NEWSLETTER 02/2022 09.02.2022

NEW PARTNERS OF SHARK-REFERENCES

Job advertisement:

Prof. Dr. Catalina Pimiento Hernandez sent us the following information about the open postdoc position:

Palaeontological Institute and Museum
 
Open postdoctoral position
Shark extinction mechanisms
 
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in computer science or computational biology/geology to develop new methods to analyze paleo-biological data. The postdoc will have access to large fossil datasets and will use them to make inferences about evolutionary processes. Their research will focus on implementing new models to assess the role of biotic and abiotic factors on shark extinction rates using Bayesian and/or machine learning algorithms. The details of the projects will be developed together with the postdoc based on their interests and skills.
 
Required skills:

• PhD in Biology, Earth Sciences or Computer Science
• Excellent ability to communicate and write in English
• Demonstrated ability to program in R or Python
• Experience with Bayesian methods and/or machine learning algorithms
• Knowledge in the fields of macro-evolutionary biology, paleontology, ecology
• Strong publication record

1. Short cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining background, motivation and research interests.
2. A CV including any publications, pre-prints, or manuscripts, if applicable.
3. Contact information for 2-3 referees who may be contacted during the evaluation process.

 
The deadline to apply is April 1st (included) but applications will be considered until the position is filled. Candidates will be evaluated by a committee and those shortlisted will be invited for an interview (by Zoom or in person) in the June 2022. The selected candidate is expected to start in August 2022 (negotiable).





Would you like to become a shark-reference partner? Please contact us per E-mail!

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New Images

https://shark-references.com/species/view/Galeorhinus-ypresiensis

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.

At the moment we are looking for some of the following papers:


Extinct Chondrichthyes:

ALVINERIE, J. & ANDREIEFF, P. & ANGLADA, R. & AUBERT, J. & CAPPETTA, H. & CARALP, M. & CARATINI, C. & CARBONNEL, G. & CATZIGRAS, F. & COURME-RAULT, M.-D. & CHATEAUNEUF, J.-J. & DEMARCQ, G. & DUCASSE, O. & FATTON, E. & GLAÇON, G. & LABRACHERIE, M. & LAURIAT, A. & LE CALVEZ, Y. & LORENZ, C. & MAGNE, J. & MARGEREL, J.-P. & POIGNANT, A. & PUJOL, C. & ROGER, J. & ROMAN, J. & BLONDEAU, A. & MULLER, C. (1973) A propos de la limite oligo-miocène: résultats préliminaires d'une recherche collective sur les gisements d'Escornébéou (Saint-Géours-de-Maremne, Landes, Aquitaine méridionale). Présence de Globigerinoides dans les faunes de l'Oligocène supérieur. Comptes rendus sommaires des séances de la Société géologique de France: 75–76

Numano, M. (1993) Some Neogene shark-teeth from Mogami area, Yamagata Prefecture. Applied Geology of Yamagata, 13: 32–49

Mendiola, C. (2004) Primera cita española del género Ptychodus AGASSIZ 1839 (Chondrichthyes, Euselachii). Revista de la Societat Paleontológica d'Elx, 13: 1–14

Mendiola, C. & López, A. (2005) La ictiofauna fósil (Chondrichthyes, Euselachii) del Serravalliense de Alicante (Sureste de España). Revista de la Societat Paleontológica d'Elx, 14: 1–51


Extant Chondrichthyes:

Marini, T.L.  (1935) Nota sobre una raya argentina. Physis, 11(40): 503–506

KAMOHARA, T. (1943) Some unrecorded and two new fishes from Prov. Tosa, Japan. Bulletin of the Biogeographical Society of Japan, 13 (17): 125–137

Whitley, G.P. (1951) New fish names and records. Proceedings of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, 1949–1950: 61–68

WEIBEZAHN, F.H. (1953) Una nueva especie de Scyliorhinus de Venezuela (Chondrichthyes - Elasmobranchii). Novedades cientificas. Serie zoológica. Museo de Historia Natural La Salle, 9: 1–7.

SMITH, J.L.B. (1958) The mystery killer, the new shark Carcharhinus vanrooyeni. Veld & Vlei, 3 (9): 12–14, 28.

