3rd Edition
Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives
Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives is an award-winning and groundbreaking exploration of the fundamental elements of the taxonomy, systematics, physiology, and ecology of sharks, skates, rays, and chimera. This edition presents current research as well as traditional models, to provide future researchers with solid historical foundations in shark research as well as presenting current trends from which to develop new frontiers in their own work.
Traditional areas of study such as age and growth, reproduction, taxonomy and systematics, sensory biology, and ecology are updated with contemporary research that incorporates emerging techniques including molecular genetics, exploratory techniques in artificial insemination, and the rapidly expanding fields of satellite tracking, remote sensing, accelerometry, and imaging.
With two new editors and 90 contributors from the US, UK, South Africa, Portugal, France, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, India, Palau, United Arab Emirates, Micronesia, Sweden, Argentina, Indonesia, Cameroon, and the Netherlands, this third edition is the most global and comprehensive yet. It adds six new chapters representing extensive studies of health, stress, disease and pathology, and social structure, and continues to explore elasmobranch ecological roles and interactions with their habitats. The book concludes with a comprehensive review of conservation policies, management, and strategies, as well as consideration of the potential effects of impending climate change.
Presenting cohesive and integrated coverage of key topics and discussing technological advances used in modern shark research, this revised edition offers a well-rounded picture for students and researchers.
1 Bridging the Gap Between Chondrichthyan Paleobiology and Biology
Lisa B. Whitenack, Sora L. Kim, and Elizabeth C. Sibert
2 Taxonomy and Diversity of Extant Elasmobranchs
William T. White, Helen O’Neill, and Gavin J.P. Naylor
3 How to Build a Shark: Biomechanics and Bioinspiration
E.W. Misty Paig-Tran, Marianne E. Porter, Lara A. Ferry, and Lisa B. Whitenack
4 Advances in Chondrichthyan Neurobiology
Kara E. Yopak
5 Advances in the Sensory Biology of Elasmobranchs
Tricia L. Meredith, Stephen M. Kajiura, Kyle C. Newton, Timothy C. Tricas, and Christine N. Bedore
6 Understanding Age and Growth of Chondrichthyan Fishes
Alastair V Harry, Jonathan J. Smart, and Sebastián A. Pardo
7 Elasmobranch Mating Systems
Aletta Bester-van der Merwe, Kady Lyons, Dovi Kacev, and Kevin Feldheim
8 Molecular Aspects of Elasmobranch Reproduction and Artificial Insemination
Jennifer T. Wyffels and Linda M. Penfold
9 Selected Topics in the Developmental Biology of Chondrichthyan Fishes
Carl A. Luer and Jennifer T. Wyffels
10 Physiological and Applied Energetics of Elasmobranch Fishes
Adrian C. Gleiss, Jason R. Treberg, Evan E. Byrnes, and Karissa O. Lear
11 Elasmobranch Foraging Strategies and Tactics of Elasmobranchs
Samantha Munroe, Lauren Meyer, and Michael R. Heithaus
12 Advances in Methods, Understanding, and Applications of Elasmobranch Movement Ecology
Christopher G. Mull, Samantha Andrzejaczek, Vinay Udyawer, and Ross G. Dwyer
13 Stress Responses, Health, and Diseases of Elasmobranchs
Joanna Borucinska and Gregory Skomal
14 Elasmobranch Health, Pathology and the Host Microbiome
Alisa L. Newton and Kim B. Ritchie
15 Advances in Our Understanding of the Ecological Importance of Sharks and Their Relatives
Michael R. Heithaus, Ruth E. Dunn, N. Frances Farabaugh, E. Lester, E. Madin, M. Meekan, Y. P. Papastamatiou, G. Roff, J. J. Vaudo, and A. J. Wirsing
16 Population Structure and Connectivity of Chondrichthyans
Madeline E. Green, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, and Floriaan Devloo-Delva
17 Shark and Ray Social Lives: Form, Function, and Ecological Significance of Associations and Grouping
Yannis P. Papastamatiou, Johann Mourier, Catarina Vila Pouca, Tristan Guttridge, and David M.P. Jacoby
18 Freshwater and Euryhaline Elasmobranchs
Peter M. Kyne and Luis O. Lucifora
19 Deepwater Chondrichthyans
Brittany Finucci, Charles F. Cotton, R. Dean Grubbs, K.K. Bineesh, and Teresa Moura
20 The Elasmobranchs of Coral Reefs
Demian D. Chapman, M. Aaron MacNeil, Michelle R. Heupel, Mark Meekan, Euan S. Harvey, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, and Michael R. Heithaus
21 Conservation Science for Sharks and Rays
Lindsay N.K. Davidson, Vanessa F. Jaiteh, Andrew Chin, Rima W. Jabado, Leontine Baje, Daniel Fernando, David E. Sabadin, Benaya M. Simeon, and Alex Tamo
22 Elasmobranch Conservation Policy: Progress and Priorities
Sonja V. Fordham, Julia M. Lawson, Olga Koubrak, and Melissa R. Cronin
23 Guiding Random Acts of Kindness: Conservation Planning for Sharks and Rays
Nicholas K. Dulvy and Colin A. Simpfendorfer
24 Strategies to Reduce Fisheries Bycatch Mortality in Chondrichthyans
John W. Mandelman, Jeffrey R. Kneebone, Alexia Morgan, Jefferson Murua, and Emily Jones
25 Climate Change and Sharks
Jodie L. Rummer, Ian A. Bouyoucos, Carolyn Wheeler, Catarina Santos, and Rui Rosa
Biography
Jeffrey C. Carrier, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michael R. Heithaus, Kara E. Yopak
With this third edition of the information-packed series The Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, editors Carrier et al. have again recruited leading researchers in the field to provide the latest technical information in elasmobranch science. Once characterized as perhaps the least understood group of vertebrates, sharks and their relatives have come under intense study over the past five decades, culminating in the extensive knowledge presented in this volume. From more traditional topics in elasmobranch biology to the timely issues of conservation and climate change, this book shows we can no longer say that sharks are poorly understood. Clearly, our field has come a long way, and it's all here in this comprehensive reference.Dr Robert E. Hueter, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Mote Marine Laboratory and OCEARCH Chief Scientist, USA
One could not hope for a more comprehensive presentation of current research in traditional and contemporary areas of study pertaining to sharks and their relatives. I anticipate that every student of this fascinating group of animals, no matter the stage of their career, will want to own this book.
Dr Sheldon Dudley, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Cape Town, South Africa
This is the premier book on the biology of sharks and their relatives. The editors have gathered the world’s top experts on each topic to provide comprehensive insights into the diversity, lives, and conservation of this fascinating group. The book covers the sharks living in habitats from the Amazon River, to coral reefs, down to the abyssal plains, while also reviewing, updating, and setting future research directions across many fields of study, from paleontology to neurobiology. The chapters are clearly presented to provide an entry point for students, naturalists, or other people that are interested in these amazing species, and will be the go-to resource for shark researchers for years to come.
Dr Simon J. Pierce, co-founder and Principal Scientist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation, USA
Whether you are a scientist, policymaker, or advocate, The Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives, is essential reading. Beginning with a review of the evolutionary history of Chondrichthyans, followed by an examination of their biology, physiology, ecology, and conservation policies and ending with a review of the impacts of climate change, this book should be the first stop in the search for answers to the threats facing these critically important animals.
Lee Crockett, Executive Director of the Shark Conservation Fund, USA
