Jeffrey C. Carrier

Bio: Jeffrey C. Carrier is an academic researcher from Albion College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Mating. The author has an hindex of 20, co-authored 34 publications receiving 1947 citations.

Biology Of Sharks And Their Relatives

Abstract: PHYLOGENY AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY The Origin and Relationships of Early Chondrichthyes, Eileen D. Grogan and Richard Lund Historical Zoogeography of the Selachii, John A. Musick, Melanie M. Harbin, and Leonard .J.V. Compagno Phylogeny of Batoidea, John D. McEachran and Neil Aschliman Phylogeny and Classification of Extant Holocephali, Dominique A. Didier FORM, FUNCTION, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESSES Biomechanics of Locomotion in Sharks, Rays, and Chimeras, Cheryl A.D. Wilga and G. Lauder Prey Capture Behavior and Feeding Mechanics of Elasmobranchs, Philip J. Motta Metabolism, Energetic Demand, and Endothermy, John K. Carlson, Kenneth J. Goldman, and Christopher G. Lowe Food Consumption and Feeding Habits, Bradley M. Wetherbee and Enric Cortes Homeostasis: Osmoregulation, pH Regulation, and Nitrogen Excretion, David H. Evans, Peter M. Piermarini, and Keith P. Choe Reproductive Biology of Elasmobranchs, Jeffrey C. Carrier, Harold L. Pratt, Jr., and Jose I. Castro Hormonal Regulation of Elasmobranch Physiology, James Gelsleichter Sensory Biology of Elasmobranchs, Robert E. Hueter, David A. Mann, Karen P. Maruska, Joseph a. Sisneros, and Leo S. Demski The Immune System of Sharks, Skates, and Rays, Carl A. Luer, Catherine J. Walsh, and Ashby B. Bodine ECOLOGY AND LIFE HISTORY Age Determination and Validation in Chondrichthyan Fishes, Gregor M. Cailliet and Kenneth J. Goldman Life History Patterns, Demography, and Population Dynamics, Enric Cortes Genetics of Sharks, Skates, and Rays, Edward J. Heist Predator-Prey Interactions, Michael R. Heithaus Elasmobranchs as Hosts of Metazoan Parasites, Janine N. Caira and Claire J. Healy Assessing Habitat Use and Movement, Colin I. Simpfendorfer Michelle R. Heupel Subject Index Animal Index

A review of elasmobranch reproductive behavior with a case study on the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Abstract: Elasmobranch reproductive behavior has been inferred from freshly caught specimens, laboratory examinations of reproductive structures and function, or determined from direct observations of captive or free swimming wild animals. Several general behaviors have been described including seasonal sexual segregation, courtship and copulation. Courtship behavior was inferred for many species from the presence of scars and tooth cuts on the female's body, and noted in more detail from underwater observations. Copulation has been directly observed in captive settings for several species of elasmobranchs in large aquaria, and in the wild for three species of urolophids and for Triaenodon obesus and Ginglymostoma cirratum. A detailed ‘case history’ of nurse shark reproductive behavior is presented that may be used as a template for future work on shark reproductive behavior of other species. Our studies, using diver identifiable tags and in situ behavioral observations, provide unprecedented information on social structure and mating behavior in this species. Since 1993, 115 G. cirratum, 45 adults and 70 juveniles have been tagged in the Dry Tortugas, Florida. Observations show that adult males visit the study site every year with three males dominant. Individual adult females visit the study area to mate in alternate years. Polygyny and polyandry are common. Future research on reproductive behavior of elasmobranchs should address questions on male access to females, sexual selection and dominance hierarchies.

