In a parasitological survey of fishes from Moreton Bay (southeastern Queensland, Australia), 169 teleost fishes, representing 54 species from 28 families, were examined for larval cestodes. Of these 54 species, 36 were found to be infected by metacestodes. Metacestodes were characterised by morphological and molecular data (the D1-D3 region of the 28S rDNA gene); these data were analysed in parallel to inform larval type allocation. Metacestodes collected represented eight morphological types, seven previously reported (Types I, II, IV, V, VI, VII, and X) and one novel type (Type XVI). Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to genetically match larval types to adult cestodes. Six of the eight larval types found were matched to adult forms: Type I metacestodes matched species of Phoreiobothrium Linton, 1889 (Onchobothriidae); Type II metacestodes matched species of Acanthobothrium van Beneden, 1849 (Onchobothriidae); Type IV metacestodes matched species of Scyphophyllidium Woodland, 1927 and Alexandercestus Ruhnke Workman, 2013 (Phyllobothriidae); Type VI metacestodes matched species of Anthobothrium van Beneden, 1850 (Tetraphyllidea incertae sedis); Type X metacestodes matched species of Ambitalveolus Caira Jensen, 2022 (Tetraphyllidea incertae sedis); and Type XVI metacestodes matched species of Platybothrium Linton, 1890 (Onchobothriidae). Based on phylogenetic topology, Type V metacestodes are inferred to match Pedibothrium Linton, 1909 (Balanobothriidae) and Type VII metacestodes are inferred to match Spongiobothrium Linton, 1889 (Rhinebothriidae). These findings support and extend the unified morphological type system proposed previously, but suggest that morphological types will ultimately be informative to identify metacestodes to a group of related genera rather than any distinct genus.

Abstract Shark bites are of high public concern globally. Information on shark occurrence and behaviour, and of the effects of human behaviours, can help understand the drivers of shark‐human interactions. In Australia, a number of shark bite clusters occurred over the last decade. One of these took place in Cid Harbour the Whitsundays, Queensland, a region for which little was known about the shark community. Here, we describe and evaluate the research in response to that shark bite cluster. Fishing methods, acoustic and satellite tracking, and baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs) were used to identify the shark species using Cid Harbour, estimate relative abundance, and describe habitat use and residency. Side‐scan sonar and BRUVs were also used to assess prey availability. Recreational users were surveyed to understand human behaviour and their awareness and perceptions of ‘Shark Smart’ behaviours. This allowed shark occurrence and behaviour to be interpreted in the context of human behaviours in the Harbour. Eleven shark species were identified. Relative abundance was not unusually high, and residency in Cid Harbour was typically low. For example, 79% of acoustically tagged sharks visited the harbour on <10% days at liberty. Shark prey was available year‐round. Notably, anchored boats regularly conduct activities that can attract sharks (dumping food scraps, provisioning and cleaning fish). Alone, the methods used in this study had variable success, but combined they provided a large amount of complementary information. Including a social science component in the research response to the shark bite incidents allowed for a more holistic understanding of the Cid Harbour bite incidents. This study did not identify anything unusual about the shark community that could have contributed to the Cid Harbour shark bite cluster. However, the three incidents involved people bitten almost instantly after entering the water, which is unusual and suggests that feeding/attracting sharks to boats could have been a contributor and also that any species capable of biting humans could have been responsible. The eradication of activities that attract sharks to areas where people enter the water may reduce shark bite risk. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Introduction Palliative care improves the quality of life, well-being and symptom control in patients with advanced disease. Globally only 14% of those in need are thought to receive palliative care. The most common symptom resulting in admission to a palliative care provider is uncontrolled pain. Regular use of symptom assessment measures such as the integrated palliative care outcome scale (IPOS) improves the identification and management of pain. Despite the benefits, the proportion of IPOS completion is around half of what it should be, and these rates are much lower in ethnic minority patients. This study compares the pain scores of patients according to their diagnosis, age, sex and ethnicity. Methods This study was an audit of pre-collected retrospective data from St Gemma's hospice. The IPOS pain scores of 576 inpatients between 2019–20 were included. Exclusion criteria were patients with less than two recorded IPOS scores. Results There was a significant increase from initial to final pain in the total sample, non-cancer conditions, females and younger patients. As well as a non-significant greater increase in the pain of ethnic minority patients. Lung cancer patients experienced a non-significant reduction in pain. Conclusions High-quality UK based studies are required to expand on the current research demonstrating ethnic inequalities in pain assessment, management and care provision. The gender imbalance may be due to females more openly disclosing their needs, evidence also indicates that female pain is under-documented and overlooked by physicians. The lower pain levels reported by older patients has been attributed to their acceptance of pain as part of the end of life and willingness to reduce their activity levels as a result. The provision of care for chronic, terminal non-cancer diseases can be improved through early and sustained palliative intervention, that is offered without bias, based on clinical need.

