral chemistry of the blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus. Journal of Fish Biology, 91 (5): 1284-1300 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13462
LOWRY, D. (2017) Conclusions: The Future of Shark Management and Conservation in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Advances in Marine Biology, 78: 155-164 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2017.09.002
MAIA, A. & LAUDER, G.V. & WILGA, C.D. (2017) Hydrodynamic function of dorsal fins in spiny dogfish and bamboo sharks during steady swimming. Journal of Experimental Biology, 220 (21): 3967-3975 http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.152215
MÁRQUEZ-FARÍAS, J.F. & LARA-MENDOZA, R.E. (2017) Occurrence of a juvenile white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in the southeastern Gulf of California, Mexico. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 45 (5): 1059-1063 http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol45-issue5-fulltext-21
MIERAS, P.A. & HARVEY-CLARK, C. & BEAR, M. & HODGIN, G. & HODGIN, B. (2017) The Economy of Shark Conservation in the Northeast Pacific: The Role of Ecotourism and Citizen Science. Advances in Marine Biology, 78: 121-153 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.amb.2017.08.003
MORENO, B. & GONZALEZ-PESTANA, A. (2017) Southernmost record of the Giant Manta Ray Mobula birostris (Walbaum, 1792) in the Eastern Pacific. Marine Biodiversity Records, 10: 27 http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s41200-017-0130-1
NAIDOO, K. & CHUTURGOON, A.A. & CLIFF, G. & ELLIS, M.T. & OTWAY, N.M. & GREGORY, M.A. & SINGH, S.D. & NAIDU, S.L. (2017) Dentition facilitates the release of encapsulated Ragged-tooth Shark (Carcharias taurus) embryos. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 100 (10): 1343-1354 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10641-017-0647-5
NORMAN, B.M. & HOLMBERG, J.A. &ARZOUMANIAN, Z. & REYNOLDS, S.D. & WILSON, R.P. & ROB, D. & PIERCE, S.J. & GLEISS, A.C. & DE LA PARRA, R. & GALVAN, B. & RAMIREZ-MACIAS, D. & ROBINSON, D. & FOX, S. & GRAHAM, R. & ROWAT, D. & POTENSKI, M. & LEVINE, M. & MCKINNEY, J.A. & HOFFMAYER, E. & DOVE, A.D.M. & HUETER, R. & PONZO, A. & ARAUJO, G. & ACA, E. & DAVID, D. & REES, R. & DUNCAN, A. & ROHNER, C.A. & PREBBLE, C.E.M. & HEARN, A. & ACUNA, D. & BERUMEN, M.L. & VÁZQUEZ, A. & GREEN, J. & BACH, S.S. & SCHMIDT, J.V. & BEATTY, S.J. & MORGAN, D.L. (2017) Undersea Constellations: The Global Biology of an Endangered Marine Megavertebrate Further Informed through Citizen Science. BioScience, in press: 1–15 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biosci/bix127
NORMAN, B.M. & WHITTY, J.M. & BEATTY, S.J. & REYNOLDS, S.D. & MORGAN, D.L. (2017) Do they stay or do they go? Acoustic monitoring of whale sharks at Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia. Journal of Fish Biology, in press http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13461
PALACIOS-BARRETO, P. & CRUZ, V.P. & FORESTI, F. & RANGEL, B.D. & URIBE-ALCOCER, M. & DIAZ-JAIMES, P. (2017) Molecular evidence supporting the expansion of the geographical distribution of the Brazilian cownose ray Rhinoptera brasiliensis (Myliobatiformes: Rhinopteridae) in the western Atlantic. Zootaxa, 4341 (4): 593-600 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4341.4.11
PARZANINI, C. & PARRISH, C.C. & HAMEL, J.F. & MERCIER, A. (2017) Trophic ecology of a deep-sea fish assemblage in the Northwest Atlantic. Marine Biology, 164 (10): 206 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3236-4
PRADEEP, H.D. & SHIRKE, S.S. & NASHAD, M. & SUKHAM, M.D. (2017) A first record of the Smallfin Gulper Shark Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860 (Chondrichthyes: Squaliformes: Centrophoridae) from the Andaman & Nicobar waters, Indian EEZ. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 9 (11): 10899–10903 j http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.3315.9.11.10899-10903
RAMÍREZ-AMARO, S. & PICORNELL, A. & ARENAS. M. & CASTRO, J.A. & MASSUTÍ, E. & RAMON, M.M. & TERRASA, B. (2017) Contrasting evolutionary patterns in populations of demersal sharks throughout the western Mediterranean. Marine Biology, 165: 3 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3254-2