Guitart-Manday, D.J.  (1972) Un nuevo género y especies de tiburón de la Familia Triakidae. Poeyana(Ser.A), 1972(99): 1–4

GUBANOV, E.P. & SCHLEIB, N.A. (1980) Sharks of the Arabian Gulf. Kuwait Ministry of Public Works, Agracultural Department, Fisheries Division. Sharks of the Arabian Gulf.: 1–69

DOLGANOV, V.N. (1983) Rukovodstvo po opredeleniyu khryashchevykh ryb dal'nevostochnykh morei SSSR i sopredel'nykh vod. [Manual for identification of cartilaginous fishes of Far East seas of USSR and adjacent waters.] TINRO, Vladivostok. Rukovodstvo po opredeleniyu khryashchevykh ryb dal'nevostochnykh morei SSSR i sopredel'nykh vod.: 92 pp.

Crane, N.L. & Heine, J.N. (1992) Observations of the prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei) in Monterey Bay, California. California Fish and Game, 78(4), 166–168


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:

Oceania Chondrichthyan Society (OCS) Virtual Conference 2022
March 30 – 31, 2022 Virtual
https://www.oceaniasharks.org.au/ocs-virtual-conference-2022
We are pleased to introduce our plenary speaker for the OCS virtual conference, Juney Ward. Juney works for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) as the Ecosystem and Biodiversity Officer. Before taking on her current role, she was previously the Shark and Ray Conservation Officer where she worked to support SPREP member countries to strengthen shark and ray conservation and management measures through the establishment of sanctuaries and/or protected areas and implementation of obligations under CITES and CMS. Juney will be presenting on shark and ray conservation in the South Pacific, as well as the Shark and Ray Action Plan developed by SPREP. Please submit your abstracts by January 21, 2022 to ocsnewsletters@ gmail.com Each presentation will be 10 minutes with 5 minutes for questions.

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37th Annual Scientific Meeting American Elasmobranch Society (AES)
July 27 – 31, 2022 (Dates subject to change)
Spokane, WA, USA
elasmo.org asih.org/meetings
The American Elasmobranch Society is a non-profit organization that seeks to advance the scientific study of living and fossil sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras, and the promotion of education, conservation, and wise utilization of natural resources. The Society holds annual meetings and presents research reports of interest to professionals and students of elasmobranch biology. Those meetings are held in conjunction with annual meetings of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists each year at rotating North American venues.

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5th International Marine ProtectedAreas Congress (IMPAC5)
September 1 – 8, 2022 Vancouver, Canada
impac5.ca
International Marine Protected Areas Congresses (IMPAC) are an opportunity for the global community of marine conservation managers and practitioners to exchange knowledge, experience and best practices to strengthen the conservation of marine biodiversity and to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the ocean. IMPAC5 will be jointly hosted by the Host First Nations — Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-waututh Nation — together with the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IMPAC5 is an opportunity to bring together Indigenous peoples and cultures from around the world to embrace a collaborative approach and learn from Indigenous leadership in ocean conservation. Join thousands of marine protected area professionals from around the world to chart a course towards protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. Learn about traditional marine protection practices and innovative sustainability initiatives from local and international indigenous experts.

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Sharks International Conference 2022 (SI2022)
October 10 – 14, 2022 (online virtual conference)
October 20 – 22, 2022 (physical in-person conference)
Valencia, Spain
si2022.org
SI2022 is a hybrid event in October 2022 that will bring together a strong community of people from across the world interested in sharks and rays, all in the name of addressing the challenge of elasmobranch conservation in this Decade of Ocean Science. In association with the European Elasmobranch Association (EEA) and hosted by the Shark Trust, Submon, and Lamna, the event will include five online days (October 10- 14th) featuring enhanced digital content on key themes in shark conservation, leading up to a three-day physical conference in Valencia (October 20th-22nd). The conference is funded by the Save our Seas Foundation and will be based out of L’Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, and streamed live across the world. If you are interested in sharks and rays and want to be a part of the 300+ member community currently shaping SI2022, sign up to the portal at si2022.org. Join this year to be automatically entitled to a 10% discount when tickets become available.


