Sharks and rays

Chin, Andrew (2005) Sharks and rays. In: Chin, Andrew, (ed.) The State of the Great Barrier Reef Online. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville, QLD, Australia, pp. 1-33.

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Abstract

[Extract] The Reef is home to approximately 122 species of sharks and rays (Elasmobranchii) and three species of chimera (Holocephalii). For simplicity, the term shark is used throughout this chapter to include sharks, rays, skates and chimeras. The sharks of the Reef are very diverse in size, appearance and lifestyle. They range from small, cryptic species with limited home ranges such as the epaulette shark, to large, highly migratory species, such as the whale shark. All sharks are predatory and feed on a wide variety of prey. Small, bottom dwelling sharks may live on crustaceans and molluscs while reef sharks and open water sharks prey upon fishes. Some species, such as whale sharks and manta rays, are specialist feeders that live on plankton.

Item ID: 29218
Item Type: Book Chapter (Reference)
ISBN: 978-1-876945-34-3
Keywords: sharks; rays; stingrays; Great Barrier Reef
Funders: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Date Deposited: 10 Sep 2013 00:28
FoR Codes: 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050209 Natural Resource Management @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9607 Environmental Policy, Legislation and Standards > 960701 Coastal and Marine Management Policy @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 25%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 25%
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