REYNOLDS, S.D. & NORMAN, B.M. & BEGER, M. & FRANKLIN, C.E. & DWYER, R.G. (2017) Movement, distribution and marine reserve use by an endangered migratory giant. Diversity and Distributions, 23 (11): 1268-1279 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12618
ROGERS, T.D. & CAMBIÈ, G. & KAISER, M.J. (2017) Determination of size, sex and maturity stage of free swimming catsharks using laser photogrammetry. Marine Biology, 164 (11): 213 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3241-7
RUSSO, R. & GIORDANO, D. & PAREDI, G. & MARCHESANI, F. & MILAZZO, L. & ALTOMONTE, G. & DEL CANALE, P. & ABBRUZZETTI, S. & ASCENZI, P. & DI PRISCO, G. & VIAPPIANI, C. & FAGO, A. & BRUNO, S. & SMULEVICH, G. & VERDE, C. (2017) The Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus—Hemoglobins and ligand-binding properties. PLoS ONE, 12(10): e0186181 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186181
SOUTH, J. & DICK, J.T.A. (2017) Effects of acute and chronic temperature changes on the functional responses of the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758) towards amphipod prey Echinogammarus marinus (Leach, 1815). Environmental Biology of Fishes, 100 (10): 1251-1263 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10641-017-0640-z
SPERONE, E. & RIJLLO, G. & BEVACQUA, L. & CHIRIACO, S. & GIOVANNELLI, P. & CIRCOSTA, V. & FABIETTI, V. & RANIERI, A. & GIGLIO, G. & REINERO, F.R. & SANTORO, A. & MICARELLI, P. (2017) Do environmental factors affect the surf ace behavior of white sharks? Abstract. EEA 2017, Amsterdam
TALWAR, B. & BROOKS, E.J. & MANDELMAN, J.W. & GRUBBS, R.D. (2017) Stress, post-release mortality, and recovery of commonly discarded deep-sea sharks caught on longlines. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 582: 147-161 http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps12334
VAUDO, J.J. & WETHERBEE, B.M. & HARVEY, G.C.M. & HARVEY, J.C. & PREBBLE, A.J.F. & CORCORAN, M.J. & POTENSKI, M.D. & BRUNI, K.A. & LEAF, R.T. & HENNINGSEN, A.D. & COLLIE, J.S. & SHIVJI, M.S. (2017) Characterisation and monitoring of one of the world’s most valuable ecotourism animals, the southern stingray at Stingray City, Grand Cayman. Marine and Freshwater Research, in press http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF17030
VAZQUEZ, J.A. & BLANCO, M. & MASSA, A.E. & AMADO, I.R. & PEREZ-MARTIN, R.I. (2017) Production of Fish Protein Hydrolysates from Scyliorhinus canicula Discards with Antihypertensive and Antioxidant Activities by Enzymatic Hydrolysis and Mathematical Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology. Marine Drugs, 15 (10): 306 http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/md15100306
WARD-PAIGE, C.A. & WORM, B. (2017) Global evaluation of shark sanctuaries. Global Environmental Change, 47: 174-189 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2017.09.005
WEIGMANN, S. (2017) The western Indian Ocean as a newly discovered biodiversity hotspot for deep-water catsharks of the genus Bythaelurus, with presentation of a new species. EEA 2017, Amsterdam: 70
WERRY, J.M. (2017) Investigation of fine-scale white shark movement with potential for identification of white shark pupping grounds in South-West Australia. Report, Western Australian Government for Exemption, Permit 2887
WHITE, W.T. & EBERT, D.A. & NAYLOR, G.J.P. (2017) Revision of the genus Centrophorus (Squaliformes: Centrophoridae): Part 2—Description of two new species of Centrophorus and clarification of the status of Centrophorus lusitanicus Barbosa du Bocage & de Brito Capello, 1864. Zootaxa, 4344 (1): 86–114 j http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4344.1.3
WUERINGER, B.E. (2017) Sawfish captures in the Queensland Shark Control Program, 1962 to 2016. Endangered Species Research, 34: 293–300 http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/esr00853
YANO, T. & HATTORI, T. & TAMUKAI, T. & OHSHIMO, S. (2017) Body-length frequency and spatial segregation of the North Pacific spiny dogfish Squalus suckleyi in Tsugaru Strait, northern Japan. Fisheries Science, 83 (6): 917–928 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12562-017-1127-8
YANO, T. & OHSHIMO, S. & KANAIWA, M. & HATTORI, T. & FUKUWAKA, M. & NAGASAWA, T. & TANAKA, S. (2017) Spatial distribution analysis of the North Pacific spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyi, in the North Pacific using generalized additive models. Fisheries Oceanography, 26 (6): 668-679 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fog.12225

