New study suggests shark declines can lead to changes in reef fish body shapes

(University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine& Atmospheric Science) Scientists studying nearly identical coral reef systems off Australia discovered something unusual on the reefs subjected to nearly exclusive fishing of sharks--fish with significantly smaller eyes and tails. The study is the first field evidence of body shape changes in fish due to human-driven shark declines from overfishing. These findings shed new light on the cascading effects the loss of the ocean's top predators is having on marine ecosystems.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news