NEWSLETTER 09/2023 13.09.2023

• Senior spatial ecologist:
  https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/get-involved/vacancies/jobs
   
• Senior fisheries quantitive ecologist:
  https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/get-involved/vacancies/jobs
   
• PhD in Ecological Genomics - Genomic impacts of fisheries induced selection in the North Atlantic:
  https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/246400/phd-in-ecological-genomics-genomic-impacts-of-fisheries-induced-selection-in-the-north-atlantic
   
• Post-doctoral project: Population ecology and genomics of porbeagle sharks using eDNA- As part of the Biodiversa+ eWHALE project (https://ewhale.eu/), we are currently seeking a 24-month postdoctoral researcher to study porbeagle sharks'  population ecology and genetics in Brittany (France), using eDNA methods.

NEW PARTNERS OF SHARK-REFERENCES

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

NEW SECTION: From now on, we will report last month’s most popular three papers from our Shark References Facebook page:

Nr. 1 (43 Likes/Emojis, 13 Shares):

New records of the Smalltooth Sand tiger shark
Three #Odontaspis ferox were found in the English Channel and Celtic Sea in 2023. These are the first records of O. ferox in either country, and extend the species’ range by over three degrees of latitude, to >52°N. They were ~275 (female), 433 (female), and 293 cm (male) total length, respectively. These continue a series of new records, possibly indicative of a climate change induced shift in the species’ range.
Curnick, D.J. & Deaville, R. & Bortoluzzi, J.R. & Cameron, L. & Carlsson, J. & Carlsson, Je. & Dolton, H.R. & Gordon, C.A. & Hosegood, P. & Nilsson, A. & Perkins, M.W. & Purves, K.J. & Spiro, S. & Vecchiato, M. & Williams, R. & Payne, N.L. 2023 Northerly range expansion and first confirmed records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox, in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Journal of Fish Biology, in press
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jfb.15529
for a review of the records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark see a paper co-authord by a member of team Shark-references:
open access:
Barcelos, L.M.D. & Azeved, J.M.N. & Pollerspöck, J. & Barreiros, J.P. 2018 Review of the records of the smalltooth sand tiger shark, Odontaspis ferox (Elasmobranchii: Lamniformes: Odontaspididae), in the Azores. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 48(2), 189–194
https://www.researchgate.net/.../326251516_Review_of_the...
image: Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810), © Avi Klapfer, Undersea Hunter, Costa Rica
https://shark-references.com/species/view/Odontaspis-ferox

Nr. 2 (17 Likes/Emojis, 2 Shares):

open access
Chiaramonte, G.E. & Tamini, L.L. & Pettovello, A.D. & Gosztonyi, A.E. 2024 Annotated Systematic Checklist of the Ichthyofauna of the Ría Deseado (Patagonia, Argentina). Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, n.s. 25(2), 207–223
http://revista.macn.gov.ar/.../RevMus/article/view/765
We present the first complete and commented list of the ichthyofauna of the Ría Deseado (47°45´S, 65°55´W) and record the southernmost limit distribution of five species. The systematic checklist comprises 44 species belonging to 4 classes, 15 orders, 26 families, and 35 genera. The largest Families are Nototheniidae ( and Zoarcidae (6). The ichthyofauna is mainly composed of Magellanic fauna, while some Bonaerensean components are also present. Our results broaden the number of known fish species in the region, contributing as an input for the development of conservation and management plans for this area.
image: Fig. 7. Myliobatis ridens captured by Alejandro Pettovello at Caleta Tiburón, January 1996, thanks to Gustavo Enrique Chiaramonte for the paper


Nr. 3 (15 Likes/Emojis, 5 Shares):


open access!
Barbato, M. & Zampieri, C. & D'Acunto, S. & Pennino, M.G. & Barausse, A. & Mazzoldi, C. 2023 Too young to die: Mapping nursery areas for early juveniles of the endangered sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) to inform conservation in the Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Applied Ecology, in press
https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/.../1365-2664...
Abstract
Globally, elasmobranch species have been declining in abundance due to fishery activities. This conservation issue calls for effective management strategies and increasing efforts to protect these species. The declining status of elasmobranchs in the Mediterranean Sea is alarming as well. Reversing such dramatic trends requires tackling fishing pressure using multiple methods, including a fine-tuned spatial resolution in conservation strategies incorporating robust evidence on species spatial use at different life stages and its overlap with fishing pressure. In particular, a scientifically sound identification of nursery grounds is crucial to define key spatial management targets promoting the recruitment of such depleted species.
Here we focused on the sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), listed as endangered by the IUCN, and on the nursery of its early juveniles such as newborns (i.e. a few months old) and young-of-the-year individuals (i.e., < 1 year old), both characterized by a total length below 71 cm. First, by monitoring a small-scale fishery fleet in the North-Western Adriatic Sea, we unambiguously identified a local multiyear nursery site for early juveniles of this species.
https://shark-references.com/.../view/Carcharhinus-plumbeus
image: Carcharhinus plumbeus (Nardo, 1827), ERB 1241, female, 116, 4 TL © Frederik H. Mollen (Elasmobranch Research Belgium)

