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        <title>Frontiers in Fish Science | Elasmobranch Science section | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fish-science/sections/elasmobranch-science</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Elasmobranch Science section in the Frontiers in Fish Science journal | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-05-14T23:37:06.354+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2026.1727267</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2026.1727267</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Return ticket: spatial use patterns of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) from a shark-bite mitigation program in eastern Australia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Gonçalo G. Ramos</author><author>Dean C. Blower</author><author>Nuno Queiroz</author><author>Paul A. Butcher</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The inherent susceptibility of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), coupled with reported declines in abundance, has led to their global listing as “Vulnerable”, prompting substantial conservation efforts. However, white sharks' propensity to use coastal areas overlaps with human activities, causing safety concerns. In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, they are caught as part of the world's longest-running meshing bather protection program. After an unprecedented spate of shark bites in 2015, Shark-Management-Alert-in-Real-Time (SMART) drumline trials started in NSW as a novel catch-and-release program aimed at non-lethal bather protection. Using seven years of data, this study analyzed SMART drumline recapture events to describe white shark habitat use along the NSW coastline. In total, 890 individuals were tagged with a recapture rate of 24.5% (n = 218). Smaller individuals (fork length < 225 cm) and females were more commonly recaptured, suggesting size and sex-specific habitat preferences. Although recaptures occurred year-round and throughout the entire NSW coast, most occurred during the Austral winter and spring and along the northern NSW coast. There were few consecutive recaptures recorded in the same location, suggesting that white sharks move throughout relatively large ranges within coastal areas. Linear distances between recaptures were on average ~220 (SE ± 25) km, mostly representing northward travels. Despite some variation, most recaptures (~77%) were recorded within a year and ~45% within 90 days. These results are consistent with the described movement ecology for the species along NSW, corroborating the seasonal importance of NSW northern coast for juvenile white sharks, and the potential effect that the Eastern Australian Current has on their distribution. This study provides important insights into immature white sharks' inshore ecology, highlighting the value of capture-mark-recapture data collected from SMART drumlines to forecast shark movement for enhanced bather safety and species management.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1520995</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1520995</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Novel observations of an oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus) and tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) scavenging event]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-05-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Molly Scott</author><author>Olivia Miller</author><author>Devon Stapleton</author><author>Kayleigh Grant</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Oceanic whitetip sharks, Carcharhinus longimanus, are known to be common scavengers; however, observations of C. longimanus scavenging events are extremely rare due to their classification as an oceanic pelagic species, typically solitary in nature. On April 9, 2024, over 8.5 h, at least nine C. longimanus were observed scavenging from a heavily degraded carcass off the coast of Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, USA. Five tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) were also observed scavenging on the same carcass. Simultaneous feeding within and between species occurred; however, no agonistic or aggressive interactions were observed. Although a small snapshot, this stochastic event sheds new light on trophic relationships and social interactions among aquatic apex predators that do not normally overlap in space and time.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1414859</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1414859</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Trophic and feeding ecology of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) using bulk stable isotope analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-05-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Clare E. M. Prebble</author><author>Lydie I. E. Couturier</author><author>Christoph A. Rohner</author><author>Simon J. Pierce</author><author>Clive N. Trueman</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionDespite their size, relatively passive behavior, and commercial significance, knowledge of the behavioral ecology of whale sharks remains limited. The difficulty of tracking individual animals at sea encourages the use of retrospective biochemical approaches such as stable isotope analysis.MethodsWhale sharks at Mafia Island in Tanzania form a comparatively small and resident aggregation that has been monitored for several successive years, providing a rare opportunity to study biochemical changes in individuals over time. In this study, 53% of the identified individuals were sampled at the time of collection over a multi-year period. Stable isotope analysis was performed on these samples to investigate their feeding ecology.ResultsStable isotope data suggest that whale sharks at Mafia Island predominantly feed within the local food web at a trophic level consistent with current understanding of the species' general feeding ecology. These data also reveal a range of individual feeding strategies within the local aggregation, with some sex and size-related differences. However, the isotopic niche area at the population level was relatively constrained.DiscussionWe call for additional research and emphasize the importance of a multi-faceted approach incorporating diverse biochemical and tracking techniques to more accurately understand the long-term feeding ecology of this endangered and charismatic mega-planktivore.