Dear Teacher
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Sharks for the Aquarium and Considerations for Their Selection1 Alexis L
FA179 Sharks for the Aquarium and Considerations for Their Selection1 Alexis L. Morris, Elisa J. Livengood, and Frank A. Chapman2 Introduction The Lore of the Shark Sharks are magnificent animals and an exciting group Though it has been some 35 years since the shark in Steven of fishes. As a group, sharks, rays, and skates belong to Spielberg’s Jaws bit into its first unsuspecting ocean swim- the biological taxonomic class called Chondrichthyes, or mer and despite the fact that the risk of shark-bite is very cartilaginous fishes (elasmobranchs). The entire supporting small, fear of sharks still makes some people afraid to swim structure of these fish is composed primarily of cartilage in the ocean. (The chance of being struck by lightning is rather than bone. There are some 400 described species of greater than the chance of shark attack.) The most en- sharks, which come in all different sizes from the 40-foot- grained shark image that comes to a person’s mind is a giant long whale shark (Rhincodon typus) to the 2-foot-long conical snout lined with multiple rows of teeth efficient at marble catshark (Atelomycterus macleayi). tearing, chomping, or crushing prey, and those lifeless and staring eyes. The very adaptations that make sharks such Although sharks have been kept in public aquariums successful predators also make some people unnecessarily since the 1860s, advances in marine aquarium systems frightened of them. This is unfortunate, since sharks are technology and increased understanding of shark biology interesting creatures and much more than ill-perceived and husbandry now allow hobbyists to maintain and enjoy mindless eating machines. -
Can Threshold Foraging Responses of Basking Sharks Be Used to Estimate Their Metabolic Rate?
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Vol. 200: 289-296,2000 Published July 14 Mar Ecol Prog Ser ~ NOTE Can threshold foraging responses of basking sharks be used to estimate their metabolic rate? David W. Sims* Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen. Tillydrone Avenue. Aberdeen AB24 2TZ. United Kingdom ABSTRACT: Empirical and theoretical determinations of There are 3 species of filter-feeding shark, the whale minimum threshold prey densities for filter-feeding basking shark ~hi~~~d~~typus of warm-temperate and tropical sharks Cetorhinus maximus were used to test the idea that threshold foraging behaviour could provide a means for esti- seas worldwide, the basking shark Cetorhinus max- mating oxygen consumption (a proxy for metabolic rate). The im~~that inhabits warm-temperate to boreal waters threshold feeding levelrepres&nts the prey density at which circumglobally, and the megamouth shark Mega- there will be no net energy gain (energy intake equals expen- chasms pelagjos occurs in the Pacific and At- diture). Basking sharks were observed to cease feeding at lantic, primarily in deep water (Compagno 1984, Yano their theoretical threshold; thus, the assumption underpin- ning the concept presented here was that over the narrow et They are the largest marine verte- range of zooplankton prey densities that induce 'switching' brates attaining body lengths of up to 14, 10 and 6 m re- between feeding and non-feeding in basking sharks, the spectively. Comparatively little is known about the bi- energetic value of the minimum threshold prey density is ology of planktivorous sharks despite the fact that they equivalent to the shark's instantaneous level of energy expen- diture. -
Whale Shark Rhincodon Typus Populations Along the West Coast of the Gulf of California and Implications for Management
Vol. 18: 115–128, 2012 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published online August 16 doi: 10.3354/esr00437 Endang Species Res Whale shark Rhincodon typus populations along the west coast of the Gulf of California and implications for management Dení Ramírez-Macías1,2,*, Abraham Vázquez-Haikin3, Ricardo Vázquez-Juárez1 1Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Mar Bermejo 195, Col. Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico 2Tiburón Ballena México de Conciencia México, Manatí 4802, Col. Esperanza III, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23090, Mexico 3Asociación de Pesca Deportiva y Ecoturismo de Bahía de los Ángeles, Domicilio conocido Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California 22980, Mexico ABSTRACT: We used photo-identification data collected from 2003 through 2009 to estimate pop- ulation structure, site fidelity, abundance, and movements of this species along the west coast of the Gulf of California to make recommendations for effective conservation and management. Of 251 whale sharks identified from 1784 photographs, 129 sharks were identified in Bahía de Los Ángeles and 125 in Bahía de La Paz. Only juveniles (mostly small) were found in these 2 bays. At Isla Espíritu Santo, we identified adult females; at Gorda Banks we identified 15 pregnant females. High re-sighting rates within and across years provided evidence of site fidelity among juvenile sharks in the 2 bays. Though the juveniles were not permanent residents, they used the areas regularly from year to year. A proportion of the juveniles spent days to a month or more in the coastal waters of the 2 bays before leaving, and periods of over a month outside the study areas before entering the bays again. -