New Images

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:

new entry: Priem, R. (1920) Poissons fossils du Miocène d’Egypte. Burdigalien de Moghara, „Désert libyque“. In Fourtau: Contribution à l’étude des vertébrés miocènes de l’Egypte. Cairo 1920, pp. 8-15.

new entry: Arambourg, C. & Joleaud, L. (1943) Vertébrés fossiles du basin du Niger. Bulletin Direction des Mines, 7, 1–74

new entry:  Arambourg, C. (1954) Les Poissons Crétacés du Jebel Tselfat (Maroc). Notes et Mémoires du Service Géologique du Maroc, 118: 188 pp 18 Taf.

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

new entry:  Schmitz, L. (2003) Fischzähne (Neoselachii; Actinopterygii) aus dem Unter-Barremium von NW-Deutschland. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, 227, 175–199



Extant Chondrichthyes:

new entry: Trois, E.F. (1877 ) Notizie sopra l'Echinorhinus spinosus osservato per la prima volta nell'Adriatico. Atti del Reale Istituto Veneto di S. L. A., Serie 5(3), 1179-1183

Chu, Y.-T.  (1930) A new species of the swallow ray (Pteroplatea) from China. China Journal, 12(6): 357

new entry: Cipria, G.  (1937) Embrione di Echinorhinus spinosus Gmelin. Memorie R Comitato Talassografico Italiano, 245, 3–7 

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

Deng, S.-M. & Xiong, G.-Q. & Zhan, H.-X. (1988) The deep water fishes of the east China Sea. Xue Lin Publishing house: 356 pp.

new entry: Barry, J.P. & Maher, N. (2000) Observations of the prickly shark, Echinorhinus cookei, from the oxygen minimum zone in Santa Barbara Basin, California. California Fish and Game, 86(3), 213–215



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:

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Indo-Pacific Fish Conference and the Australian Society for Fish Biology

20-24 November 2023, Auckland, New Zealand
Keep me updated

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Auckland, located in the heart of Auckland city.  We invite you to come and meet the people that live and work here, explore our beautiful city and hope that you leave with lasting friends, partnerships and memories.

The Organising Committee look forward to welcoming you to the 11th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC) and Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Fish Biology, to be held 20-24 November 2023 at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

The Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (IPFC), held every four years, is undoubtedly one of the world’s premier ichthyological conferences and is eagerly anticipated by marine, estuarine and freshwater fish enthusiasts alike.

The Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB), founded in 1971, aims to promote research, education and management of fish and fisheries across the Indo-Pacific.

We are excited to bring these two conference together in a joint meeting that will reflect the extraordinary biological, environmental and cultural diversity of the vast Indo-Pacific region.

Auckland is a modern city offering a variety of cultural experiences, accommodation and entertainment options for every taste and budget. The city is a key regional hub, with transport connections to multiple cities across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and beyond.

The University of Auckland is an internationally recognised university that provides outstanding conference facilities and conference support within easy walking distance of the city centre. An exciting programme of conference field trips will allow attendees to sample the diversity of regional marine and freshwater ecosystems. Before or after the conference, delegates could explore Auckland’s magnificent Hauraki Gulf and its beautiful islands. The jewel of the gulf is Waiheke Island, a haven of vineyards, olive groves, beaches and fine dining, just a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. For an exciting day trip, discover the history and sandy coves of Rotoroa Island, explore the open wildlife sanctuary of Tiritiri Matangi Island or climb the volcanic cone of Rangitoto Island for incredible views from the summit. If you have a little more time, travel south for a summer holiday to discover the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds, encounter marine life in Abel Tasman National Park, enjoy New Zealand’s beautiful Bay of Islands, or maybe plan a field trip or tropical holiday on one of the many Pacific islands that are only a short flight away from Auckland.

We look forward to welcoming you to Auckland in 2023!

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The 8th edition of the
International Meeting on the Valorization and Preservation of Paleontological Heritage (RIV3P8)
November 23 - 25, 2023 (El Jadida - Morocco)
https://sites.google.com/view/riv3p8

You can, also, download the 1st circular at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jr1QuKXfsuP3_dee7HKoy_7CB8A9s_Fm?usp=share_link

Would you be so kind, dear colleague, to assure a large diffusion around your colleagues paleontologists, archaeologists and prehistorians, and anyone interested in the enhancement and preservation of geoheritage (natural and cultural) from the perspective of sustainable development (see the attached poster).. Many thanks in advance. The registration is open till September 15, 2023.

