MEPS 495:291-298 (2014) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10597
REVIEW
Sizing up the ecological role of sharks as predators
Michelle R. Heupel1,2,*, Danielle M. Knip3, Colin A. Simpfendorfer2, Nicholas K. Dulvy4
ABSTRACT: The decline of predators in a variety of ecosystems has transformed community structure through mesopredator release and trophic cascades. Elasmobranch fishes, one of the earth’s most ubiquitous and diverse clade of predatory species, provide a model group for defining marine predator roles. We consider whether the ecological predatory role of sharks is adequately defined by terrestrial-derived notions of apex- and mesopredation. Indeterminate growth and ontogenetic diet shifts may mean species-level classification of predatory roles is inadequate. We propose that examining the trophic level and body size of species might be the most pragmatic and informative way to define the ecological roles of predators.
KEY WORDS: Top-down control · Predator-prey interactions · Predation risk · Home range · Ecology of fear
Full text in pdf format  | Cite this article as: Heupel MR, Knip DM, Simpfendorfer CA, Dulvy NK
(2014) Sizing up the ecological role of sharks as predators. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 495:291-298. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10597
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