This study investigated the measurements of energy density and bioenergetic modelling for a pelagic ray, Mobula eregoodoo, to estimate its relative allocation to various bodily processes and especially reproduction. The data revealed M. eregoodoo uses up to 21.0% and 2.5% of its annual energy budget on growth and reproduction, respectively. During pregnancy, females depleted energy reserves in the liver, which, along with their biennial reproductive cycle, aligns with general theory that ectotherms are capital breeders and thus build energy reserves before reproduction. Nonetheless, the reduction in energy reserves did not account for all reproductive costs, and therefore, gravid females supplement reproductive costs through energy derived from the diet, according to an income-breeding strategy. These characteristics imply that M. eregoodoo exhibits some flexibility in fuelling reproduction depending on energy availability throughout the reproductive cycle, which may be prevalent in other elasmobranchs. The data represent the first estimates of both the metabolic costs of gestation in elasmobranchs and the relative cost of reproduction in rays. Energy costs and plasticity associated with highly variable reproductive strategies in elasmobranchs may influence long-term population viability under a rapidly changing environment.

Knowledge of the three-dimensional movement patterns of elasmobranchs is vital to understand their ecological roles and exposure to anthropogenic pressures. To date, comparative studies among species at global scales have mostly focused on horizontal movements. Our study addresses the knowledge gap of vertical movements by compiling the first global synthesis of vertical habitat use by elasmobranchs from data obtained by deployment of 989 biotelemetry tags on 38 elasmobranch species. Elasmobranchs displayed high intra- and interspecific variability in vertical movement patterns. Substantial vertical overlap was observed for many epipelagic elasmobranchs, indicating an increased likelihood to display spatial overlap, biologically interact, and share similar risk to anthropogenic threats that vary on a vertical gradient. We highlight the critical next steps toward incorporating vertical movement into global management and monitoring strategies for elasmobranchs, emphasizing the need to address geographic and taxonomic biases in deployments and to concurrently consider both horizontal and vertical movements.

Over the last century, many shark populations have declined, primarily due to overexploitation in commercial, artisanal and recreational fisheries. In addition, in some locations the use of shark control programs also has had an impact on shark numbers. Still, there is a general perception that populations of large ocean predators cover wide areas and therefore their diversity is less susceptible to local anthropogenic disturbance. Here we report on temporal genomic analyses of tiger shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier ) DNA samples that were collected from eastern Australia over the past century. Using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) loci, we documented a significant change in genetic composition of tiger sharks born between ~1939 and 2015. The change was most likely due to a shift over time in the relative contribution of two well-differentiated, but hitherto cryptic populations. Our data strongly indicate a dramatic shift in the relative contribution of these two populations to the overall tiger shark abundance on the east coast of Australia, possibly associated with differences in direct or indirect exploitation rates.

