Abstract
The interactions between the evolutionary history of species and contemporary changes in their environment can result in both positive and negative outcomes for fitness and survival. Sharks are one the oldest groups of all extant vertebrates but, today, are among the most threatened globally, primarily because of destructive fishing practices. Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) exhibit extremely specialized traits and complex behaviors that have increased their vulnerability to human exploitation, which impedes conservation efforts. By bringing together published data on aspects of hammerhead shark phylogeny, morphology, biology, physiology, and ecology, we argue that the same novel adaptations that have historically contributed to evolutionary success have become maladaptive under current levels and modes of exploitation. Therefore, we suggest that future management be made in light of - rather than in spite of - the unique evolutionary and ecological traits possessed by hammerhead sharks, because similar patterns are threatening other taxa with high extinction risk.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 619-624 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | BioScience |
| Volume | 64 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
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Keywords
- anthropogenic disturbance
- apex predator
- evolution
- specialization
- vulnerability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
Cite this
Evolved for extinction : The cost and conservation implications of specialization in hammerhead sharks. / Gallagher, Austin J.; Hammerschlag, Neil; Shiffman, David S.; Giery, Sean T.
In: BioScience, Vol. 64, No. 7, 2014, p. 619-624.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Evolved for extinction
T2 - The cost and conservation implications of specialization in hammerhead sharks
AU - Gallagher, Austin J.
AU - Hammerschlag, Neil
AU - Shiffman, David S.
AU - Giery, Sean T.
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - The interactions between the evolutionary history of species and contemporary changes in their environment can result in both positive and negative outcomes for fitness and survival. Sharks are one the oldest groups of all extant vertebrates but, today, are among the most threatened globally, primarily because of destructive fishing practices. Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) exhibit extremely specialized traits and complex behaviors that have increased their vulnerability to human exploitation, which impedes conservation efforts. By bringing together published data on aspects of hammerhead shark phylogeny, morphology, biology, physiology, and ecology, we argue that the same novel adaptations that have historically contributed to evolutionary success have become maladaptive under current levels and modes of exploitation. Therefore, we suggest that future management be made in light of - rather than in spite of - the unique evolutionary and ecological traits possessed by hammerhead sharks, because similar patterns are threatening other taxa with high extinction risk.
AB - The interactions between the evolutionary history of species and contemporary changes in their environment can result in both positive and negative outcomes for fitness and survival. Sharks are one the oldest groups of all extant vertebrates but, today, are among the most threatened globally, primarily because of destructive fishing practices. Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) exhibit extremely specialized traits and complex behaviors that have increased their vulnerability to human exploitation, which impedes conservation efforts. By bringing together published data on aspects of hammerhead shark phylogeny, morphology, biology, physiology, and ecology, we argue that the same novel adaptations that have historically contributed to evolutionary success have become maladaptive under current levels and modes of exploitation. Therefore, we suggest that future management be made in light of - rather than in spite of - the unique evolutionary and ecological traits possessed by hammerhead sharks, because similar patterns are threatening other taxa with high extinction risk.
KW - anthropogenic disturbance
KW - apex predator
KW - evolution
KW - specialization
KW - vulnerability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84904181900&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84904181900&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/biosci/biu071
DO - 10.1093/biosci/biu071
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84904181900
VL - 64
SP - 619
EP - 624
JO - BioScience
JF - BioScience
SN - 0006-3568
IS - 7
ER -