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Ito, N. & Fujii, M. & Nohara, K. & Tanaka, S. (2022): Scyliorhinus hachijoensis, a new species of catshark from the Izu Islands, Japan (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae). Zootaxa, 5092(3), 331–349
New species: Scyliorhinus hachijoensis
Abstract: A new species of catshark genus Scyliorhinus, S. hachijoensis sp. nov., is described for the islands of Mikurajima, Hachijojima, and Torishima in southeastern Japan. Scyliorhinus hachijoensis has clasper hooks, which is a common feature in males of the most closely related species (S. torazame), but is distinguished by its coloration (presence of dark spots), the height of its anal fin (higher than the caudal peduncle), and the shape of pectoral and pelvic fins, and dermal denticles. Molecular data also corroborates the new species as a distinct and monophyletic taxon by nucleotide sequence analysis of three mitochondrial DNA regions.


Extinct Chondrichthyes:

Pollerspöck, J. & Straube, N. (2021): Phylogenetic placement and description of an extinct genus and species of kitefin shark based on tooth fossils (Squaliformes: Dalatiidae). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 19(15), 1083–1096
New species: Dracipinna bracheri
Abstract: In this study we describe a new kitefin shark (Dalatiidae) genus and species Dracipinna bracheri gen. et sp. nov. based on upper Oligocene and lower Miocene tooth fossils. The teeth were excavated at three different sites which all lie in transgression phases. The fossil shark teeth are diverse and, depending on the excavation site, indicate pelagic to mesopelagic habitats. As these fossils were not found in older or younger sediments, we suggest a patchy distribution of the species. The fossils show several dental morphological characteristics of extant Dalatiidae. Phylogenetic analyses of combined morphological and DNA sequence-based data set suggest a weakly supported sister-group relationship of D. bracheri to extant Dalatiidae. Based on the dental morphological characters, we assign the dentition to a tearing type, which is rare among squaliform sharks and only known from a single extant species with a pelagic lifestyle.


Parasites:

Ota, Y. & Kurashima, A. & Horie, T. (2022): First Record of Elasmobranch Hosts for the Gnathiid Isopod Crustacean Thaumastognathia: Description of Thaumastognathia bicorniger sp. nov. Zoological Science, 39(1), 124–139
New species: Thaumastognathia bicorniger
Abstract: Gnathiid larvae (Crustacea; Isopoda; Gnathiidae) infesting elasmobranch and holocephalan fishes from mainly bathyal depths off Suruga Bay, off Kume-jima Island, and five sites from off Tokyo Bay to Shimoda City, Japan were examined. A total of 1460 gnathiid larvae were sampled from 87 host individuals belonging to seven families and 10 species. The morphology of these larvae was distinguishable from other gnathiid species by the head appendages. These larvae presented two pigmentation patterns, stripes or spots, on their dorsal thoraxes in live specimens. Furthermore, they were determined as the second and third stage praniza larvae on the basis of allometric variance of maximum head and abdomen widths. A third stage praniza with stripe pigmentation metamorphosed into an adult male and could be identified as a new species of the genus Thaumastognathia Monod, 1926. The duration between detachment from the host and metamorphosis into male adult required 204 days. This paper describes Thaumastognathia bicorniger sp. nov. on the basis of P3/stripe larvae and the male adult. This report is the first record of the larva and host information for a species of Thaumastognathia.
 
Javadi, L. & Haseli, M. (2022): Two New Cestode Species of Phoreiobothrium (Onchoproteocephalidea) from Two Carcharhinid Sharks of the Persian Gulf, with the First Report of Variation in Distribution of Vitelline Follicles of the Genus. Acta Parasitologica, in press
New species: Phoreiobothrium sarahae, Phoreiobothrium iraniense
Abstract: Purpose
The aim of this work was the morphological study of the onchoproteocephalidean cestodes from two shark species of the Persian Gulf.
Methods
Several specimens of Rhizoprionodon oligolinx, as well as of Carcharhinus dussumieri, were collected from the Persian Gulf, and the isolated cestodes from them were studied morphologically by light and scanning electron microscopy.
Results
Phoreiobothrium sarahae n. sp. and Phoreiobothrium iraniense n. sp. were isolated, respectively, from Rhizoprionodon oligolinx Springer and Carcharhinus dussumieri (Müller & Henle). Both species are quite distinct from their congeners, except for P. sorrahcola Masoumi Ganjgah & Haseli, 2020, in the distribution of the vitelline follicles (i.e., having more than two columns of vitelline follicles in each lateral band in the proglottids) and are distinguished from each other based on measurement, e.g., by the length of the cephalic peduncle, the width of the scolex at the level of hooks, and some measures related to the hooks. Phoreiobothrium iraniense n. sp. most closely resembles P. sorrahcola, earlier described from C. sorrah (Müller & Henle) from the Persian Gulf, with which it has an extensive overlap in the ranges of measurements and morphology. Nonetheless, it differs from P. sorrahcola in the length of the cephalic peduncle and possessing, rather than lacking, the gladiate spinitriches on the proximal bothridial surfaces.
Conclusion
Along with the description of the two new species increasing the number of members of the genus in the Iranian coastal waters from three to five, for the first time a variation in distribution of the vitelline follicles is reported for Phoreiobothrium in this paper.
 