New species of Hemionchos (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) are reported from the spiral valve of the manta ray Mobula alfredi (Krefft) from the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, representing the first record of this genus from Australian waters. Four undescribed species were identified from the spiral valve contents of a single ray. A relatively complete description is presented for H. australis sp. nov. The remaining three new species are described but as the descriptions are incomplete, they have not been named. This study suggests a much higher degree of diversity within the genus Hemionchos than hitherto suspected and that the examination of additional species of manta and devil rays will yield more new species. The genus is redefined based on the addition of new species and a key to the species is provided.

The brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum, is the most common shark caught in coastal commercial fisheries throughout Southeast Asia, yet there is a lack of the life-history information necessary for reliable stock assessments. The authors estimated growth rates and age at maturity using analysis of growth bands in vertebral centra. They trialled four different techniques to enhance the visibility and improve identification of the putative annual growth bands necessary for age estimation. The authors found that the burn method on whole vertebral centra provided the most readable and consistent results for age analysis. The logistic model was chosen as the best-fit growth model for age estimation of 330 individual C. punctatum from Indonesia. Several age verification methods, including marginal increment ratio and length-frequency analysis, were performed with the support of age validation through the use of calcein-labelled vertebrae from two sharks maintained in captivity. This study found that C. punctatum from Indonesian waters is a fast-growing species that can grow up to 18 cm year(-1), reach an estimated maximum total length of 1 m, mature at c. 6.5 years and live for up to 14 years.

Abstract Mutualism is a form of symbiosis whereby both parties benefit from the relationship. An example is cleaning symbiosis, which has been observed in terrestrial and marine environments. The most recognized form of marine cleaning symbiosis is that of cleaner fishes and their clients. Cleaner species set up cleaning stations on the reef, and other species seek out their services. However, it is not well understood how the presence of cleaning stations influence movements of large highly mobile species. We examined the role of cleaning stations as a driver of movement and habitat use in a mobile client species. Here, we used a combination of passive acoustic telemetry and in‐water surveys to investigate cleaning station attendance by the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi. We employed a novel approach in the form of a fine‐scale acoustic receiver array set up around a known cleaning area and tagged 42 rays. Within the array, we mapped structural features, surveyed the distribution of cleaner wrasse, and observed the habitat use of the rays. We found manta ray space use was significantly associated with blue‐streak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus distribution and hard coral substrate. Cleaning interactions dominated their habitat use at this site, taking precedence over other life history traits such as feeding and courtship. This study has demonstrated that cleaning symbiosis is a driver for highly mobile, and otherwise pelagic, species to visit inshore reef environments. We suggest that targeted and long‐term use of specific cleaning stations reflects manta rays having a long‐term memory and cognitive map of some shallow reef environments where quality cleaning is provided. We hypothesize that animals prefer cleaning sites in proximity to productive foraging regions.

Kangaroos and other macropodoids stand out among mammals for their unusual hopping locomotion and body shape. This review examines the scaling of hind- and forelimb bones, and the primary ankle extensor muscles and tendons. We find that the scaling of the musculoskeletal system is sensitive to the phylogenetic context. Tibia length increases with positive allometry among most macropodoids, but negative allometry in eastern grey kangaroos and isometry in red kangaroos. Femur length decreases with stronger negative allometry in eastern grey and red kangaroos than among other macropodoids. Muscle masses scale with negative allometry in western grey kangaroos and with isometry in red kangaroos, compared to positive allometry in other macropodoids. We further summarise the work on the hopping gait, energetics in macropodoids, and stresses in the musculoskeletal system in an evolutionary context, to determine what trade-offs may limit locomotor performance in macropodoids. When large kangaroos hop, they do not increase oxygen consumption with speed, unlike most mammals, including small hopping species. We conclude that there is not enough information to isolate the biomechanical factors that make large kangaroos so energy efficient. We identify key areas for further research to fill these gaps.

