The functional impacts of olfactory rosette variation in elasmobranchs is unresolved. Our goal was to quantify rosette morphology and shape from 14 species using dissections, phylogenetic comparisons, and microCT imaging. We hypothesized that lamellar count and rosette shape (fineness ratio) would not scale with animal size, but internal rosette size variables must scale positively. We found that fineness ratio and lamellar counts varied significantly among species, and were positively correlated. The first two principal components of the pPCA explained 82% of the variation, with fineness ratio and lamellar count contributing the most. There were no significant differences between rosette structure or volume when comparing dissected values to in situ values obtained using diceCT. Based on our results, we hypothesize that variations in rosette shape and morphology will impact hydrodynamics and optimize odorant detection, and these data can be used to create 3D models for future hydrodynamic studies. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The taxonomy of gnathiids is solely based on the morphology of the adult males since they are more frequently encountered than the other life stages, therefore female and larval gnathiid descriptions are sometimes absent from species descriptions. Thirty-eight of the almost 180 known gnathiid species are described from Australian waters, with 12 of these collected from the Great Barrier Reef. The only described species parasitising elasmobranchs is Gnathia pantherina Smit and Basson, 2002, a species found on South African sharks and rays. Scientists have examined the relationships between host size and abundance of parasitic larval gnathiid isopods on Heron Island. This is an indication that gnathiids do feed on elasmobranchs but the lack of sampling plays a big role. The objectives of this study are therefore to identify three gnathiid species found on various elasmobranchs from Australia. A phylogenetic analysis will be conducted to confirm whether these species belong to the genus Gnathia Leach, 1814, to determine the relationship between Australian and South African gnathiids species and to see whether there is a correlation between phylogeny and geographic distribution of members of this genus. The statistical analysis using Primer version 5 will be used to provide the specific characteristics responsible for these species groupings seen in the cladograms. Gnathiids were collected from 1996 to 1998 and during March 2002 from various elasmobranchs from Australia. The eight shark and ray species collected from Lizard Island, Heron Island (Shark Bay), and Moreton Bay were; Carcharinus amblyrhynchos Bleeker, 1856, Triaenodon obesus Rüppell, 1837, Rhynchobatus djiddensis Forsskål, 1775, Rhinobatos typus Bennett, 1830, Himantura fai Jordan & Seale, 1906, Taeniura lymma Forsskål, 1775, Urogymnus asperrimus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 and Pastinachus sephen Forsskål, 1775. Larval gnathiid isopods were found attached to the gill filaments and septum of all sharks collected, their numbers and attachment positions were also recorded. After removal from hosts, larvae were kept in fresh sea water until they moulted into adult stages. The males did not conform to descriptions of any known gnathiid species, and were considered to be new to science. The descriptions were based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations. Summary 9 A phylogenetic analysis was conducted to determine where these new species fit into the genus Gnathia and where the new genus Tenerognathia Tanaka, 2005 fits into the family Gnathiidae. The species Caecognathia cryptopais Barnard, 1925 was also included in this study to verify whether this species belongs to the genus Caecognathia Dollfus, 1901. Primer version 5 was used to determine the characteristics responsible for the specific groupings identified by the phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that these three species belong to the genus Gnathia and are only found on Australian elasmobranchs. The findings also contributed to new host records for gnathiids. According to the phylogenetic analysis these new species grouped with the only known elasmobranch gnathiid from southern Africa, G. pantherina. These species made a separate grouping within the Gnathia genus indicating that they have specific characteristics that set them apart from other gnathiids. These characteristics were identified using Primer version 5. It appears that elasmobranch gnathiids are to some extent bigger than teleost gnathiids, have a longer pleotelson and their pylopod’s 2nd article is not circular or conical. However, G. pantherina‘s (from southern Africa) 2nd pylopod article is circular as well as gnathiids from teleosts from the rest of South Africa and Australia. This signifies that this characteristic is host and location specific. The genus Tenerognathia grouped within the genus Gnathia. This might be due to incomplete characteristics information that makes up the data-matrix. The species Caecognathia cryptopais grouped within the genus Caecognathia, confirming that its classification was correct. In conclusion these species are newly described gnathiid species found for the first time on Australian elasmobranchs. This brings the number of known gnathiid species found on elasmobranchs to four. All three life stages were described for Gnathia trimaculata sp. n. and Gnathia australis sp. n and only the male and larvae for Gnathia nigrograndilaris sp. n. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that there is a correlation between Australian and South African elasmobranch gnathiids, elasmobranchs gnathiids and between phylogeny and geographical distribution. / Dr. N.J. Smit

No description available.

