Applied, Theoretical, and Technological Advances in Elasmobranch Ecology

Dear Colleagues,

Our understanding of elasmobranch ecology is changing rapidly with increased scientific attention and the incorporation of emerging techniques and technologies. Historically simplistic and static views of elasmobranchs (e.g., sharks as apex predators, skates as confined to soft bottom habitats) have been replaced by a greater understanding of the complexity and variability of their ecological interactions. As scientists move from general (e.g., biological observations) or descriptive studies (e.g., stomach content inventories, tracking studies) to integrated and applied ecological research, we are exposing misconceptions and moving towards elucidating the true ecological roles of elasmobranchs in marine communities and ecosystems.

This Special Issue seeks to advance our knowledge of resource use and niche space in elasmobranch fishes by compiling cutting-edge research from around the world. A primary goal is to transcend descriptive studies to present the findings of applied, multi-disciplinary, and hypothesis-driven work. General topics of interest include 1) physiological ecology, 2) spatial ecology, 3) trophic ecology, and 4) integrated studies.

We encourage manuscript submissions from a variety of areas of ecological research. Manuscript submissions that identify sources of individual variation and population dynamics within species across time and space and compare aspects of trophic, spatial, and physiological ecology among species are welcome. We also encourage the submission of research that combines elements of the niche (food, space) to investigate aspects of ecological (and evolutionary) theory or to address environmental or fisheries concerns. Studies that focus on field-derived empirical data are preferred, but meta-analyses and experimental studies are also welcome. Laboratory aspects of some studies (e.g., physiological ecology, sensory ecology, biomechanics) are acceptable but should optimally be combined with a field component. Integrated research may directly incorporate different aspects of the niche or can combine some aspect of the niche with another discipline (e.g., physiology, genetics, evolution, animal behavior, functional morphology) to investigate ecological theory (e.g., optimal foraging, competitive exclusion, direct vs. indirect ecological effects), to apply results to current applied issues in marine science (e.g., marine-protected areas, bycatch mitigation, ecosystem-based fisheries management), or to test hypotheses that relate to the impacts that elasmobranchs have on community or ecosystem structure and function.

Dr. Joseph J. Bizzarro
Dr. Aaron B. Carlisle
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.