The true state of ocean biodiversity is difficult to assess, and there are few global indicators
to track the primary threat of overfishing. We calculated a 50-year Red List Index of extinction …

While sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is abundant in nature, there is huge variation in both
the intensity and direction of SSD. SSD results from a combination of sexual selection for …

Toothed whales (odontocetes) emit high-frequency underwater sounds (echolocate)—an
extreme and unique innovation allowing them to sense their prey and environment. Their …

Elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are a charismatic lineage of unquestionable ecological
importance in past and present marine ecosystems. Represented by over 1200 species …

The neurocranium (braincase) is one of the defining vertebrate characters. Housing the
brain and other key sensory organs, articulating with the jaws and contributing to the shape …

Taxonomic diversity of marine animals decreased markedly during the end-Guadalupian
and end-Permian mass extinctions, but conodonts were largely unaffected by these two …

Identifying the species of shark responsible for a bite on humans is both complex and
important for understanding and managing the shark risk. Depending on the species, tiny …

Ecology is a key driver of morphological evolution during adaptive radiations, but alternative
factors like phylogeny and allometry can have a strong influence on morphology …

Sharks are notorious for their exceptional dental diversity, which is frequently used as a
proxy for ecological function. However, functional inferences from morphology need to …