A utilização dos produtos provenientes de elasmobrânquios é demonstrada desde os primeiros grupos que habitaram o nosso litoral. Pode-se afirmar estas relações com o estudo dos sítios arqueológicos denominados sambaquis, que foram utilizados pelos grupos de pescadores-coletores do litoral. Analisamos sete sambaquis localizados no litoral do Estado de São Paulo: sambaqui Maratuá, sambaqui do Mar Casado, sambaqui do Buracão, sambaquis Cosipa e sambaqui Piaçaguera (Baixada Santista), sítio Tenório e sítio do Mar Virado (Litoral Norte). Foram analisados 15.447 elementos faunísticos de elasmobrânquios, onde se identificou 16 espécies: tubarão-mangona - Carcharias taurus, tubarão-raposa - Alopias vulpinus, tubarão-branco - Carcharodon carcharias, anequim - Isurus oxyrinchus, Carcharhinus sp., tubarão-cabeça-chata - C. leucas, tubarão-fidalgo - C. obscurus, cação-baleeiro - C. plumbeus, tubarão-tigre - Galeocerdo cuvier, tubarão-azul - Prionace glauca, cação-frango - Rhizoprionodon sp., tubarão-martelo - Sphyrna tiburo, raia-serra - Pristis sp., raia-morcego - Aetobatus narinari, raia-sapo - Myliobatis goodei e raia-ticonha - Rhinoptera bonasus. Os grupos de pescadores-coletores utilizam os dentes, vértebras e ferrões dos tubarões e raias principalmente como instrumentos e adornos. A identificação de espécies de elasmobrânquios em sambaquis demonstra a relação e utilização destes pelo homem, conseqüentemente apresentando grande significância para vários grupos costeiros não só de nossa costa como em todas as regiões do mundo / The use of the originating products of elasmobranchs is demonstrated by them from the first groups that lived in our coast. It is possible to affirm these relations with the study of the archaeological so-called shell mounds, which were used by the groups of fishing-gatherers of the coast. We analyse seven shell mounds located in the coast of the State of São Paulo: sambaqui Maratuá, sambaqui do Mar Casado, sambaqui do Buracão, sambaquis Cosipa, sambaqui Piaçaguera, sítio Tenório e sítio do Mar Virado. 15.447 elements elasmobranchs faunal remains were analysed, where one identified 16 species: sandtiger shark - Carcharias taurus, thresher shark - Alopias vulpinus, white shark - Carcharodon carcharias, shortfin mako - Isurus oxyrinchus, Carcharhinus sp., bull shark - C. leucas, dusky shark - C. obscurus, sandbar shark - C. plumbeus, tiger shark - Galeocerdo cuvier, blue shark - Prionace glauca, sharpnose shark - Rhizoprionodon sp., bonnethead shark - Sphyrna tiburo, sawfish - Pristis sp., bat ray - Aetobatus narinari, eagle ray - Myliobatis goodei e cownose ray - Rhinoptera bonasus. The groups of fishig-gatherers use the teeth, vertebrae and spines of the sharks and you shine principally like instruments and adornments. The identification of species of elasmobranchs in shell mounds, it demonstrates the relation and use of this for the human being, consequently presenting great signification for several coastal groups not only of our coast I eat in all the regions of the world

Elasmobranchs play ecologically important roles in coastal environments. Unfortunately, the basic distribution and movement patterns of these species, particularly rays, remain relatively unknown. This is especially true for the Whitespotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari), a protected species in Florida with poorly described migratory and habitat use patterns. I employed a combination of acoustic telemetry techniques to reveal multi-scale spatial patterns of A. narinari around Florida. Movement patterns between the east and west coast individuals were distinct; a majority of west coast tagged A. narinari exhibited migratory or transient behavior while most east coast tagged individuals remained resident in the Indian River Lagoon. Fine-scale tracking of A. narinari revealed individuals spent a large percentage of time in the inlets and channels and frequently reused habitats parallel to the shore. This study fills a knowledge gap on the species ecology which may be used for adaptive management strategies throughout A. narinari’s range. