Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays.

Simpfendorfer, Colin A; Heithaus, Michael R; Heupel, Michelle R; MacNeil, M Aaron; Meekan, Mark; Harvey, Euan; Sherman, C Samantha; Currey-Randall, Leanne M; Goetze, Jordan S; Kiszka, Jeremy J; Rees, Matthew J; Speed, Conrad W; Udyawer, Vinay; Bond, Mark E; Flowers, Kathryn I; Clementi, Gina M; Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine; Adam, M Shiham; Ali, Khadeeja; Asher, Jacob; ... (2023). Widespread diversity deficits of coral reef sharks and rays. Science, 380(6650), pp. 1155-1160. American Association for the Advancement of Science 10.1126/science.ade4884

Text science.ade4884.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Author holds Copyright Download (3MB) | Request a copy

A global survey of coral reefs reveals that overfishing is driving resident shark species toward extinction, causing diversity deficits in reef elasmobranch (shark and ray) assemblages. Our species-level analysis revealed global declines of 60 to 73% for five common resident reef shark species and that individual shark species were not detected at 34 to 47% of surveyed reefs. As reefs become more shark-depleted, rays begin to dominate assemblages. Shark-dominated assemblages persist in wealthy nations with strong governance and in highly protected areas, whereas poverty, weak governance, and a lack of shark management are associated with depauperate assemblages mainly composed of rays. Without action to address these diversity deficits, loss of ecological function and ecosystem services will increasingly affect human communities.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

3 since deposited on 16 Jun 2023
3 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item