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Welcome

To the German Ichthyological Society

Save the Date - 19th Meeting of the Society for Ichthyology (GfI) e.V. October 12-15, 2023 at the University of Applied Sciences in Bremen

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From Early Life to the Neandertals

For the first time since founding of the Palaeontological Society (PalGes) in Greifswald 1912 the annual meeting takes place in Jena. This is only the second time in Thuringia since the 1925 meeting in Weimar. We, from the Institute of Geosciences (IGW) at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, are glad to invite the members of the Society to our city at the river Saale. The city is a special location, stretching along the river, which is carving into a Muschelkalk plateau with Buntsandstein outcropping below. The surrounding Muschelkalk heights provide marvellous sights over the city. Our institute is located on the slope of the Hausberg in the eastern part of Jena. It was re-founded 1992 and still grows with an increasing number of scientists. Jena houses the most important university of Thuringia and is also a flourishing economic centre with companies like ZEISS and SCHOTT, it is popular for its touristic sights and a wide range of restaurants. The Thuringian palaeontology has a long tradition and is famous for fossils from the Permian, Triassic and Quaternary. We can offer a diverse range of excursions covering fossil sites from the late Palaeozoic to the Quaternary. The organisation of the meeting is supported by colleagues from Thüringischer Geologischer Verein (TGV), Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein Gotha, Museum Schloss Bertholdsburg Schleusingen, Research Station of Quaternary Palaeontology Weimar, and Phyletical Museum Jena. We are looking forward to welcome you in Jena and hear your presentations at 94. Annual Meeting of the PalGes in Jena!

The first circular for the meeting was published today and can be downloaded HERE.

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https://whitesharksglobal.com/

The organising committee is pleased to announce the upcoming White Sharks Global conference (Sunday 12th – Friday 17th of November 2023) in Port Lincoln, South Australia, home of the world’s first white shark tourism industry.
 
White Sharks Global is the first international white shark conference in 13 years and will provide a forum for the white shark community and stakeholders to meet, share ideas, and update information and report on recent scientific studies. This conference and associated workshops will facilitate in-depth discussions of key challenges related to white sharks.
 
For more information visit: whitesharksglobal.com and follow @WhiteSharksGlob or contact info@whitesharksglobal.com
 
The last white shark-focused conference was in Hawaii 13 years ago in early 2010 and a lot has research and studies have happened since. 
 
We have planned for five days of conference, with one day free in the middle to allow for a dive trip to the Neptune Islands Group Marine Park. There will be several focused workshops (e.g., supporting the recovery of white shark populations, supporting the management of white shark tourism, managing human-shark conflict), contributed talk sessions (5- and 15-min talks), and poster sessions. Based on previous events and our survey, we are expecting ~150 attendants from across the globe, including research scientists, students, resource managers, public safety officials, wildlife tourism operators, environmental consultants, natural history-based production companies, and television network representatives from countries all over the world such as South Africa, United States, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and Canada.
 
[On behalf of the organising committee: Charlie Huveneers (Australia), Christopher Lowe (California), Alison Towner (South Africa), Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki (Mexico), Lauren Meyer (Australia), and Greg Skomal (northwest Atlantic)]

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Extinct Chondrichthyes:
no taxonomic news this month!


Parasites:
Rodriguez-Ibarra, E., Violante-Gonzalez, J. & Monks, S. (2023) Two new species of Acanthobothrium Blanchard, 1848 (Cestoda, Onchoproteocephalidea) from Urobatis jamaicensis (Cuvier, 1816) (Elasmobranchii, Batoidea, Myliobatiformes) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zookeys, (1169), 175–201
New species: Acanthobothrium garciaprietoi, Acanthobothrium pulidofloresae
Abstract: Eight specimens of Urobatis jamaicensis were collected from four localities of the Yu-catan Peninsula, Mexico, of which four specimens were infected with cestodes of two new species of Acanthobothrium. Acanthobothrium garciaprietoi sp. nov. differs from congeners by a combination of characters including the size of the scolex and bothridia, length of the cephalic peduncle, length of the axial and abaxial prongs and total length of the abaxial prongs of the hooks, size of the cirrus sac and testes in mature proglottids, and the total number of proglottids. The most prominent characteristic distinguishing A. pulidofloresae sp. nov. from other species of the Atlantic Ocean/Caribbean Sea/Gulf of Mexico is the form of the scolex, which has the "clover leaf" configuration. In addition, it can be distinguished by the total length of the worm, total number of proglottids, small accessory suckers, the form of the bothridia, length of the axial and abaxial prongs and total abaxial prong length of hooks, and the number of testes. According to the current category scheme, A. garciaprietoi sp. nov. and A. pulidofloresae sp. nov., belong to cat-egories 1 and 5, respectively.
 