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1473376</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1473376</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Under pressure: deep-sea elasmobranchs experience high mortality and stress in a crustacean trawling fishery]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-04-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sofia Graça Aranha</author><author>Alexandra Teodósio</author><author>Tiago Marsili</author><author>Pedro Pires da Rocha</author><author>Teresa Modesto</author><author>Pedro M. Guerreiro</author><author>Aurélien Tambutte</author><author>Alexandra Alves</author><author>Paulo Relvas</author><author>Ester Dias</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Crustacean bottom trawling in southern Portugal is an economic and culturally important fishing activity but may result in considerable bycatch of deep-sea elasmobranchs (DSE). Due to DSE life-history strategies, at-vessel mortality (AVM) rates in crustacean bottom trawl fisheries are expectedly high but require further investigations. This study assessed the at-vessel condition of 18 species of DSE, and AVM rates and stress of four deep-sea shark species (Etmopterus pusillus, E. spinax, Galeus melastomus, and Scymnodon ringens), to understand the impact of bottom trawling on these animals. Opportunistic sampling on a crustacean trawler in the southern Portuguese coast, revealed that 95% of specimens were either dead (n = 1,258) or in poor condition (n = 224) upon collection, underscoring their minimal chance of post-release survival. General linear model analyses showed that AVM was species-specific and highest in smaller sharks, as well as in those from hauls that exhibited larger temperature differences between bottom and surface waters, and those caught in hauls with heavier codend weight using a 55 mm codend mesh (targeting shrimp and prawns) instead of those caught in hauls using a 70 mm codend mesh (targeting Norway lobster). Stress, evaluated through metabolites and electrolytes levels in sharks' plasma, indicated significant differences in potassium, urea, and magnesium levels between live and deceased specimens of E. pusillus and G. melastomus, suggesting these as reliable mortality markers. Elevated lactate levels in G. melastomus further pointed to high post-release mortality risk. These findings highlight an urgent need to find solutions to mitigate the impacts of bottom trawling on those DSE, which are thoroughly discussed. A coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving researchers, the fishing industry, and regulatory bodies is crucial for developing and implementing effective, and more sustainable fisheries management and protection of DSE populations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1437507</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1437507</link>
        <title><![CDATA[First record of orcas (Orcinus orca) preying on a prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei) in the Gulf of California: insights into shark ecology]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-03-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Frida Lara-Lizardi</author><author>María Fernanda Gómez</author><author>Andrea Quintero-Perez</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The first documented instance of predation on a prickly shark (Echinorhinus cookei) by orcas (Orcinus orca) in the shallow waters of the southwestern Gulf of California, particularly around Cerralvo Island, is presented. The observation was made possible through a combination of local ecological knowledge and citizen science efforts, demonstrating the value of community involvement in marine research. Both the vulnerability of prickly sharks to industrial fishing and the deep- water sharks limited ecological knowledge in the Gulf of California emphasize the significance of this sighting. The findings underscore the necessity for ongoing research and conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of the integration of the local ecological knowledge and citizen science to protect this species' habitat in the Gulf of California and beyond.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1443923</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1443923</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Predicting habitat suitability for the co-occurrence of an estuarine mesopredator and two top predatory fishes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-10-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Paco Fontaine</author><author>Christine C. Jensen</author><author>Philip Matich</author><author>Jay R. Rooker</author><author>R. J. David Wells</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Determining habitat associations and co-occurrence patterns among species can provide insight into their behavior and shared roles in ecosystem function. This study used a long-term gill-net survey to investigate habitat associations and co-occurrence patterns of three predatory fishes in a large estuarine complex in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico including two top predators alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) and bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) and a mesopredator Atlantic stingray (Hypanus sabina). Habitat suitability models were used to assess habitat conditions under which multiple conspecifics or species co-occurred. Environmental drivers of habitat suitability differed within and across species, but salinity and temperature were the most influential variables. Intraspecific co-occurrence of both alligator gars and bull sharks were primarily observed between conspecifics of similar size in low-salinity waters, but intraspecific co-occurrence was higher for alligator gars than for bull sharks. Although sample size was low, intraspecific co-occurrence of Atlantic stingrays was frequent in open-water regions of the estuary and consisted of both juveniles and adults. Interspecific co-occurrence between alligator gars and bull sharks was primarily observed in habitats commonly used by both species, particularly in low-salinity regions of the estuary. Even though there may be confounding effects of sampling gear, interspecific co-occurrence of Atlantic stingrays with either alligator gars or bull sharks was limited, suggesting there was limited overlap in estuarine habitats or environmental conditions used by Atlantic stingrays relative to the two other species investigated. These results clarify the influence of abiotic and biotic variables on the distribution and abundance of these species and suggest potential areas where interactions between them may shape their roles as predators.