This study provides the first standardized global microsatellite database for a shark species, the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier). Genotyping of reference individuals was used to develop and apply a calibration key for data from eight microsatellite loci data produced by three different laboratories, thereby allowing merging of genotypes into a single dataset. The unified data helped to elucidate the global population structure of the species and provided improved statistical power, through allowing a higher number of samples per location compared to the original studies from which the samples were obtained. Pairwise F-ST estimates and PCA plots showed significant genetic differentiation between Atlantic and Indo-Pacific samples, confirming previous findings by identifying the presence of a strong genetic break between tiger sharks inhabiting the two ocean basins. In turn, the standardized database (n = 799) also allowed archived historical samples to be genotyped and assigned back to their population (ocean basin) of origin. We demonstrate how calibration tests in population structure studies using microsatellite data is important as it simply provides more data to single studies. Importance factors for successful assignment analysis is discussed, as well as how the possibility of assigning historical samples of unknown origin back to the population, increases sample value. Our results demonstrate that global calibration of microsatellite and other genetic datasets can improve the statistical power and resolution of population structure analysis; an approach applicable not only when working with highly mobile globally distributed species such as the tiger shark, but with any species for which multiple genetic datasets exist.

Manta rays forage for zooplankton in tropical and subtropical marine environments, which are generally nutrient-poor. Feeding often occurs at predictable locations where these large, mobile cartilaginous fishes congregate to exploit ephemeral productivity hotspots. Investigating the zooplankton dynamics that lead to such feeding aggregations remains a key question for understanding their movement ecology. The aim of this study is to investigate the feeding environment at the largest known aggregation for reef manta rays Mobula alfredi in the world. We sampled zooplankton throughout the tidal cycle, and recorded M. alfredi activity and behaviour, alongside environmental variables at Hanifaru Bay, Maldives. We constructed generalised linear models to investigate possible relationships between zooplankton dynamics, environmental parameters, and how they influenced M. alfredi abundance, behaviour, and foraging strategies. Zooplankton biomass changed rapidly throughout the tidal cycle, and M. alfredi feeding events were significantly related to high zooplankton biomass. Mobula alfredi switched from non-feeding to feeding behaviour at a prey density threshold of 53.7 mg dry mass m−3; more than double the calculated density estimates needed to theoretically meet their metabolic requirements. The highest numbers of M. alfredi observed in Hanifaru Bay corresponded to when they were engaged in feeding behaviour. The community composition of zooplankton was different when M. alfredi was feeding (dominated by copepods and crustaceans) compared to when present but not feeding (more gelatinous species present than in feeding samples). The dominant zooplankton species recorded was Undinula vulgaris. This is a large-bodied calanoid copepod species that blooms in oceanic waters, suggesting offshore influences at the site. Here, we have characterised aspects of the feeding environment for M. alfredi in Hanifaru Bay and identified some of the conditions that may result in large aggregations of this threatened planktivore, and this information can help inform management of this economically important marine protected area.

The brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum is one of the most common shark species caught in coastal fisheries throughout the Indo-Malay region and the most abundant shark caught in trawl fisheries in Malaysia and Thailand. Differences in fisheries regulations related to trawling among jurisdictions, and an absence of either stock assessments or population estimates in the region, raise questions about the sustainability of fisheries that take this species. As a small-bodied, benthic shark that predominantly inhabits shallow, soft substrate habitats, the population may be particularly vulnerable to trawling throughout the region. We investigated the population structure of Chiloscyllium punctatum using genome-wide nuclear markers. Comprehensive DNA sampling was undertaken in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, and population structure analysis using SNP datasets revealed at least four genetically distinct regional groups of C. punctatum. We identified a potentially shared stock between Malaysia and Indonesia, and separate populations in the Andaman Sea off Thailand, the South China Sea, and a localized population in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Each of these stocks may likely require different management approaches tailored to the scale and types of fishing pressure in the different regions.