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has experienced myriad anthropogenic impacts and knowledge on elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in the southern IRL is lacking. A fishery independent survey (longline/gillnet) was implemented to 1) assess the effects of bait type [striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) versus Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)] and mesh size (15.2 cm versus 20.3 cm stretch mesh) on elasmobranch species composition, catch-per-unit effort, and size distributions and 2) characterize elasmobranch abundance and distribution. From 2016 - 2018, 630 individuals (16 species) were captured, more often in the gillnet than the longline. Catch-per-unit-effort was significantly higher with mullet than mackerel. Species composition differed among gears. Although dependent on gear, there was evidence of seasonal and spatial patterns in abundance and species composition. This study provides the first baseline abundance indices for many elasmobranchs in the IRL and develops the capacity to understand how elasmobranchs may respond to changes in this highly modified estuary. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Sous l'effet de la pêche, de nombreuses espèces de raies des eaux européennes ont décliné au cours du 20ème siècle. La conservation de ces espèces est un objectif majeur quant à la gestion des ressources marines. La raie bouclée (Raja clavata) est l'espèce de raie la plus répandue d'Atlantique Nord-Est. Sa gestion, basée sur un quota non spécifique, repose principalement sur les observations scientifiques et professionnelles et non sur des méthodes d'évaluations d'abondance. Les objectifs de cette thèse consistent ainsi à comparer les méthodes d'évaluations d'abondances disponibles pour cette espèce et à les appliquer aux données disponiblesDeux grands axes sont creusés : l'utilisation de méthodes basées sur la démographie de l'espèce et de méthodes basées sur la génétique. / During the 20th century, several skates and rays species in European waters declined because of fishing. Conservation of these species is a major objective of the management of marine resources. The thornback ray (Raja clavata) is the most widespread species of the North-Est Atlantic. Its management is based on a nonspecific quota and lay on observations only as no stock assessment is available.Thus this thesis aims to compare the available stock assessments methods for this species and to apply them to empiric data. Two types of methods are investigated: methods based on population demography and methods based on population genetics.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente trabalho analisou o conteúdo estomacal de cinco espécies de elasmobrânquios, sendo 9 estômagos de Psammobatis rutrum, 83 de Psammobatis extenta, 59 de Atlantoraja cyclophora, 112 de Rioraja agassizi e 43 de Rhizoprionodon lalandii, com o objetivo de obter informações sobre os hábitos alimentares dessas espécies, além de verificar a formação de guildas tróficas entre as espécies estudadas. As coletas ocorreram entre janeiro de 2006 e agosto de 2007, no litoral sul do Rio de Janeiro, ao largo da Ilha Grande. Os itens alimentares encontrados foram analisados quanto a Frequência de Ocorrência, Peso Percentual e Índice Alimentar, sendo a dieta de cada espécie avaliada considerando toda amostra, de acordo com o sexo dos indivíduos, estádios de maturidade e épocas do ano. Para investigar a similaridade entre as dietas e verificar a formação de guildas tróficas foi realizada uma Análise de Escalonamento Multidimensional (MDS). As dietas de Psammobatis rutrum e Psammobatis extenta foram consideradas carcino-bentófagas, com grande importância de camarões. O principal item para Atlantoraja cyclophora foi o siri Portunus spinicarpus, sendo a dieta considerada principalmente carcino-bentófaga, mas também com grande importância de teleósteos. Em Rioraja agassizi, a dieta foi considerada principalmente carcino-bentófaga, mas também com forte influência ictiófaga. Já o comportamento alimentar de Rhizoprionodon lalandii foi considerado ictio-bentófago. A dieta entre os sexos apresentou uma alta sobreposição em P. extenta, A. cyclophora e R. lalandii, mas para R. agassizi essa sobreposição foi considerada baixa. Entre os estádios de maturidade a sobreposição foi pequena para P. extenta e R. agassizi, entretanto para A. cyclophora e R. lalandii essa sobreposição foi elevada. Os exemplares maiores, aparentemente apresentaram preferência a se alimentarem de peixes, enquanto que predadores de menor porte se restringem aos invertebrados, basicamente