Global status and conservation potential of reef sharks

Abstract: Decades of overexploitation have devastated shark populations, leaving considerable doubt as to their ecological status1,2. Yet much of what is known about sharks has been inferred from catch records in industrial fisheries, whereas far less information is available about sharks that live in coastal habitats3. Here we address this knowledge gap using data from more than 15,000 standardized baited remote underwater video stations that were deployed on 371 reefs in 58 nations to estimate the conservation status of reef sharks globally. Our results reveal the profound impact that fishing has had on reef shark populations: we observed no sharks on almost 20% of the surveyed reefs. Reef sharks were almost completely absent from reefs in several nations, and shark depletion was strongly related to socio-economic conditions such as the size and proximity of the nearest market, poor governance and the density of the human population. However, opportunities for the conservation of reef sharks remain: shark sanctuaries, closed areas, catch limits and an absence of gillnets and longlines were associated with a substantially higher relative abundance of reef sharks. These results reveal several policy pathways for the restoration and management of reef shark populations, from direct top-down management of fishing to indirect improvement of governance conditions. Reef shark populations will only have a high chance of recovery by engaging key socio-economic aspects of tropical fisheries. Fishing has had a profound impact on global reef shark populations, and the absence or presence of sharks is strongly correlated with national socio-economic conditions and reef governance.

Group reproductive behaviors in free-living nurse sharks, Ginglymostoma cirratum

Abstract: Fifty mating events in free-living nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) were observed over a nine-day period in the Dry Tortugas island cluster in the Florida Keys. Four stages of mating were identified: precoupling, coupling, positioning and alignment, and insertion and copulation. Copulation was observed and filmed in four of the mating events. Seminal fluid released into the water was obtained following one copulation and showed the presence of free, nonpackaged sperm cells. At least 10 of the events involved multiple males attempting copulation with single females.

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

The Multifunctional Fish Gill: Dominant Site of Gas Exchange, Osmoregulation, Acid-Base Regulation, and Excretion of Nitrogenous Waste

Abstract: The fish gill is a multipurpose organ that, in addition to providing for aquatic gas exchange, plays dominant roles in osmotic and ionic regulation, acid-base regulation, and excretion of nitrogenous wastes Thus, despite the fact that all fish groups have functional kidneys, the gill epithelium is the site of many processes that are mediated by renal epithelia in terrestrial vertebrates Indeed, many of the pathways that mediate these processes in mammalian renal epithelial are expressed in the gill, and many of the extrinsic and intrinsic modulators of these processes are also found in fish endocrine tissues and the gill itself The basic patterns of gill physiology were outlined over a half century ago, but modern immunological and molecular techniques are bringing new insights into this complicated system Nevertheless, substantial questions about the evolution of these mechanisms and control remain

Extinction risk and conservation of the world's sharks and rays

Abstract: The rapid expansion of human activities threatens ocean-wide biodiversity. Numerous marine animal populations have declined, yet it remains unclear whether these trends are symptomatic of a chronic accumulation of global marine extinction risk. We present the first systematic analysis of threat for a globally distributed lineage of 1,041 chondrichthyan fishes—sharks, rays, and chimaeras. We estimate that one-quarter are threatened according to IUCN Red List criteria due to overfishing (targeted and incidental). Large-bodied, shallow-water species are at greatest risk and five out of the seven most threatened families are rays. Overall chondrichthyan extinction risk is substantially higher than for most other vertebrates, and only one-third of species are considered safe. Population depletion has occurred throughout the world's ice-free waters, but is particularly prevalent in the Indo-Pacific Biodiversity Triangle and Mediterranean Sea. Improved management of fisheries and trade is urgently needed to avoid extinctions and promote population recovery.

Patterns and ecosystem consequences of shark declines in the ocean.

Abstract: Whereas many land predators disappeared before their ecological roles were studied, the decline of marine apex predators is still unfolding. Large sharks in particular have experienced rapid declines over the last decades. In this study, we review the documented changes in exploited elasmobranch communities in coastal, demersal, and pelagic habitats, and synthesize the effects of sharks on their prey and wider communities. We show that the high natural diversity and abundance of sharks is vulnerable to even light fishing pressure. The decline of large predatory sharks reduces natural mortality in a range of prey, contributing to changes in abundance, distribution, and behaviour of small elasmobranchs, marine mammals, and sea turtles that have few other predators. Through direct predation and behavioural modifications, top-down effects of sharks have led to cascading changes in some coastal ecosystems. In demersal and pelagic communities, there is increasing evidence of mesopredator release, but cascading effects are more hypothetical. Here, fishing pressure on mesopredators may mask or even reverse some ecosystem effects. In conclusion, large sharks can exert strong top-down forces with the potential to shape marine communities over large spatial and temporal scales. Yet more empirical evidence is needed to test the generality of these effects throughout the ocean.