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An acoustic telemetry network for the angelshark in the Canary Islands

5 June 2018 | News |

Scientists from ElasmoCan implemented the first marine acoustic telemetry network in the Canary Islands with the support from the Ministry for Ecologic Transition through the Biodiversity Foundation and Loro Parque Fundación. The research project will allow a continuous monitoring of the angelsharks Squatina squatina and will provide new information about their behaviour in critical areas from the Canary Islands. This knowledge is required to have a scientific basis in the strategies of the Special Conservation Areas (SACs) from the Natura 2000 network. The researchers from ElasmoCan consider the SAC “Costa Sardina del Norte” (Gáldar, Gran Canaria) as one of the critical areas for several coastal shark and ray species, especially for angelsharks. They have been able to confirm that these sharks develop all the activities from their life cycle in the bay of Sardina and photo-identification revealed the presence of the same adult individuals over several years in the this area. Even though, the knowledge and understanding of the habitat selection, residency and movement patterns from the angelsharks is limited. Given the importance of these aspects, it is a priority to obtain detailed knowledge about them and the role of the SACs in the life cycle of these sharks. Therefore, ElasmoCan presented the scientific initiative “Monitoring network for the angelshark Squatina squatina in the SAC Costa de Sardina del Norte: creating knowledge for its conservation” in the Biodiversity Foundation call for proposals 2017. The project intends a continuous tracing of the species over time within the SAC, to determine its movement patterns, to identify residence patterns, describe the habitat use and to raise public awareness about the presence and...

First satellite tagging of a shark in the Canary Islands

14 December 2017 | News |

Scientists from ElasmoCan were able to tag the first shark in the Canary Islands with a satellite device, thanks to the funding from Loro Parque Fundación. This will allow them to study its movement range, and preferences for depth and temperature.   The tagged individual is a hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena, whose knowledge in the Islands is limited to its presence and scarce sighting information in social media. These sharks are caught in a wide range of fishery gear and with high mortality rates. Their swimming capacities and behavior makes that this occurs over extensive areas, that can cross the borders of different countries, hindering the formulation of effective conservation measures.   ElasmoCan developed the research project HAMMERHEAD SHARK RESEARCH with the aim to gather basic knowledge from the species and help in the management of their local populations. The study has focused on tagging campaigns in the islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura y Lanzarote in locations where professional and recreational fishermen reported the presence of hammerheads over several days. This made it possible to confirm the presence of juveniles in these areas, and collect biological data and tissue samples, which will be used in future genetic and trophic studies.   In addition, the project has expanded its research employing telemetry techniques, that allow the researcher to receive data from a distance. A male juvenile smooth hammerhead shark Sphyrna zygaena was equipped with a satellite device north of the Special Area of Conservation from the marine NATURA 2000-network “Sebadales de Playa del Inglés” in collaboration with Rayco García Habas and Jonathan Fernández Ramos. Dr. Filip Osaer from ElasmoCan and...

Mitochondrial genome description of Squatina squatina

8 October 2017 | News |

Genetic study: Angelshark genome Scientists from the Save Our Seas Shark Research Center, in collaboration with the ones from ElasmoCan, achieved for the first time the sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genome of an angelshark Squatina squatina. This study is a major advance and key resource for future genetic research that will allow the evaluation of the species´ evolution. The studied individual comes from the north east coast of Gran Canaria and was purchased from professional fisherman when the species was still a fisheries resource in the Canary Islands. This sample is part of the tissue sample collection which ElasmoCan has been gathering since 10 years to start a genetic monitoring of these sharks in this region.   Important consequences In spite of a growing concern over the conservation of angelsharks in the Canary Islands and Europe, this research is the first genetic assessment to help in its management and survival. The genome is one of the results from pioneering work that started several years ago and is a major contribution which gives us a basis for future research. Moreover, in combination with the genome descriptions of 3 Asiatic angelsharks, it broadens the knowledge about this particular genus which is understudied and poorly understood.   Future research Next steps in the genetic exploration of the angelshark Squatina squatina include the development of molecular markers for the genetic population dynamics and diversity on the basis of the genome. Also, studies that include samples from other islands in the Archipelago and regions outside the Canaries will be advanced to form a solid base for the species genetic monitoring.     The...

Abnormality in a spiny butterfly ray

23 July 2017 | News |

Scientists from ElasmoCan documented the first case of an abnormality in the spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela. This occurrence is also the first time that an anomaly is reported in a shark or ray species in the Canary Islands and from observations in its natural environment. The researchers observed a spiny butterfly ray with incomplete head in the Port of Sardina (Galdar, Gran Canaria) during two consecutive years. This deformation was caused by the lack of fusion of the right pectoral fins to the cranium, leaving an opening in the anterior part of the disc which is normally closed.   You can see a video of the butterfly with a morphologic abnormality, interacting with an angelshark Squatina squatina; source Narváez K, Osaer F (2016) Morphological and functional abnormality in the spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela. Mar Biodivers Rec 9:95.   Continue...