crustáceos. Para todas as espécies foram identificadas alterações sazonais na importância dos itens alimentares, que pode ser explicado pelas oscilações naturais na composição e abundancia das presas potenciais em consequência das variações das massas de água na plataforma continental do sul fluminense. Os resultados indicaram a formação de 2 guildas, sendo a guilda 1 composta por P. rutrum e P extenta e com uma dieta principalmente de crustáceos (camarões) e a guilda 2 composta por A. cyclophora, R. agassizi e R. lalandii apresentando uma alimentação em Crustáceos e em Teleósteos. / This study examined the stomach contents of 9 specimens of Psammobatis rutrum, 83 of Psammobatis extenta, 59 of Atlantoraja cyclophora, 112 of Rioraja agassizi and 43 of Rhizoprionodon lalandii, in order to provide information about the diet of these species, besides verifying the formation of trophic guilds between the species studied. Sampling was carried out off the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro, from January 2006 to August 2007. The food items were analyzed by Frequency of Occurrence, Percentage Weight and Alimentary Index. The diet of each species was evaluated considering the whole sample, according to the sex of the individuals, stages of maturity and seasons. An analysis of Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) was performed to investigate the similarity between diets and to verify the formation of trophic guilds among the studied species. Psammobatis rutrum and Psammobatis extenta were considered benthic crustacean feeders. Atlantoraja cyclophora feed mainly in the crab Portunus spinicarpus, but teleosts were also important. The diet of Rioraja agassizi were mainly in crustacean and teleosts and Rhizoprionodon lalandii was considered a benthic teleost feeder. The diet between sexes showed a high overlap for P. extenta, A. cyclophora and R. lalandii, but for R. agassizi this overlap was considered low. Between the maturity stages overlap was low for P. extenta and R. agassizi, however for A. cyclophora and R. lalandii it was high. Apparently, larger specimens showed a preference to feed on fish and smaller predators restricted to invertebrates, mainly crustaceans. For all species were identified seasonal changes in the importance of food items and this can be consequence by natural fluctuations in the composition and abundance of potential prey as a result of variations of water masses on the continental shelf. The results showed that 2 guilds were formed. The guild 1 was composed by P. extenta and P. rutrum, with a diet mainly in crustacea, and the guild 2 was composed by A. cyclophora, R. agassizi and R.lalandii, that feeding on crustacea and teleosts

Submitted by HELEN COLBACHINI (hcolbachini@gmail.com) on 2018-04-18T00:26:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Helen Colbachini_Dissertação Zoologia.pdf: 2645399 bytes, checksum: 2048a35ec7b7829866e0808d2a32a21a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Aparecida Puerta null (dripuerta@rc.unesp.br) on 2018-04-18T14:22:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 colbachini_h_me_rcla.pdf: 2470317 bytes, checksum: c173d0ab9c5bac9898e58bb4a42e3e4a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-18T14:22:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 colbachini_h_me_rcla.pdf: 2470317 bytes, checksum: c173d0ab9c5bac9898e58bb4a42e3e4a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O cação-lixa, Ginglymostoma cirratum, é um dos tubarões mais exibidos em Aquários no mundo, porém a taxa de insucesso reprodutivo desta espécie ainda é alta. Considerando a provável mediação olfativa para a sua reprodução e o potencial de enriquecimentos ambientais afetarem positivamente a reprodução de animais sob cuidados humanos, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar se a utilização de enriquecimento olfativo geraria efeitos na exibição de comportamentos reprodutivos de cação-lixa, bem como se esse efeito seria diferencial de acordo com o sexo. Este trabalho também propôs avaliar a proximidade física como um indicativo de comportamento proceptivo de fêmeas. O estudo foi dividido em três fases (controle – sem enriquecimento; enriquecimento a curto prazo – recém aplicado; enriquecimento a longo prazo – após incorporado na rotina de manejo) e foi realizado em duas instituições com manejos