Use of presence vs absence of symphyseal teeth in jaws for the forensic analysis of bites by large traumatogenic shark species.

Identifying the species of shark responsible for a bite on humans is both complex and important for understanding and managing the shark risk. Depending on the species, tiny teeth may or may not be present in the symphyseal space at the junction of the upper and lower half-jaws. In the case of bites, these tiny teeth (if present) often leave specific marks that may enable species to be quickly and reliably distinguished. We first present the anatomo-morphological characteristics of the jaws of the three most traumatogenic species for humans which are the white, tiger, and bull sharks. The white shark has no symphyseal teeth, while the tiger and bull sharks do. On the basis of three confirmed real case studies involving those species, we then show that for the white shark, the wide symphyseal space between the first two teeth of each jaw usually leads to wounds including the presence of (quite) large flesh flaps, without any tooth imprint. Conversely, wounds following bites made by the tiger and bull sharks will generally leave characteristic small imprints of symphyseal teeth, especially in the case of incomplete or superficial bites. Although not systematic, this diagnostic approach provides fast, reliable, and clean results. The discrimination between two species with symphyseal teeth can then be made on the basis of complementary anatomic information such as jaw curvature and details linked to the anatomy of the teeth themselves, as well as the ecological context.

Severe cold-water bleaching of a deep-water reef underscores future challenges for Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems.

Elevated sea surface temperatures are causing an increase in coral bleaching events worldwide, and represent an existential threat to coral reefs. Early studies of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) highlighted their potential as thermal refuges for shallow-water coral species in the face of predicted 21st century warming. However, recent genetic evidence implies that limited ecological connectivity between shallow- and deep-water coral communities inhibits their effectiveness as refugia; instead MCEs host distinct endemic communities that are ecologically significant in and of themselves. In either scenario, understanding the response of MCEs to climate change is critical given their ecological significance and widespread global distribution. Such an understanding has so far eluded the community, however, because of the challenges associated with long-term field monitoring, the stochastic nature of climatic events that drive bleaching, and the paucity of deep-water observations. Here we document the first observed cold-water bleaching of a mesophotic coral reef at Clipperton Atoll, a remote Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) atoll with high coral cover and a well-developed MCE. The severe bleaching (>70 % partially or fully bleached coral cover at 32 m depth) was driven by an anomalously shallow thermocline, and highlights a significant and previously-unreported challenge for MCEs. Prompted by these observations, we compiled published cold-water bleaching events for the ETP, and demonstrate that the timing of past cold-water bleaching events in the ETP coincides with decadal oscillations in mean zonal wind strength and thermocline depth. The latter observation suggests any future intensification of easterly winds in the Pacific could be a significant concern for its MCEs. Our observations, in combination with recent reports of warm-water bleaching of Red Sea and Indian Ocean MCEs, highlight that 21st century MCEs in the Eastern Pacific face a two-pronged challenge: warm-water bleaching from above, and cold-water bleaching from below.

Risk profiles of elite breath-hold divers.

This study aimed to determine a typical profile of elite breath-hold divers (BHDs), in relation to loss of consciousness (LOC) and episodic memory. Forty-four BHDs were evaluated during a world championship with anthropometric and physiological measurements, psychosociological factors and memory assessment. Seventy-five percent of the BHDs had at least one LOC with the predominance being men (p < 0.05). Thirty six percent of BHDs presented a low-risk profile and 64% a high-risk profile with no particular psychological pattern. Stepwise multiple linear regression showed that body fat, years of BH practice, age and forced vital capacity explained a significant amount of the variance of LOC for all BHDs (F(4,39) = 16.03, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.622, R2Adjusted = 0.583). No correlation was found between resting physiological parameters and their training or depth performances. In conclusion, anthropometric data, pulmonary factors and breath-holding experience were predictive of LOC in elite BHDs, with men taking more risks. BHDs episodic memory was not impaired.

Behavioural heterogeneity across killer whale social units in their response to feeding opportunities from fisheries.

Intra-population heterogeneity in the behavioural response of predators to changes in prey availability caused by human activities can have major evolutionary implications. Among these activities, fisheries, while extracting resources, also provide new feeding opportunities for marine top predators. However, heterogeneity in the extent to which individuals have responded to these opportunities within populations is poorly understood. Here, we used 18 years of photo-identification data paired with statistical models to assess variation in the way killer whale social units within a subantarctic population (Crozet Islands) interact with fisheries to feed on fish caught on fishing gear (i.e., depredation behaviour). Our results indicate large heterogeneity in both the spatial and temporal extents of depredation across social units. While some frequently depredated on fishery catches over large areas, others sporadically did so and in small areas consistently over the years. These findings suggest that killer whale social units are exposed to varying levels of impacts of depredation, both negative (potential retaliation from fishers) and positive (food provisioning), on their life history traits, and may explain the contrasted demographic patterns observed within the declining population at Crozet but also potentially within the many other killer whale populations documented depredating on fisheries catches worldwide.

Directed conservation of the world's reef sharks and rays.

Many shark populations are in decline around the world, with severe ecological and economic consequences. Fisheries management and marine protected areas (MPAs) have both been heralded as solutions. However, the effectiveness of MPAs alone is questionable, particularly for globally threatened sharks and rays ('elasmobranchs'), with little known about how fisheries management and MPAs interact to conserve these species. Here we use a dedicated global survey of coral reef elasmobranchs to assess 66 fully protected areas embedded within a range of fisheries management regimes across 36 countries. We show that conservation benefits were primarily for reef-associated sharks, which were twice as abundant in fully protected areas compared with areas open to fishing. Conservation benefits were greatest in large protected areas that incorporate distinct reefs. However, the same benefits were not evident for rays or wide-ranging sharks that are both economically and ecologically important while also threatened with extinction. We show that conservation benefits from fully protected areas are close to doubled when embedded within areas of effective fisheries management, highlighting the importance of a mixed management approach of both effective fisheries management and well-designed fully protected areas to conserve tropical elasmobranch assemblages globally.