Over the last century, many populations of sharks have been reduced in numbers by overexploitation or attempts to mitigate human-shark interactions. Still, there is a general perception that populations of large ocean predators cover wide areas and therefore their diversity is less susceptible to local anthropogenic disturbance. Here we report retrospective genomic analyses of DNA using archived and contemporary samples of tiger shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier ) from eastern Australia. Using SNP loci, we documented a significant overall change in genetic composition of tiger sharks born over the last century. The change was most likely due to a shift over time in the relative contribution of two well differentiated, but hitherto cryptic populations. Our data strongly indicate a dramatic shift in relative contribution of the two populations to the overall tiger shark abundance of the east coast of Australia, possibly associated with differences in direct or indirect exploitation rates.

Background Delimiting cryptic species in elasmobranchs is a major challenge in modern taxonomy due the lack of available phenotypic features. Employing stand-alone genetics in splitting a cryptic species may prove problematic for further studies and for implementing conservation management. In this study, we examined mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the brown-banded bambooshark, Chiloscyllium punctatum to evaluate potential cryptic species and the species-population boundary in the group. Results Both mtDNA and SNP analyses showed potential delimitation within C. punctatum from the Indo-Australian region and consisted of four operational taxonomic units (OTUs), i.e. those from Indo-Malay region, the west coast of Sumatra, Lesser Sunda region, and the Australian region. Each OTU can be interpreted differently depending on available supporting information, either based on biological, ecological or geographical data. We found that SNP data provided more robust results than mtDNA data in determining the boundary between population and cryptic species. Conclusion To split a cryptic species complex and erect new species based purely on the results of genetic analyses is not recommended. The designation of new species needs supportive diagnostic morphological characters that allow for species recognition, as an inability to recognise individuals in the field creates difficulties for future research, management for conservation and fisheries purposes. Moreover, we recommend that future studies use a comprehensive sampling regime that encompasses the full range of a species complex. This approach would increase the likelihood of identification of operational taxonomic units rather than resulting in an incorrect designation of new species.

The brown-banded bamboo shark, Chiloscyllium punctatum, is one of the most common sharks caught in coastal fisheries across Southeast Asia; however, its small size and low economic value typically exclude it from the attention of fisheries managers. As part of an assessment of a potential role for this shark in improving the sustainability of coastal shark fisheries in Indonesia, we investigated its reproductive biology from waters around the Seribu Islands on the basis of monthly sampling from a fish landing in Tanjung Pasir, Banten. Females have fully functional uteri, but asymmetric ovaries, with only the right ovary being functional and the left ovary being atrophied. The species is reproductively active throughout the year, with the optimum period for males to copulate being from June to August, and the optimum period for egg-laying in females from July to January on the basis of their physiological condition. Females mature at a larger size than do males, 704- and 653-mm total length respectively. To allow a continuous recruitment flow to the population, and to facilitate compliance and monitoring, we recommend that fishers release all brown-banded bamboo sharks greater than 700mm in total length.

Reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are capable of long-distance dispersal when habitat is continuous. In the Ningaloo Reef World Heritage Area located on Australia’s mid-west coast, M. alfredi is sighted year-round and is a focal species for ecotourism in the region. Despite value to local tourism and demographic vulnerability to exploitation, basic information regarding M. alfredi movements and area use in this region is lacking. Here we used satellite tags and a long-term photographic-identification database collected by researchers and citizen scientists to examine the species’ visitation patterns and regional space use. Tagged M. alfredi remained in coastal shelf waters, preferentially occupying shallow depths < 20 m (76% of depth observations). Comparison of real tracks against those produced by correlated random walk simulations revealed directional dispersal and connectivity between the Ningaloo and Shark Bay World Heritage Areas. The greatest linear distance an individual moved after tagging was ∼700 km. This movement range is comparable to seasonal M. alfredi migration observed at similar latitudes on Australia’s east coast. Photographic-identification of 1121 individual M. alfredi, from 5146 sighting events, revealed that some individuals exhibited long-term site affinity to locations within Ningaloo Marine Park, with the longest spanning 15.16 years (9.8% individuals > 10 years). Lagged Identification Rate analysis suggested site visitation was best described by a pattern of emigration and reimmigration. While our observations of movement and residency establishes basic information previously unknown for the species in this region, the overlap of core area use with existing UNESCO World Heritage Areas demonstrates the potential for well-positioned marine parks to provide protection of critical habitat for M. alfredi.