An Introduction to the Classification of Elasmobranchs
An introduction to the classification of elasmobranchs 17 Rekha J. Nair and P.U Zacharia Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi-682 018 Introduction eyed, stomachless, deep-sea creatures that possess an upper jaw which is fused to its cranium (unlike in sharks). The term Elasmobranchs or chondrichthyans refers to the The great majority of the commercially important species of group of marine organisms with a skeleton made of cartilage. chondrichthyans are elasmobranchs. The latter are named They include sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras. These for their plated gills which communicate to the exterior by organisms are characterised by and differ from their sister 5–7 openings. In total, there are about 869+ extant species group of bony fishes in the characteristics like cartilaginous of elasmobranchs, with about 400+ of those being sharks skeleton, absence of swim bladders and presence of five and the rest skates and rays. Taxonomy is also perhaps to seven pairs of naked gill slits that are not covered by an infamously known for its constant, yet essential, revisions operculum. The chondrichthyans which are placed in Class of the relationships and identity of different organisms. Elasmobranchii are grouped into two main subdivisions Classification of elasmobranchs certainly does not evade this Holocephalii (Chimaeras or ratfishes and elephant fishes) process, and species are sometimes lumped in with other with three families and approximately 37 species inhabiting species, or renamed, or assigned to different families and deep cool waters; and the Elasmobranchii, which is a large, other taxonomic groupings. It is certain, however, that such diverse group (sharks, skates and rays) with representatives revisions will clarify our view of the taxonomy and phylogeny in all types of environments, from fresh waters to the bottom (evolutionary relationships) of elasmobranchs, leading to a of marine trenches and from polar regions to warm tropical better understanding of how these creatures evolved. -
Research and Conservation at Georgia Aquarium, Inc
RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION AT GEORGIA AQUARIUM, INC. Georgia Aquarium is committed to the research and conservation of aquatic animals around the world. As a leader in marine research, Georgia Aquarium contributes to the advancement of knowledge of our blue planet by studying animals here at the Aquarium and in their natural environments. Since opening, members of the Aquarium’s research team have participated in nearly 100 funded research projects and authored more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and conference appearances. Our researchers collaborate with scientists around the world to understand our aquatic world so that we may conserve it for generations to come. Conservation Field Station The Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station (GACFS) in Marineland, Fla., is dedicated to the research and rescue of dolphins and whales in northeast Florida. The GACFS team responds to marine mammal strandings and distress calls, and researchers contribute to a recurring photo identification survey that documents the resident bottlenose dolphin population in northern Florida. The GACFS is also committed to community outreach, with school outreach courses, camps and stranding awareness programs to educate the public. ONGOING AND MILESTONE RESEARCH & CONSERVATION EFFORTS Whale Sharks Georgia Aquarium is a worldwide leader in whale shark research and conservation. We’ve sent teams to learn more about these gentle giants off the coast of Mexico, Taiwan, the Galapagos Islands and Saint Helena, an island in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. In 2009, our joint studies with the Project Domino consortium led to the Mexican government’s creation of the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve, a protected area for this vulnerable species in Yucatan, Mexico. -
The Great White Shark Quick Questions
The Great White Shark Quick Questions 11 Great white sharks are the top of the ocean’s food chain. 1. Why do you think that the great white shark is at 22 They are the biggest fish on our planet which eat other the top of the ocean’s food chain? 32 fish and animals. They are known to live between thirty 45 and one hundred years old and can be found in all of the 55 world’s oceans, but they are mostly found in cool water 59 close to the coast. 2. Where are most great white sharks found? 69 Even though they are mostly grey, they get their name 78 from their white underbelly. The great white shark has 89 been known to grow up to six metres long and have 99 up to three hundred sharp teeth, in seven rows. Their 3. Find and copy the adjective that the author uses 109 amazing sense of smell allows them to hunt for prey, to describe the shark’s sense of smell. 119 such as seals, rays and small whales from miles away. 4. Number these facts from 1 to 3 to show the order they appear in the text. They live between thirty and one hundred years. They can grow up to six metres long. They have up to three hundred teeth. The Great White Shark Answers 11 Great white sharks are the top of the ocean’s food chain. 1. Why do you think that the great white shark is at 22 They are the biggest fish on our planet which eat other the top of the ocean’s food chain? 32 fish and animals. -
