Theoretical and Applied Ichthyology Lab (LICTA), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Postgraduate Program in Ecology and Evolution (PPGEE), Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
PeerJ. 2023 Jun 15;11:e15540. doi: 10.7717/peerj.15540. eCollection 2023.
Human activities have led to the loss of critical habitats for aquatic species at such an accelerated rate that habitat modification is considered a leading threat to biodiversity. Sharks and rays are considered the second most threatened group of vertebrates that have also suffered from habitat loss, especially in nursery grounds and reef-associated species. In this sense, actions toward the conservation of critical grounds for species survival are urgently needed, especially for those threatened with extinction. This study aimed to gather and provide information on the worldwide distribution and habitat association of the Atlantic Nurse Shark through a literature review performed at the Dimensions research database. A total of 30 studies published between 1950 and 2021 were retained since they defined at least the type of habitat in which was associated. Most studies covered the Floridian ecoregion, where is more common and abundant. Reefs, seagrass, sandy, rocky, mangrove, and macroalgae accounted for the majority of habitat associations, with a higher diversity of habitats detected within marine protected areas (MPAs). was recorded at a maximum depth of 75 m, temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 34 °C, and salinities between 31 and 38 ppt. Neonates were associated with shallower habitats (<20 m), mostly reefs, rocks, macroalgae, sandy shores, and seagrass, in an average temperature of 26 °C and salinity of 36 ppt. Breeding events and habitats were reported by 11 studies, 72.7% of them in shallow waters, mostly inside MPAs (90.9%). Our findings highlighted the key role played by MPAs in protecting essential grounds for threatened species, such as the Atlantic Nurse Shark. Major ecoregions (., the Eastern Atlantic) are still underrepresented in the scientific literature as long as studies aim specifically to assess habitat association. Thus, further insights into the essential habitats needed to conserve the Atlantic Nurse Shark can still emerge from future studies. Considering the recent IUCN extinction risk status change in (., to ), new conservation measures that integrate habitat protection and management are urgently needed and should consider the data collected herein.
人类活动导致水生物种的关键栖息地以如此快的速度丧失，以至于栖息地的改变被认为是生物多样性的主要威胁之一。鲨鱼和鳐鱼被认为是第二大受到威胁的脊椎动物群体，它们也因栖息地丧失而遭受损失，尤其是在育苗场和与珊瑚礁相关的物种中。从这个意义上说，迫切需要采取行动保护物种生存的关键栖息地，特别是那些濒临灭绝的物种。本研究旨在通过在 Dimensions 研究数据库中进行文献回顾，收集和提供有关大西洋护士鲨全球分布和栖息地关联的信息。共保留了 1950 年至 2021 年期间发表的 30 项研究，因为这些研究至少定义了与之相关的栖息地类型。大多数研究涵盖了佛罗里达州的生态区，在那里更为常见和丰富。珊瑚礁、海草、沙质、岩石、红树林和大型藻类占栖息地关联的大部分，在海洋保护区（MPAs）内检测到更多样化的栖息地。记录到最大深度为 75 米，温度范围为 25°C 至 34°C，盐度在 31 至 38 ppt 之间。新生儿与较浅的栖息地（<20 米）相关，主要是珊瑚礁、岩石、大型藻类、沙质海岸和海草，平均温度为 26°C，盐度为 36 ppt。11 项研究报告了繁殖事件和栖息地，其中 72.7%在浅水区，主要在海洋保护区内（90.9%）。我们的研究结果强调了海洋保护区在保护受威胁物种的关键栖息地方面所发挥的关键作用，例如大西洋护士鲨。主要的生态区（例如，东大西洋）在科学文献中仍然代表性不足，只要研究旨在专门评估护士鲨的栖息地关联。因此，从未来的研究中仍可以进一步了解保护大西洋护士鲨所需的关键栖息地。考虑到最近国际自然保护联盟对护士鲨灭绝风险状况的改变（从., 到.），迫切需要采取新的保护措施，将栖息地保护和管理结合起来，并应考虑本文收集的数据。