distintos. O enriquecimento utilizado foi manjericão comercial (Ocimum basilicum), inicialmente apresentado na forma de bloco de gelo e, para o estudo a longo prazo, apresentado na forma de extrato. As observações comportamentais ocorreram através da amostragem focal com registro instantâneo, totalizando 120 horas de observação por animal, divididas em dois momentos (ativo e inativo). Os resultados indicam maior atividade relacionada ao período noturno e às sessões de alimentação; maior frequência de ocorrência de comportamentos reprodutivos no período inativo, no sexo masculino e nas fases com enriquecimento ambiental; maior riqueza comportamental em machos e na fase de enriquecimento a longo prazo. A análise de proximidade mostrou-se eficiente como indicativa de comportamento sócio-sexual, assim como o comportamento “movimento corporal”. É importante atentar que os efeitos são diferenciados para os sexos, sendo essencial o acompanhamento próximo e a criação de cronogramas para evitar uma super-estimulação ou uma habituação ao enriquecimento. Apesar disso, o fato da maior frequência de comportamentos reprodutivos ter ocorrido no período inativo facilita este acompanhamento, visto que se refere ao período de funcionamento de instituições zoológico (dia). Por fim, com a definição dos comportamentos proceptivos faz-se possível determinar quais fêmeas estão receptivas e assim delinear programas reprodutivos mais eficientes. Esses resultados destacam a importância de possuir um manejo que estimule constantemente os sentidos dos elasmobrânquios, especialmente em instituições que desejem realizar programas de reprodução. / Nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, is one of the most exhibited sharks in Aquariums in the world, however, the reproductive failure rate of this species continues high. Since there probably is an olfactory mediation for its reproduction and environmental enrichments have a potential positive effect on the reproduction of captive animals, the present study aimed to evaluate whether the use of olfactory enrichment would generate effects in the exhibition of reproductive behaviors of nurse sharks, as well as if this effect would be differential according to sex. This study also proposed to evaluate physical proximity as an indicative of proceptive female behavior. The study was divided in three phases (control – without enrichment, shortterm enrichment – recently applied, long-term enrichment – after being incorporated into the management routine) and was performed in two institutions with distinct husbandry. The enrichment used was commercial basil (Ocimum basilicum), which was initially prepared as an ice block and, for the long-term phase, presented as an extract. The behavioral observations were performed through focal sampling with instantaneous recording, totaling 120 hours of observation per animal, divided into two moments (active and inactive). Results show greater activity related to nocturnal period and feeding sessions; greater frequency of occurrence of reproductive behaviors in the inactive period, with males and during the long-term enriched phase. The proximity analysis was efficient as indicative of socio-sexual behavior, as well as the “body movement” behavior. It is important to note that the enrichment effects are differentiated for the sexes and therefore, close monitoring and scheduling are essential to avoid over-stimulation or habituation to the enrichment. Nevertheless, the fact that the greater frequency of reproductive behavior occurred during the inactive period facilitates this monitoring, since it refers to the operating hours of zoological institutions (daytime). Finally, with the definition of proceptive behavior, it is possible to determine which females are receptive and thus, to delineate more efficient breeding programs. These results highlight the importance of having a management that constantly stimulates the senses of elasmobranchs, especially in institutions that aims to carry out breeding programs.