Most mobulids are listed as near threatened to endangered. Nonetheless, effective conservation measures are hindered by knowledge gaps in their ecology and behaviour. In particular, few studies have assessed diets and trophic ecologies that could inform methods to avoid fishing mortality.Here, a shortfall in data for the longhorned pygmy devil ray,Mobula eregoodoowas addressed by describing temporal variability in dietary preferences using stable isotope analysis. During summer and autumn in 2017, five bather-protection gillnets were deployed off eastern Australia (29 degrees S, 153.5 degrees E). From the catches of these gillnets, 35 adultM. eregoodoohad liver, muscle and stomach contents sampled to determine delta C-13 and delta N-15 profiles. Analyses revealed that surface zooplankton and zooplanktivorous teleosts were important dietary components across short- and long-term temporal scales. Large quantities of undigested sandy sprat,Hyperlophus vittatus,in the stomachs of some specimens unequivocally confirm feeding on teleosts. A narrow isotopic niche and minimal isotopic overlap with reef manta rays,Mobula alfredifrom the same geographic region in eastern Australia impliesM. eregoodoohas unique and highly specialised resource use relative to other mobulids in the area. The species is clearly vulnerable to capture during inshore migrations, presumably where they feed on shallow-water shoaling teleosts. FemaleM. eregoodoolikely have a low annual reproductive output, so population recoveries from fishing-induced declines are likely to be slow. Measures to reduce the by catch ofM. eregoodooin local bather-protection gillnets, and artisanal fisheries more broadly, should be given priority.

The known distribution of manta rays in Australian waters is patchy, with records primarily centred around tourism hotspots. We collated 11,614 records of Mobula alfredi from photo-ID databases (n = 10,715), aerial surveys (n = 378) and online reports (n = 521). The study confirms an uninterrupted coastal distribution from north of 26 degrees S and 31 degrees S on the west and east coasts, respectively. More southerly M. alfredi records relate to warm-water events with a southernmost extent at 34 degrees S. Coastal sightings of Mobula birostris were rare (n = 32), likely reflecting a preference for offshore waters, but encompass a wider latitudinal extent than M. alfredi of 10-40 degrees S.

The reef manta ray, Mobula alfredi , occurs in tropical and warm temperate coastal waters, and around islands and reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Published records that relate to the distribution of M. alfredi in the south-east Indian and south-west Pacific Oceans are largely restricted to locations where there is a focus on manta ray ecotourism, with little information from elsewhere. Even less is known about the circumglobally distributed oceanic manta ray, Mobula birostris , for which there are few published sighting records. We collated n = 11,703 sighting records from Australian waters and offshore territories for M. alfredi sourced from scientific image databases ( n = 10,715), aerial surveys ( n = 375) and online reports ( n = 613). From collated records, we confirm that the species shows an uninterrupted distribution within Australian coastal waters north of 26°S on the west coast to 31°S on the east coast, with a southernmost record at 34°S. Confirmed locations for M. birostris encompass a latitudinal range of 10-40°S. Records from more southerly locations relate to warm-water events. Sightings of M. birostris were rare, but were confirmed at several geographically separate locations, probably reflecting its preference for offshore waters. The study clarifies the occurrence and range of each species within coastal waters of the south-east Indian and south-west Pacific Oceans, and highlights regions in northern Australia that are of specific interest for future research into possible movements of individuals between international marine jurisdictions.