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1432244</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1432244</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Insights into the visitations of oceanic manta rays at cleaning stations on coral reefs in the Bird's Head Seascape, eastern Indonesia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-08-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Edy Setyawan</author><author>Ronald Mambrasar</author><author>Abraham B. Sianipar</author><author>Abdy W. Hasan</author><author>Mochamad I. H. Putra</author><author>Imanuel Mofu</author><author>Calvin S. Beale</author><author>Mark V. Erdmann</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The globally endangered oceanic manta ray Mobula birostris is believed to spend significantly more time in the open ocean than in coastal areas. Nonetheless, the Bird's Head Seascape (BHS) in eastern Indonesia hosts a large population of this species (over 850 individuals), frequently sighted at coral reef cleaning stations and forming a vital asset for marine tourism in the region. Despite this, detailed understanding of the movements and habitat use of this wide-ranging species within shallow (< 30 m) coral reef ecosystems remains limited. Addressing this knowledge gap is urgently required for the sustainable management of oceanic manta ray-focused tourism in the region. Here, we report the results of an initial passive acoustic telemetry study investigating the use of coral reef cleaning stations by oceanic manta rays. Forty-one rays were acoustically tracked from February 2016 to August 2019 in an array of 28 acoustic receivers deployed at known cleaning stations and hypothesized transit points across the BHS (including the regions of Raja Ampat, Fakfak, and Kaimana). A total of 5,822 detections were recorded by 16 of the 28 receivers from all tagged individuals, and 421 visitation events were documented from 37 out of the 41 tagged individuals, providing valuable insights into their visitation patterns at cleaning stations. Tagged individuals were detected at receiver stations for durations ranging from 0.2 to 427.0 min (mean ± SD = 48 ± 64 min). Notably, 94% of detections were recorded during daylight hours (reaching a peak at noon), underscoring an apparent diurnal pattern in time spent around cleaning stations. The study documented frequent short-range movements between adjacent receivers (5–12 km apart), with two-thirds of all 191 tracked movements occurring between neighboring stations in southern Raja Ampat. Notably, tagged individuals were detected repeatedly at three cleaning stations which were previously only known for hosting reef manta rays, suggesting oceanic manta rays likely also utilize these cleaning stations. Our study provides important insights into the visitations and local movements of oceanic manta rays between coral reef cleaning stations, which will inform effective oceanic manta ray conservation efforts and tourism management in the BHS.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1391062</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1391062</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Identifying spatial movements and residency of pelagic thresher sharks (Alopias pelagicus) using satellite and passive acoustic telemetry to inform local conservation in central Indonesia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-05-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Rafid A. Shidqi</author><author>Mark V. Erdmann</author><author>Edy Setyawan</author><author>Nerea Lezama-Ochoa</author><author>Dewi R. Sari</author><author>Abraham B. Sianipar</author><author>Joshua D. Stewart</author><author>Donald A. Croll</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) is globally endangered, threatened by bycatch, and targeted in industrial and artisanal fisheries in Indonesia. However, a lack of information about their ecology, particularly movement and habitat use, hinders the development of science-based conservation measures to protect the species. Here, we report our research, which is the first to use a combination of satellite and passive acoustic telemetry to investigate the movement and residency of the pelagic thresher shark within Indonesia's waters, especially in areas impacted by local fisheries. A total of 24 sharks were tagged with archival satellite tags (n = 9), internal acoustic tags (n = 10), and both tags (n = 5) in Selat Pantar Marine Protected Area (MPA). The tagged sharks, dominated by females (71%) ranged in size from 125–180 cm FL (mean ± SD: 161 ± 13). Seven of the fifteen acoustically tagged sharks were detected by the receivers, while twelve of the fourteen satellite tags reported data. The satellite tags stayed attached for 81–181 days, and the acoustic tag detection periods ranged from 44–175 days. Horizontally, we found the satellite-tagged sharks moved broadly, mainly offshore, approximately 90 km from tagging locations. They moved to areas between Banda, Flores, and Savu Sea regions, where unregulated and unreported longline and gillnet fisheries are known to operate. Meanwhile, the acoustically tagged sharks showed distinct diel patterns around the Selat Pantar MPA's coastal waters, indicating potential philopatric behavior. Vertically, the sharks spent significantly (p < 0.001) more time in deeper water during the day and moved to shallower water at night. The deepest dive recorded was 1,889.5 m, which is the deepest ever recorded from the species. Our results suggest that area-based protection can be an effective nearshore conservation tool as individuals appear to remain in relatively restricted areas within Selat Pantar MPA for extended periods. However, fisheries regulation aimed at restricting illegal longline and gillnet fishing is also necessary to protect sharks when they move offshore. Our findings have been communicated to the relevant governments, resulting in increased political will and new legislation to protect them within the Selat Pantar MPA and connected waters of East Nusa Tenggara.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1394011</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1394011</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Recent expansion of the Atlantic cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) into Bermudian waters]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-05-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Matthew J. Ajemian</author><author>Cecilia M. Hampton</author><author>Lauren M. Coleman</author><author>Joanna M. Pitt</author><author>Struan R. Smith</author><author>Christian M. Jones</author><author>Nicole M. Phillips</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cownose rays (Family Rhinopteridae) are highly migratory pelagic rays that are generally restricted to continental shelves. Despite 100's of years of natural history records, cownose rays have never been reported in Bermuda, an atoll-like coral reef ecosystem that is separated from the continental mainland United States by ~1,000 km. Here we compile evidence that the Atlantic cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) has recently established in Bermuda, supported by both morphological and genetic data. Potential ecological and inter-specific competition concerns are presented as well as probable physical mechanisms that facilitated this recent and presumed range expansion.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1352871</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2024.1352871</link>
