TY - JOUR
T1 - Marine extinctions revisited
AU - Monte-Luna, Pablo Del
AU - Lluch-Belda, Daniel
AU - Serviere-Zaragoza, Elisa
AU - Carmona, Roberto
AU - Reyes-Bonilla, Héctor
AU - Aurioles-Gamboa, David
AU - Castro-Aguirre, José Luis
AU - Próo, Sergio A.Guzmán Del
AU - Trujillo-Millán, Oscar
AU - Brook, Barry W.
PY - 2007/6
Y1 - 2007/6
N2 - In recent years, more than 130 extinctions have been estimated to have occurred in the marine realm. Here we review this body of evidence and show that this figure may actually be overestimated by as much as 50%. We argue that previous estimates have not fully taken into account critical uncertainties such as naturally variable geographical distributions, and have misinterpreted documentary evidence. However, current evidence indicates that some sharks, rays and reef-associated species, although not necessarily geographically restricted, are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and now occur in very low numbers. Overestimating extinctions is of concern because it could reduce confidence in the credibility of the 'extinct' category in threatened species lists and, ultimately, be used to question the integrity of conservation and management policies. We suggest that when integrating future checklists of marine extinct species, there needs to be a more rigorous use of the terminology of extinction, and participation by specialists in each of the particular taxonomic groups involved.
AB - In recent years, more than 130 extinctions have been estimated to have occurred in the marine realm. Here we review this body of evidence and show that this figure may actually be overestimated by as much as 50%. We argue that previous estimates have not fully taken into account critical uncertainties such as naturally variable geographical distributions, and have misinterpreted documentary evidence. However, current evidence indicates that some sharks, rays and reef-associated species, although not necessarily geographically restricted, are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and now occur in very low numbers. Overestimating extinctions is of concern because it could reduce confidence in the credibility of the 'extinct' category in threatened species lists and, ultimately, be used to question the integrity of conservation and management policies. We suggest that when integrating future checklists of marine extinct species, there needs to be a more rigorous use of the terminology of extinction, and participation by specialists in each of the particular taxonomic groups involved.
KW - Biodiversity loss
KW - Extirpation
KW - Global change
KW - Habitat loss
KW - Overexploitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34250363615&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-2679.2007.00240.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-2679.2007.00240.x
M3 - Artículo de revisión
SN - 1467-2960
VL - 8
SP - 107
EP - 122
JO - Fish and Fisheries
JF - Fish and Fisheries
IS - 2
ER -