The behavior and sensory biology of elasmobranch fishes: an anthology in memory of Donald Richard Nelson (Developments in Environmental Biology of Fishes, 20)

The elasmobranch fishes include the living sharks, skates and rays that are important members of nearly all marine ecosystems. Their large size, secretive behavior, and wide-ranging habits make them difficult to observe in the field or to maintain in captivity. Consequently, little is known about their natural behavior and how it is mediated by their sensory systems. This volume is dedicated to the scientific contributions and memory of Donald Nelson, a pioneer in the study of shark behavior, sensory biology, and remote instrumentation. The two opening papers review Don Nelson's unique scientific accomplishments and provide insight into his strong bias towards study of animals in the field. These are followed by 14 scientific papers on elasmobranch behavior, sensory biology, and current monitoring technologies. The papers on elasmobranch sensory biology and behavior address questions on hearing, the lateral line, electroreception, the brain, orientation behavior, chemical irritants, feeding, and reproduction. The latter section of the volume presents papers on conventional tagging techniques, ultrasonic telemetry, physiological telemetry, remote monitoring techniques, archival tagging and satellite tagging. The intent of this volume is to familiarize both new and established scientists with the sensory biology and behavior of sharks and rays, and to encourage further behavioral research on these animals in their natural environment. Front Matter....Pages 1-6 Prelude to the anthology in memory of Donald Richard Nelson....Pages 7-12 Front Matter....Pages 13-14 Shark meets man: the research and academic life of Donald Richard Nelson (1937–1997)....Pages 15-18 Donald Richard Nelson: the most unforgettable character I ever met....Pages 19-28 Front Matter....Pages 29-30 The acoustical biology of elasmobranchs....Pages 31-46 Morphology of the mechanosensory lateral line system in elasmobranch fishes: ecological and behavioral considerations....Pages 47-75 The neuroecology of the elasmobranch electrosensory world: why peripheral morphology shapes behavior....Pages 77-92 Comparative neurobiology of the elasmobranch cerebellum: theme and variations on a sensorimotor interface....Pages 93-108 Orientation and navigation in elasmobranchs: which way forward?....Pages 109-116 Surfactants as chemical shark repellents: past, present, and future....Pages 117-130 Advances in the study of feeding behaviors, mechanisms, and mechanics of sharks....Pages 131-156 A review of elasmobranch reproductive behavior with a case study on the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum ....Pages 157-188 Front Matter....Pages 189-190 Shark tagging: a review of conventional methods and studies....Pages 191-224 Review of elasmobranch behavioral studies using ultrasonic telemetry with special reference to the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris , around Bimini Islands, Bahamas....Pages 225-250 Thermal and bioenergetics of elasmobranchs: bridging the gap....Pages 251-266 Ultrasonic telemetry, tracking and automated monitoring technology for sharks....Pages 267-282 Archival tagging of school shark, Galeorhinus galeus , in Australia: initial results....Pages 283-298 Telemetry and satellite tracking of whale sharks, Rhincodon typus , in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, and the north Pacific Ocean....Pages 299-308 Back Matter....Pages 309-320