        <title><![CDATA[One-year extra-uterine life support for viviparous shark embryos: first technological application to mid-term embryos]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-02-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Taketeru Tomita</author><author>Minoru Toda</author><author>Atsushi Kaneko</author><author>Kiyomi Murakumo</author><author>Kei Miyamoto</author><author>Keiichi Sato</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Shark-specific artificial uterine fluid is a recently developed material suitable for maintaining viviparous shark embryos outside the maternal body. Previous studies confirmed that this fluid greatly extends the captive maintenance period of the embryonic slendertail lantern shark (Etmopterus molleri) from <1 week to several months. Its application, however, has been limited to late-term embryos. This study reports the first application of this fluid on mid-term embryos with long external gill filaments. The incubation was found to be successful, with the embryos growing to their natural birth size after 1 year. A high mortality of mid-term embryos was observed during incubation due to pressure ulcers. This indicates that not only appropriate chemical environment but also appropriate physical environment is critical for the stable maintenance of mid-term embryos.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2023.1284949</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2023.1284949</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Steroid hormones as a non-lethal assessment of the reproductive biology in male and female blacktip reef sharks]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-01-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Johann Mourier</author><author>Serge Planes</author><author>Suzanne C. Mills</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionOverexploitation of sharks and the destruction of their habitat has led to severe population declines and the need for conservation and management actions. Effective conservation management requires knowledge of the size at which a shark matures and an understanding of their breeding season, fundamental information to maintain appropriate population levels.MethodsHere we used reproductive endocrinology, estrogen and androgen steroids, in combination with rare direct observations of mating, visual monitoring of reproductive status such as gestation and mating scars, as well as parentage analysis, to assess reproductive biology in male and female Chondrichthyans from the wild.Results and discussionLengths at sexual maturity of female and male blacktip reef sharks corresponded closely with plasma 17β-estradiol, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone measures respectively, but we found considerable variation in androgen levels for mature males. Size at sexual maturity of male and female blacktip reef shark deduced from direct or indirect evidence (mating scars or parentage assignment respectively, corresponded closely with plasma 17β-estradiol, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone measures respectively, but we found considerable variation in androgen levels for mature males. Females attained sexual maturity from around 121 to 123 cm and males from 104 to 111 cm. The mating season extends from September to February but female 17β-estradiol levels are elevated 1 month prior to mating. Endocrinology has brought additional important information to the reproductive biology and ecology of blacktip reef sharks.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2023.1323633</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frish.2023.1323633</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Flapping about: trends and drivers of Australian cownose ray (Rhinoptera neglecta) coastal sightings at their southernmost distribution range]]></title>
        <pubdate>2024-01-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Alysha J. Chan</author><author>Fabrice R. A. Jaine</author><author>Francisca Maron</author><author>Jane E. Williamson</author><author>Hayden. T. Schilling</author><author>Amy F. Smoothey</author><author>Victor M. Peddemors</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The Australian cownose ray (Rhinoptera neglecta) is an understudied batoid that occurs along Australia's north and east coasts. Currently classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, major knowledge gaps exist regarding the species' geographic range, habitat use and the drivers influencing its presence in coastal Australian waters. Sightings of R. neglecta were collected during systematic aerial surveys conducted along 980 km (~47%) of the New South Wales (NSW) coastline between 2017 and 2019. North-bound surveys were flown 500 m offshore, whilst return surveys were flown along the beach/sea interface (inshore or nearshore). Using generalized additive models and a set of nine predictors, we examined the relationship between the spatio-temporal occurrence of R. neglecta, their group size and the biophysical environment at the southernmost extent of their distribution. Results for the presence/absence (44.20% deviance explained) and group size of R. neglecta observed offshore and inshore (42.58 and 41.94% deviance explained, respectively) highlighted latitude, day of year, sea surface temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and wind direction as common influences to the three models. The models indicated R. neglecta were more likely to be present in the northern half of NSW during spring and summer months. However, larger group sizes were more likely to be observed in more southern regions during the same seasons, regardless of whether they were observed offshore or inshore. Group size is also likely influenced by more localized conditions, such as SST and tidal flows. This study represents the largest attempt to date to decipher the spatial ecology of R. neglecta and provides insights into the spatio-temporal distribution and relative abundance of the species along the full extent of the NSW coastline, extending the species' known distribution by over 70 km southward.]]></description>
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