Jimi, N., Shinji, J., Hookabe, N., Okanishi, M., Woo, S.P. & Nakano, T. (2023) A New Species of Branchellion (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae) Parasitizing the Gills of Short-tail Stingrays (Batoidea: Dasyatidae) From the West Pacific. Zoological Science, 40(4), 308–313
New species: Branchellion brevicaudatae
Abstract: A new fish leech, Branchellion brevicaudatae sp. n., is described based on specimens parasitizing the gills of the short-tail stingray, Bathytoshia brevicaudata (Hutton, 1875), collected from Japanese waters. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by having: i) pulsating vesicles emerging from posterior base of branchiae, one pair per somite; ii) dorsal white spots, not arranged in longitudinal row; and iii) blackish body. A phylogenetic tree based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene from the new species and other piscicolid worms showed that the new species is sister to Branchellion torpedinis Savigny, 1822. This is the first record of Branchellion Savigny, 1822 from Japanese waters.
 
Bueno, V.M. & Caira, J.N. (2023) Phylogenetic relationships, host associations, and three new species of a poorly known group of "tetraphyllidean" tapeworms from elasmobranchs. Zootaxa, 5254(1), 30–50
New species: Pentaloculum grahami Zyxibothrium duffyi Zyxibothrium healyae
Abstract: This paper aims to expand understanding of a poorly known group of cestodes that parasitize an intriguingly diverse suite of elasmobranchs. The group's three currently described members (i.e., Pentaloculum macrocephalum, Pentaloculum hoi, and Zyxibothrium kamienae) parasitize an electric ray, a carpet shark, and a skate, respectively. Pentaloculum grahami n. sp. is described from a second genus of carpet shark, specifically Parascyllium collare, in Australia. Zyxibothrium duffyi n. sp. and Zyxibothrium healyae n. sp. are described from the deep-sea skates Brochiraja asperula and Brochiraja spinifera, respectively off New Zealand. The three new species share distinctive bothridia that bear a small number of large, circular, facial loculi and lateral bands of vitelline follicles that converge posterior to the ovary-features which are found in all other members of these genera. Zyxibothrium healyae n. sp. is unique in possessing three, rather than four or five, facial loculi. Zyxibothrium duffyi n. sp. possesses a combination of five facial loculi and vitelline follicles that stop short of the anterior margin of the proglottid. Pentaloculum grahami n. sp. is the largest member of the group with the greatest number of proglottids. Based on striking similarities in scolex morphology, Pentaloculum and Zyxibothrium have been hypothesized to belong to a distinct subgroup of "tetraphyllideans" provisionally designated as Clade 1. Based on sequence data for the D1-D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene generated for species of Zyxibothrium for the first time, we confirm the reciprocal monophyly of both genera as well as the monophyly of Clade 1 and its status as a distinct lineage among the "Tetraphyllidea". This work also suggests that the presence of five facial loculi is homoplasious given this character state is found in members of both genera. The new species expand the host associations of Clade 1 to include additional skate and carpet shark genera. Moving forward we would expect to find additional members of this group parasitizing other species of parascyliid carpet sharks as well as other species of the rajid genus Malacoraja and the arhynchobatid genus Brochiraja. Here we have doubled the number of described species in the taxon referred to as Clade 1 while simultaneously expanding our understanding of the morphology and anatomy of its members. This additional information will help inform the ultimate revision of the ordinal classification of the cestodes to address the highly polyphyletic nature of the order "Tetraphyllidea" as it is currently configured.

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

Latest Research Articles

MISCELLANEOUS:

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Beyond Jaws

In this episode of the Beyond Jaws podcast, Dr. Lindsay Marshall shares her journey of becoming a shark science illustrator. Her illustrations are not only scientifically accurate but also incredibly detailed and captivating. From sharks and rays to leafy sea dragons, her artwork showcases a wide range of marine creatures. Dr. Marshall discusses how she turned her passion into a successful career and entrepreneurial venture. Tune in to learn more about her path in shark science and illustration.

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Rare 14-ft smalltooth sand tiger shark washes up on Irish coast

Date: August 30, 2023

Source: Trinity College Dublin

Summary: Scientists believe a huge 14ft smalltooth sand tiger shark, which washed up at Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford, earlier this year, represents the first of its species to have been found in Ireland's waters. Two other individuals of the same species also washed up on the UK coastline, suggesting this species' geographic range has shifted. The scientists believe these rare finds may offer a window into the future, with more and more species traditionally confined to more tropical waters expected to visit Irish and British waters.