Sibert and Rubin (Reports, 4 June 2021, p. 1105) report an early Miocene extinction in pelagic sharks based on the loss of shark denticle diversity in two widely separated deep-sea sediment cores. We assert that the pattern observed is not a consequence of extinction but results from shifting species ranges induced by global current reorganization.
Namena is Fiji’s oldest and second largest no-take marine reserve, and has relatively high abundance and biomass of targeted fishes within its boundaries due to a high level of protection since its creation in 1997 (formalised in 2005). Following anecdotal reports of exceptionally high fish abundance at the Grand Central Station dive site within Namena, we conducted a 500-m meandering diver-operated video transect along the main reef formation, to obtain abundance, length and biomass estimates for fish species targeted by local fishers. Our census revealed extremely high diversity, abundance and biomass (11436kgha−1) of targeted fishes. While demersal reef fishes were present at higher densities than on typical fished reefs in the region, they were dwarfed by aggregations of reef-associated pelagics, namely the barracuda Sphyraena forsteri (5540kgha−1) and the trevally Caranx sexfasciatus (4448kgha−1). These estimates are comparable to those of historically unfished or ‘pristine’ locations, an unexpected finding given the historical fishing pressure within the reserve before its establishment and ongoing pressure in surrounding fished areas. This finding presents Grand Central Station as a useful reference site for ecologists and managers, and highlights the ability of protected coral reefs to support or attract very high densities of fish.
The type specimens of the subclass Elasmobranchii deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo are compiled in an annotated list, including updated measurements, verified collection data and recent photographs of holotypes and selected paratypes. Relevant information on the preservation condition of the specimens and their current taxonomic status are also provided. The collection holds a total of 135 lots of type specimens of elasmobranchs, three holotypes and seven paratypes in the division Selachii plus 16 holotypes, one neotype, and 108 paratypes in the division Batoidea (total specimen count: 137). Four paratypes were not located and one was donated to another institution, and publication mistakes in catalog numbers and locality assignments are corrected. The vast majority of specimens belong to the neotropical freshwater stingrays (subfamily Potamotrygoninae). The present catalogue intends to facilitate taxonomic research by providing access to updated information on type specimens of mostly large-sized taxa, which are notoriously difficult or impossible to examine outside of their home institution.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.