Stomach Content Analysis of Short-Finned Pilot Whales
f MARCH 1986 STOMACH CONTENT ANALYSIS OF SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALES h (Globicephala macrorhynchus) AND NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS (Mirounga angustirostris) FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BIGHT by Elizabeth S. Hacker ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT LJ-86-08C f This Administrative Report is issued as an informal document to ensure prompt dissemination of preliminary results, interim reports and special studies. We recommend that it not be abstracted or cited. STOMACH CONTENT ANALYSIS OF SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALES (GLOBICEPHALA MACRORHYNCHUS) AND NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEALS (MIROUNGA ANGUSTIROSTRIS) FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BIGHT Elizabeth S. Hacker College of Oceanography Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon 97331 March 1986 S H i I , LIBRARY >66 MAR 0 2 2007 ‘ National uooarac & Atmospheric Administration U.S. Dept, of Commerce This report was prepared by Elizabeth S. Hacker under contract No. 84-ABA-02592 for the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Center, La Jolla, California. The statements, findings, conclusions and recommendations herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Marine Fisheries Service. Charles W. Oliver of the Southwest Fisheries Center served as Contract Officer's Technical Representative for this contract. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT LJ-86-08C CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION.................. 1 METHODS....................... 2 Sample Collection........ 2 Sample Identification.... 2 Sample Analysis.......... 3 RESULTS....................... 3 Globicephala macrorhynchus 3 Mirounga angustirostris... 4 DISCUSSION.................... 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............. 11 REFERENCES.............. 12 i LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1 Collection data for Globicephala macrorhynchus examined from the Southern California Bight........ 19 2 Collection data for Mirounga angustirostris examined from the Southern California Bight........ 20 3 Stomach contents of Globicephala macrorhynchus examined from the Southern California Bight....... -
Electrosensory Pore Distribution and Feeding in the Basking Shark Cetorhinus Maximus (Lamniformes: Cetorhinidae)
Vol. 12: 33–36, 2011 AQUATIC BIOLOGY Published online March 3 doi: 10.3354/ab00328 Aquat Biol NOTE Electrosensory pore distribution and feeding in the basking shark Cetorhinus maximus (Lamniformes: Cetorhinidae) Ryan M. Kempster*, Shaun P. Collin The UWA Oceans Institute and the School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia ABSTRACT: The basking shark Cetorhinus maximus is the second largest fish in the world, attaining lengths of up to 10 m. Very little is known of its sensory biology, particularly in relation to its feeding behaviour. We describe the abundance and distribution of ampullary pores over the head and pro- pose that both the spacing and orientation of electrosensory pores enables C. maximus to use passive electroreception to track the diel vertical migrations of zooplankton that enable the shark to meet the energetic costs of ram filter feeding. KEY WORDS: Ampullae of Lorenzini · Electroreception · Filter feeding · Basking shark Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher INTRODUCTION shark Rhincodon typus and the megamouth shark Megachasma pelagios, which can attain lengths of up Electroreception is an ancient sensory modality that to 14 and 6 m, respectively (Compagno 1984). These 3 has evolved independently across the animal kingdom filter-feeding sharks are among the largest living in multiple groups (Scheich et al. 1986, Collin & White- marine vertebrates (Compagno 1984) and yet they are head 2004). Repeated independent evolution of elec- all able to meet their energetic costs through the con- troreception emphasises the importance of this sense sumption of tiny zooplankton. -
Feeding Habits of the Common Thresher Shark (Alopias Vulpinus) Sampled from the California-Based Drift Gill Net Fishery, 1998-1 999
PRETI ET AL.: FEEDING HABITS OF COMMON THRESHER SHARK CalCOFl Rep., Vol. 42, 2001 FEEDING HABITS OF THE COMMON THRESHER SHARK (ALOPIAS VULPINUS) SAMPLED FROM THE CALIFORNIA-BASED DRIFT GILL NET FISHERY, 1998-1 999 ANTONELLA PRETI SUSAN E. SMITH AND DARLENE A. RAMON California Department of Fish and Game National Marine Fisheries Service, NOM 8604 La Jolla Shores Dnve Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla, California 92037 P.O. Box 271 sharksharkshark@hotniail coni La Jolla, California 92038 ABSTRACT (Compagno 1984). It is epipelagic, gregarious, and cos- The diet of common thresher shark (Alopius vulpinus) mopolitan, and in the northeastern Pacific seems to be from US. Pacific Coast waters was investigated by means most abundant within 40 miles of shore (Strasburg 1958). of frequency of occurrence, gravimetric and numerical Its known range extends from Clarion Island, Mexico, methods, and calculating the geometric index of im- north to British Columbia; it is common seasonally from portance (GII) of prey taxa taken from stoniachs col- mid-Baja California, Mexico, to Washington state.' It lected by fishery observers from the California-based is the leading commercial shark taken in California, drift gill net fishery. Sampling was done from 16 August where it is highly valued in the fresh fish trade (Holts et 1998 to 24 January 1999, a time when the California al. 1998). It is also sought by recreational anglers for its Current was undergoing rapid change from El Niiio to fighting ability as well as food value, especially in south- La Niiia conhtions. Of the 165 stomachs examined, 107 ern California. -