Van Der Spuy, L. & Smit, N.J. & Schaeffner, B.C. (2022): Threatened, host-specific affiliates of a red-listed host: Three new species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1849 (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) from the endangered white skate, Rostroraja alba (Lacepede). International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 17, 114–126
New species: Acanthobothrium umbungus, Acanthobothrium usengozinius, Acanthobothrium ulondolozus
Abstract: The white skate, Rostroraja alba (Lacépède), is listed as an endangered species, the second-highest category before being declared extinct in the wild, in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This species is heavily affected by anthropogenic impacts such as capture induced stress by overfishing and by-catch, habitat degradation and pollution that caused a drastic decline in populations in recent years. As part of a larger study on elasmobranch affiliates in southern Africa, two specimens of R. alba were screened. Three species of the tapeworm genus Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1849 (Cestoda: Onchoproteocephalidea) were discovered. Application of Ghoshroy and Caira's classification system facilitated the differentiation of congeners through a combination of specific morphological characteristics. As a consequence, three species new to science are described herein, namely Acanthobothrium umbungus n. sp., Acanthobothrium usengozinius n. sp., and Acanthobothrium ulondolozus n. sp. In light of these new discoveries from an endangered host, it is apparent to address the conservation status of its affiliate species, that co-evolved with their elasmobranch hosts for millions of years, thereby creating unique and intimate host-parasite interrelationships. Currently, altering environmental conditions caused by anthropogenic pressures have direct impacts on this host-parasite system with increasing risks of extinction. As merely 9% of elasmobranchs in South African waters have been examined for endohelminths and other affiliate taxa, extensive studies on these organisms and their hosts implementing multisource approaches are needed. This will provide a better understanding on the intimate nature of host-parasite systems that may lead to new prospects in conservation science and the preservation of threatened host species, such as R. alba, together with their unique fauna of affiliate species.
 
Kamachali, M.S. & Haseli, M. (2022): Three new species of Anthobothrium van Beneden, 1850 (Cestoda: "Tetraphyllidea") from the grey sharpnose shark Rhizoprionodon oligolinx Springer, 1964 (Carcharhinidae) in the Persian Gulf. Parasitology Research, 121(1), 143–154
New species: Anthobothrium parimae, Anthobothrium shayani, Anthobothrium samae
Abstract: The sampling of 22 specimens of Rhizoprionodon oligolinx Springer from the Persian Gulf made possible the description of three new species of Anthobothrium van Beneden, 1850. Anthobothrium parimae sp. nov. is different from its congeners, except for A. altavelae Neifar, Euzet and Ben Hassine, 2002, A. lyndoni Ruhnke and Caira, 2009, and A. lesteri Williams, Burt and Caira, 2004, in the total length. It differs from A. altavelae in the number of the proglottids; from A. lyndoni in the length of the mature proglottids; and from A. lesteri Williams, Burt and Caira, 2004 in possessing one hemicircular band, rather than two circular bands, of musculature in its bothridia. The other two new species, being the smallest in size within the genus, most closely resemble each other but differ in the position of the genital pore in the proglottid, the number of post-vaginal testes, the number of the ventral and dorsal columns of vitelline follicles in each lateral band, and the distribution of the gladiate spinitriches on the strobila. These three new species are the only “tetraphyllidean” species reported to date from the southern waters of Iran. In addition, for the first time, more than two congeners belonging to Anthobothrium are reported from the same host species sympatrically and simultaneously. The morphological variation within this genus is also discussed.

