Journal article 606 views 63 downloads
Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide
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Camille Albouy,
Daniele Silvestro ,
Théophile L. Mouton ,
Laure Velez,
David Mouillot ,
Aaron B. Judah ,
John Griffin ,
Fabien Leprieur
Nature Communications, Volume: 14, Issue: 1
Swansea University Authors:
Catalina Pimiento , John Griffin
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DOI (Published version): 10.1038/s41467-023-43212-3
Abstract
Elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates) are among the most threatened marine vertebrates, yet their global functional diversity remains largely unknown. Here, we use a trait dataset of >1000 species to assess elasmobranch functional diversity and compare it against other previously studied biodiv...
| Published in: | Nature Communications |
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| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
| Published: |
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
2023
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65100 |
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| Abstract: |
Elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates) are among the most threatened marine vertebrates, yet their global functional diversity remains largely unknown. Here, we use a trait dataset of >1000 species to assess elasmobranch functional diversity and compare it against other previously studied biodiversity facets (taxonomic and phylogenetic), to identify species- and spatial- conservation priorities. We show that threatened species encompass the full extent of functional space and disproportionately include functionally distinct species. Applying the conservation metric FUSE (Functionally Unique, Specialised, and Endangered) reveals that most top-ranking species differ from the top Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) list. Spatial analyses further show that elasmobranch functional richness is concentrated along continental shelves and around oceanic islands, with 18 distinguishable hotspots. These hotspots only marginally overlap with those of other biodiversity facets, reflecting a distinct spatial fingerprint of functional diversity. Elasmobranch biodiversity facets converge with fishing pressure along the coast of China, which emerges as a critical frontier in conservation. Meanwhile, several components of elasmobranch functional diversity fall in high seas and/or outside the global network of marine protected areas. Overall, our results highlight acute vulnerability of the world’s elasmobranchs’ functional diversity and reveal global priorities for elasmobranch functional biodiversity previously overlooked. |
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| Keywords: |
Elasmobranchs, sharks, rays, functional diversity, conservation |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement (no. 663830) to C.P. C.P. is now funded by a PRIMA grant (no.185798) from the Swiss National Science Foundation. D.S. received funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation (PCEFP3_187012), the Swedish Research Council (V.R.: 2019-04739), and the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research MISTRA within the framework of the research programme BIOPATH (F 2022/1448). |
| Issue: |
1 |