4 Thresher Shark, Alopias Vulpinus
4 Thresher Shark, Alopias vulpinus Thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus. Photo credit: Dale Sweetnam. History of the Fishery The common thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus, is the most common commercially landed shark in California. They are primarily caught using large mesh drift gill nets and hook and line gear, but are also caught incidentally with small mesh gill nets and harpoon. Prior to 1977, all sharks were reported in one market category and not separated by species, and it is assumed threshers were caught as bycatch in gears at levels similar or greater than today. The first significant fishery for thresher sharks began the late 1970s to early 1980s when drift gill net fishers began to target them close to the southern California coastline. The fishery expanded rapidly and, because of overfishing concerns, the California Department of Fish and Game (Department) as mandated by the State Legislature began an observer program, monitored landings and implemented a logbook program. A limited entry permit program for drift gill net gear was initiated in 1982, with permits issued to fishers rather than boats to prevent false inflation in value. The drift gill net fishery for thresher sharks peaked in 1981 when 113 Status of the Fisheries Report 2008 4-1 drift gill net boats landed nearly 600 tons (544 metric tons). However, total landings using all gears were highest the following year with a total of more than 1700 tons (1542 metric tons) taken by all gears (Figure 4-1). 2000 1500 1000 Landings (short tons) (short Landings 500 0 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 Year Figure 4-1. -
Great White Shark) on Appendix I of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Prop. 11.48 Proposal to include Carcharodon carcharias (Great White Shark) on Appendix I of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) A. PROPOSAL ..............................................................................................3 B. PROPONENT............................................................................................3 C. SUPPORTING STATEMENT....................................................................3 1. Taxonomy.........................................................................................................................3 1.1 Class.................................................................................................................................... 1.2 Order................................................................................................................................... 1.3 Family ................................................................................................................................. 1.4 Species ................................................................................................................................ 1.5 Scientific Synonyms............................................................................................................. 1.6 Common Names .................................................................................................................. 2. Biological Parameters......................................................................................................3 -
Download the Full Article As Pdf ⬇︎
LocalLockdown Diving — Dives Found in Contributors' Backyards Text and photos by Andrey Bizyukin, Larry Cohen, Brent Durand, Dmitry Efremychev, Jennifer Idol, Kate Jonker, Matthew Meier, Pete Mesley, Don Silcock, Olga Torrey and Martin Voeller As many divers face travel restrictions during the coronavi- rus pandemic, our contributors highlight the often overlooked or unsung yet intriguing div- ing that can be found in one's own backyard. X-Ray Mag contributors share their favorite local haunts—from a spring-fed Texan lake to a quarry and a sinkhole in Russia to the tem- perate waters off New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, New Jersey and Northern California to the subtropical waters of Southern California and Sydney, Australia—where they captured compelling underwater images. 58 X-RAY MAG : 101 : 2020 EDITORIAL FEATURES TRAVEL NEWS WRECKS EQUIPMENT BOOKS SCIENCE & ECOLOGY TECH EDUCATION PROFILES PHOTO & VIDEO PORTFOLIO MATTHEW MEIER feature Local Dives School of opaleye and garibaldi among sea grass and feather boa kelp. PREVIOUS PAGE: School of juvenile senorita fish in the kelp and sea grass beds Bat Ray Cove, San Clemente Island, Soupfin (tope) sharks can be seen swimming in California, USA the shallows and among the giant kelp, along with schools of blacksmith and jack mackerels. Text and photos by Matthew Meier California sea lions will swoop through intermittently, and the occasional harbor seal Thankfully, local diving is still possible during will play peak-a-boo in the kelp. the pandemic, and while this dive site requires Under the boat is a sandy bottom where boat access, it is still one of my favorites.