PLEASE send your new papers to
juergen.pollerspoeck@shark-references.com or 
nicolas.straube@shark-references.com   

Latest Research Articles

 Amadori, M. & Kindlimann, R. & Fornaciari, E. & Giusberti, L. & Kriwet, J. (2022): A new cuspidate ptychodontid shark (Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii), from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco with comments on tooth functionalities and replacement patterns. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 187, Article 104440 https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104440
Bobe, R. & Aldeias, V. & Alemseged, Z. & Archer, W. & Aumaître, G. & Bamford, M.K. & Biro, D. & Bourlès, D.L. & Braun, D.R. & Capelli, C. & Coelho d’Oliveira, J. & Habermann, J.M. & Head, J.J. & Keddadouche, K. & Kupczik, K. & Lebatard, A.-E. & Lüdecke, T. & Macôa, A. & Martínez, F.I. & Mathe, J. & Mendes, C. & Paulo, L.M. & Pinto, M. & Püschel, T.A. & Regala, F.T. & Sier, M. & Ferreira da Silva, M.J. & Stalmans, M. & Carvalho, S. (2022): The First Miocene Fossils from Coastal Woodlands in the Southern East African Rift. iScience, in press https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3941489
Boessenecker, R.W. & Gibson, M.L. (2022): Dermal tubercles and bucklers of gigantic stingrays (Dasyatidae) from the Pleistocene of South Carolina and the stratigraphic origin of “Ceratoptera unios” Leidy, 1877. Paläontologische Zeitschrift, in press https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12542-021-00592-5
Höltke, O. & Maxwell, E.E. & Pollerspöck, J. & Rasser, M.W. (2022): The shark and ray fauna of the Upper Marine Molasse (Lower Miocene) of Rengetsweiler (Baden- Württemberg, SW Germany). Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, 303(1), 89–122  https://dx.doi.org/10.1127/njgpa/2022/1038
Pollerspöck, J. & Straube, N. (2021): Phylogenetic placement and description of an extinct genus and species of kitefin shark based on tooth fossils (Squaliformes: Dalatiidae). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 19(15), 1083–1096 https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2021.2012537
Rakshit, N. & Ray, S. (2022): Bone-bearing coprolites from the Upper Triassic of India: ichnotaxonomy, probable producers and predator-prey relationships. Papers in Palaeontology, in press https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1418
Sternes, P.C. & Wood, J.J. & Shimada, K. (2022): Body forms of extant lamniform sharks (Elasmobranchii: Lamniformes), and comments on the morphology of the extinct megatooth shark, Otodus megalodon, and the evolution of lamniform thermophysiology. Historical Biology, in press https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2021.2025228
Stumpf, S. & Meng, S. & Kriwet, J. (2022): Diversity Patterns of Late Jurassic Chondrichthyans: New Insights from a Historically Collected Hybodontiform Tooth Assemblage from Poland. Diversity, 14, Article 85 https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d14020085
 
   

MISCELLANEOUS:

Lighted nets dramatically reduce bycatch of sharks and other wildlife while making fishing more efficient

LED illuminated nets reduce bycatch of sharks and skates by an incredible 95 percent while maintaining catch rates of target species

Date: January 21, 2022

Source: Wildlife Conservation Society

Summary: In a win-win for commercial fisheries and marine wildlife, researchers have found that using lighted nets greatly reduced accidental bycatch of sharks, rays, sea turtles, and unwanted finfish.

Full story

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Squatina mapama, new species from Panama: first report of an angel shark from the Central American Caribbean

Date: January 24, 2022

Source: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

Summary: Genetic analyses helped identify a new cryptic shark species of the genus Squatina from the Western Atlantic Ocean.

Full story

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New research bites holes into theories about Megalodons

Extinct shark’s shape swims back out of focus

Date: February 7, 2022

Source: University of California - Riverside

Summary: A new study leaves large tooth marks in previous conclusions about the body shape of the Megalodon, one of the largest sharks that ever lived.

Full story

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From the German Bight into the deep sea: The amazing migration of tope

Date: February 7, 2022
Scientists from the Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries have demonstrated for the first time that the domestic shark species displays a profound change in swimming behavior when migrating from the shallow North Sea around Helgoland island into the open ocean

Full story

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Issue 04 | January 2022 is out!