Angelshark genetic conservation study

29 January 2017 | News |

The preliminary results of the first genetic study of the angelshark Squatina squatina were presented in different international conferences related to research in sharks and rays during 2016. Part of the tissue sample bank from ElasmoCan was analysed by scientists from the Save Our Seas Shark Research Center and Nova Southeastern University. The results of the mitochondrial DNA indicated a very low genetic diversity in the individuals from Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife. In future , we will carry out genetic studies that will include samples from other islands in the Archipelago and regions outside the Canary Islands. This will allow us to understand the population dynamics from the angelsharks and as such to help in their conservation.   Continue reading     With the authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Food & Environment, and with knowledge from the Canarian Government....

Angelsharks: an evolution of millions of years

29 January 2017 | News |

A recent remarkable archeologic discovery in Belgium remembers us that angelsharks have evolved during millions of years of evolution, adapting to different climate changes in their habitats. Shark fossil remains were found in clay layers that were deposited 28 to 34 millions of years ago. A group of scientists from Belgium and Holland identified these as parts of a braincase and vertebras from an angelshark species. Actually, the researchers are analysing the braincase to confirm to which ancestor of the actual angelsharks it belongs. This study can also help to understand of how these sharks have evolved. The complete study is available in Contributions to Zoology: Mollen FH, Barry WM, van Bakel BWM, Jagt JWM (2016) A partial braincase and other skeletal remains of Oligocene angel sharks (Chondrichthyes, Squatiniformes) from northwest Belgium, with comments on squatinoid taxonomy....

HAMMERHEAD SHARK RESEARCH

6 October 2016 | News |

HAMMERHEAD SHARK RESEARCH is a project that studies the unknown species of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna spp.) in the Canary Islands. This research is the first initiative in the Canary Islands to collect scientific information of these particular shark species to help in their conservation. The project logo, elaborated by Plunk Artes Visuales, is adapted from pieces in the archaeological collection form the Museo Canario to the singular shape of a hammerhead shark. ElasmoCan will study different dynamic population aspects of the hammerheads, like their distribution, growth and migrations. This research will provide important information that enables a more effective management of these species in the Archipelago.   You can help with the conservation of hammerhead sharks in the Canary Islands by sharing your observations through this form or another contribution.   Continue reading   With the generous support from:     With the authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Food & Environment, and with knowledge from the Canarian Government....

New parasite species reported for the Canary Islands

18 July 2016 | News |

A new parasite species was reported in the Canary Islands. It concerns the marine leech Branchellion torpedinis that was found in the coastal areas of Agaete, Galdar and Aquimes while it was feeding from the blood of the angelshark Squatina squatina and the marbled electric ray Torpedo marmorata. This finding is at the same time the first observation of a parasite for this electric ray in the Canarian Archipelago. The marine leech has been observed in the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the northern Atlantic coasts. In certain occasions, it is known to cause severe damage to its hosts, including its dead. The parasite was observed for the first time in the Canary Islands by researchers from ElasmoCan while conducting monitoring of shark and ray species. These researches are important to know the activities developed by these elasmobranchs in the Archipelago for their survival. At the same time, they allow us to detect threats for these species, and altogether provide a tool to guarantee their conservation. The complete report, which was made possible thanks to the support of Shark Foundation and Loro Parque Fundación, is available in Springer via DOI 10.1007/s12526-016-0535-9 “The marine leech Branchellion torpedinis parasitic on the angelshark Squatina squatina and the marbled electric ray Torpedo marmorata”.   Continue reading     With the authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Food & Environment, and with knowledge from the Canarian Government....

David’s Angel Shark (Squatina david): A new species for the Caribbean Sea

18 July 2016 | News |

A new angelshark species was described for the Caribbean region of Colombia. David’s Angel Shark (Squatina david) is a sister species from two angelsharks along the Brazilian Coast: the angular angelshark (Squatina guggenheim) and the hidden angelshark (Squatina occulta). Its origin is estimated between 10.7 to 2.7 million years, at the end of the Miocene and the beginning of the Pliocene when the Isthmus of Panama was formed. The different angelshark species worldwide are very similar in appearance and therefore difficult to identify. As per the latest revision* 20 species have been recognized. Squatina david would bring this total to 21. The complete report is available via DOI 10.1643/CI-15-292 “A New Southern Caribbean Species of Angel Shark (Chondrichthyes, Squaliformes, Squatinidae), Including Phylogeny and Tempo of Diversification of American Species”.     (*) Weigmann S (2016) Annotated checklist of the living sharks, batoids and chimaeras (Chondrichthyes) of the world, with a focus on biogeographical diversity. J Fish Biol 88: 837-1037. doi:...

ANGELSHARK-ID: foto-identification of angelsharks

26 May 2016 | News |

ANGELSHARK-ID is a project that monitors the angelshark populations by employing their natural body marks. This technique guarantees a minimal impact to the individuals in return of a great effort from the researcher. This research, which is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Loro Parque Fundación, studies the angelshark (Squatina squatina) in the Canary Islands to help with its conservation. This project responds to the need for a systematic monitoring of the population tendencies due to the concern over and the lack of knowledge of the conservation status from the species. The project logo, elaborated by Plunk Artes Visuales, indicates the specific sharks’ characteristics that can be photographed and employed for individual identification. These are represented by a combination of shapes and decorations from different collection pieces from the Museo Canario. ElasmoCan studies different angelshark aspects, such as genetics, reproduction, predators and citizen science in between others. These investigations, together with ANGELSHARK-ID, are important for the knowledge of their life history and allow to take effective management and conservation decisions for the species in its entire distribution.   Continue to read   With the generous support...