Encyclopedia entry
Extinction Risk and the Small Population Paradigm in the Micro-Endemic Radiation of Epaulette Sharks
Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation, Vol.2, pp.752-762
Elsevier Inc
2021
Abstract
The Epaulette sharks (or walking sharks) in the genus Hemiscyllium comprise nine species, of which two are classified as Near Threatened and five as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Here, we summarize the current taxonomy, biology, IUCN Red List status, threats, and conservation status of the Epaulette sharks. We find that the Epaulette sharks are facing direct threats from local, small-scale fisheries and indirect threats of habitat loss and degradation from climate change, coastal development, and industrial effluents. Many species benefit from protection in the extensive Marine Protected Areas in the Raja Ampat region. But in order to effectively conserve this unique radiation of sharks, priority must be placed on protecting the shallow near-shore habitats where they live and carefully managing the small-scale fisheries that have the potential to cause local extinction due to low population numbers and extremely restricted geographic ranges.
Details
- Title
- Extinction Risk and the Small Population Paradigm in the Micro-Endemic Radiation of Epaulette Sharks
- Authors
- Wade J VanderWright (Author) - Simon Fraser UniversityChristine L Dudgeon (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringMark V Erdmann (Author) - University of AucklandAbraham Sianipar (Author) - Murdoch UniversityNicholas K Dulvy (Author) - Simon Fraser University
- Contributors
- Dominick A DellaSala (Editor)Michael I Goldstein (Editor)
- Additional notes
- Volume 2: Imperiled Ecosystems
- Publication details
- Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation, Vol.2, pp.752-762
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/B978-0-12-821139-7.00130-6
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99584805002621
- Output Type
- Encyclopedia entry
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