The importance of elasmobranchs, which play the role of apex and middle predators in the food web, is widely recognized. Despite this, the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) considers the conservation status of most of the existing elasmobranch populations worldwide to be threatened, with some basins, like the Mediterranean Sea, that are considered as hotspots of threats. The main risks they face are overfishing, bycatch, loss of habitat, and pollution. Deepening the knowledge into their diets and trophic interactions could facilitate a more understanding of their ecological role, migration patterns, and the reason for certain congregation over feeding grounds. This, in turn, would support scientists in defining areas where aggregation occur and establishing Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs).
Information on the trophic ecology of elasmobranchs in the sea is fragmented, which limits our understanding of their ecological roles and hinders effective conservation efforts. Existing studies often rely on a single method, such as stomach content analysis or stable isotope analysis, which provide only partial insights into their feeding behaviors.
This research aims to address these gaps by integrating multiple methodologies. Stable isotope analysis offers long-term insights into feeding habits, while stomach content analysis provides more immediate data on diet composition. Additionally, DNA metabarcoding allows for the detection of prey species through genetic material in stomach or cloacal contents, and fatty acid analysis reveals detailed information about specific food sources, shedding light on variations in food web dynamics.
By combining these approaches, the study will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the trophic dynamics of elasmobranchs, including their dietary preferences and ecological functions. This integrated perspective is essential for identifying key feeding grounds, understanding patterns of aggregation, and informing conservation measures such as the designation of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) by IUCN.
Specific themes to be addressed in the Research Topic include: 1) research articles on the diet of less-known species, such as deep-sea species, 2) trophic partitioning among threatened species that share the same habitat, 3) development and application of multidisciplinary approaches to the study of elasmobranch diets, as well as unusual approaches, such as dental microwear texture analysis, stable isotope analysis on vertebrae or eye lenses, 4) diet variability of threatened elasmobranch species related to ontogenetic and/or spatio-temporal changes, and 5) identification of elasmobranch feeding grounds and aggregations that could support management decisions.
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