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente trabalho analisou o conteúdo estomacal de cinco espécies de elasmobrânquios, sendo 9 estômagos de Psammobatis rutrum, 83 de Psammobatis extenta, 59 de Atlantoraja cyclophora, 112 de Rioraja agassizi e 43 de Rhizoprionodon lalandii, com o objetivo de obter informações sobre os hábitos alimentares dessas espécies, além de verificar a formação de guildas tróficas entre as espécies estudadas. As coletas ocorreram entre janeiro de 2006 e agosto de 2007, no litoral sul do Rio de Janeiro, ao largo da Ilha Grande. Os itens alimentares encontrados foram analisados quanto a Frequência de Ocorrência, Peso Percentual e Índice Alimentar, sendo a dieta de cada espécie avaliada considerando toda amostra, de acordo com o sexo dos indivíduos, estádios de maturidade e épocas do ano. Para investigar a similaridade entre as dietas e verificar a formação de guildas tróficas foi realizada uma Análise de Escalonamento Multidimensional (MDS). As dietas de Psammobatis rutrum e Psammobatis extenta foram consideradas carcino-bentófagas, com grande importância de camarões. O principal item para Atlantoraja cyclophora foi o siri Portunus spinicarpus, sendo a dieta considerada principalmente carcino-bentófaga, mas também com grande importância de teleósteos. Em Rioraja agassizi, a dieta foi considerada principalmente carcino-bentófaga, mas também com forte influência ictiófaga. Já o comportamento alimentar de Rhizoprionodon lalandii foi considerado ictio-bentófago. A dieta entre os sexos apresentou uma alta sobreposição em P. extenta, A. cyclophora e R. lalandii, mas para R. agassizi essa sobreposição foi considerada baixa. Entre os estádios de maturidade a sobreposição foi pequena para P. extenta e R. agassizi, entretanto para A. cyclophora e R. lalandii essa sobreposição foi elevada. Os exemplares maiores, aparentemente apresentaram preferência a se alimentarem de peixes, enquanto que predadores de menor porte se restringem aos invertebrados, basicamente crustáceos. Para todas as espécies foram identificadas alterações sazonais na importância dos itens alimentares, que pode ser explicado pelas oscilações naturais na composição e abundancia das presas potenciais em consequência das variações das massas de água na plataforma continental do sul fluminense. Os resultados indicaram a formação de 2 guildas, sendo a guilda 1 composta por P. rutrum e P extenta e com uma dieta principalmente de crustáceos (camarões) e a guilda 2 composta por A. cyclophora, R. agassizi e R. lalandii apresentando uma alimentação em Crustáceos e em Teleósteos. / This study examined the stomach contents of 9 specimens of Psammobatis rutrum, 83 of Psammobatis extenta, 59 of Atlantoraja cyclophora, 112 of Rioraja agassizi and 43 of Rhizoprionodon lalandii, in order to provide information about the diet of these species, besides verifying the formation of trophic guilds between the species studied. Sampling was carried out off the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro, from January 2006 to August 2007. The food items were analyzed by Frequency of Occurrence, Percentage Weight and Alimentary Index. The diet of each species was evaluated considering the whole sample, according to the sex of the individuals, stages of maturity and seasons. An analysis of Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) was performed to investigate the similarity between diets and to verify the formation of trophic guilds among the studied species. Psammobatis rutrum and Psammobatis extenta were considered benthic crustacean feeders. Atlantoraja cyclophora feed mainly in the crab Portunus spinicarpus, but teleosts were also important. The diet of Rioraja agassizi were mainly in crustacean and teleosts and Rhizoprionodon lalandii was considered a benthic teleost feeder. The diet between sexes showed a high overlap for P. extenta, A. cyclophora and R. lalandii, but for R. agassizi this overlap was considered low. Between the maturity stages overlap was low for P. extenta and R. agassizi, however for A. cyclophora and R. lalandii it was high. Apparently, larger specimens showed a preference to feed on fish and smaller predators restricted to invertebrates, mainly crustaceans. For all species were identified seasonal changes in the importance of food items and this can be consequence by natural fluctuations in the composition and abundance of potential prey as a result of variations of water masses on the continental shelf. The results showed that 2 guilds were formed. The guild 1 was composed by P. extenta and P. rutrum, with a diet mainly in crustacea, and the guild 2 was composed by A. cyclophora, R. agassizi and R.lalandii, that feeding on crustacea and teleosts