Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide
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 studi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43212-3 |
| _version_ | 1827633742030569472 |
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| author | Catalina Pimiento Camille Albouy Daniele Silvestro Théophile L. Mouton Laure Velez David Mouillot Aaron B. Judah John N. Griffin Fabien Leprieur |
| author_facet | Catalina Pimiento Camille Albouy Daniele Silvestro Théophile L. Mouton Laure Velez David Mouillot Aaron B. Judah John N. Griffin Fabien Leprieur |
| author_sort | Catalina Pimiento |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:03:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2f2ffb36708b4f4abacba78f12d1189c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:03:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj.art-2f2ffb36708b4f4abacba78f12d1189c2023-11-26T13:44:36ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232023-11-0114111310.1038/s41467-023-43212-3Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwideCatalina Pimiento0Camille Albouy1Daniele Silvestro2Théophile L. Mouton3Laure Velez4David Mouillot5Aaron B. Judah6John N. Griffin7Fabien Leprieur8Department of Paleontology, University of ZurichEcosystem and Landscape Evolution, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH ZurichDepartment of Biology, University of FribourgMARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRDMARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRDMARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRDDepartment of Biology, Dalhousie UniversityDepartment of Biosciences, Swansea UniversityMARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRDAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43212-3 |
| spellingShingle | Catalina Pimiento Camille Albouy Daniele Silvestro Théophile L. Mouton Laure Velez David Mouillot Aaron B. Judah John N. Griffin Fabien Leprieur Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide Nature Communications |
| title | Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide |
| title_full | Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide |
| title_fullStr | Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide |
| title_short | Functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide |
| title_sort | functional diversity of sharks and rays is highly vulnerable and supported by unique species and locations worldwide |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43212-3 |
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