Extinct Chondrichthyes:

BURROW, C.J. & TURNER, S. & MAISEY, J.G. & DESBIENS, S. & MILLER, R.F. (2017) Spines of the stem chondrichthyan Doliodus latispinosus (Whiteaves) comb. nov. from the Lower Devonian of eastern Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 54 (12): 1248-1262 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2017-0059
DUFFIN, C.J. & MILÀN, J. (2017) A new myriacanthid holocephalian from the Early Jurassic of Denmark. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, 65: 161–170
ENGELBRECHT, A. & MÖRS, T. & REGUERO, M.A. & KRIWET, J. (2017) New carcharhiniform sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the early to middle Eocene of Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, e1371724 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2017.1371724
HODNETT, J.-P.M. & LUCAS, S.G. (2017) Paleoichthyological assemblages of the Upper Carboniferous-Lower Permian of Socorro County, New Mexico. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Bulletin 77: 133-138
KRIWET, J. (2017) Der Hai Janasss bituminosa aus dem Tecklenburger Land. In: Erdgeschichten. Geologie im Ruhr Museum: 128-129
MARRAMÀ, G. & KRIWET, J. (2017) Principal component and discriminant analyses as powerful tools to support taxonomic identification and their use for functional and phylogenetic signal detection of isolated fossil shark teeth. PLoS ONE, 12 (11): e0188806 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188806
VAN VLIET, H.J. & SCHULP, A.S. & GEBELY, A.M.M. & ABU EL-KHEIR & PAIJMANS, T.M. & BOSSELAERS, M. & UNDERWOOD, C.J. (2017) A new Oligocene site with terrestrial mammals and a selachian fauna from Minqar Tibaghbagh, the Western Desert of Egypt. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 62 (3): 509-525 http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.00341.2017
ZALAT, A.A. & KHALIL, H.M. & FATHY, M.S. & TAREK, R.M. (2017) Taxonomy and morphological study on the vertebrate remains of Shark and rays fauna from the Middle and Late Eocene succession, Fayoum Depression, Egypt. Delta Journal of Science, 38: 202 -217

Parasites:

CUTMORE, S.C. & BENNETT, M.B. & MILLER, T.L. & CRIBB, T.H. (2017) Patterns of specificity and diversity in species of Paraorygmatobothrium Ruhnke, 1994 (Cestoda: Phyllobothriidae) in Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia, with the description of four new species. Systematic Parasitology, 94 (9): 941-970 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11230-017-9759-8
LI, W.T. & LO, C. & SU, C.Y. & KUO, H. & LIN, S.J. & CHANG, H.W. & PANG, V.F. & JENG, C.R. (2017) Locally extensive meningoencephalitis caused by Miamiensis avidus (syn. Philasterides dicentrarchi) in a zebra shark. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 126 (2):167-172 http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/dao03166

MISCELLANEOUS:

Boy, 7, left with bizarre circular bite injury after being attacked by rare 'COOKIE CUTTER' shark

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT
A young boy has received a bizarre injury after being bitten by a rare shark
Jack Tolley, 7, was bitten by a cookiecutter shark while swimming in north QLD
He lost a chunk of flesh from his calf stretching 73mm after the attack

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5038033/Boy-receives-bizarre-injury-rare-shark-attack.html

Sharks evolved aircraft-like attributes to suit habitats

Date:: November 27, 2017
Source:: Saint Louis University
Summary:: Researchers report that shark species have evolved diverse physical attributes to help them thrive in different ocean ecosystems.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171127152041.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Ffish+%28Fish+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

The enigmatic endangered whale shark: 22-year-long global citizen science project sheds light on these animals

Date:: November 29, 2017
Source:: Georgia Aquarium
Summary:: Vital scientific information about whale shark behavior, biology and ecology is being uncovered by an unlikely source -- ecotourists and other citizens. Thanks to modern advancements in technology and the burgeoning field of 'citizen science,' new information about gregarious and mysterious whale sharks is being revealed in a study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171129131442.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Ffish+%28Fish+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

Scientists track sharks by picking up DNA fragments from the sea

Date:: December 4, 2017
Source:: University of Salford
Summary:: Traces of DNA in the sea can be used to monitor shark populations, marine ecologists have shown. Current methods of baiting, hooking and filming sharks, rays and other large fish are invasive and costly and require teams of scientists spending much time at sea, they say.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171204091719.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fplants_animals%2Fsea_life+%28Sea+Life+News+--+ScienceDaily%29