Updated Checklist of Chondrichthyan Species in Croatia (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

Almost half of all chondrichthyan species in the Mediterranean Sea are threatened with extinction, according to the IUCN Red List. Due to a substantial lack of access to data on chondrichthyan catches in the Mediterranean Sea, especially of threatened species, the implementation of conservation measures is extremely insufficient. This also concerns the Adriatic Sea. Here we present a detailed and up-to-date assessment of the species occurring in Croatian waters, as the last checklist of chondrichthyans in Croatian waters was conducted in 2009. Occurrence records from historical data, literature and citizen science information have been compiled in order to present a comprehensive list of species occurrences. We found 54 chondrichthyan species between 1822 and 2022, consisting of a single chimaera, 23 rays and skates, and 30 shark species. Here, four additional species are listed but are considered doubtful. Five species are reported here for the first time for Croatian waters that were not listed in the survey from 2009. Nearly one-third of the species reported here are critically endangered in the entire Mediterranean Sea, based on the IUCN Red List. Additionally, we revisited the Croatian records of the sandtiger shark Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 and discussed its potential confusion with the smalltooth sandtiger shark Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810). Our results thus provide novel insights into the historical and current distribution patterns of chondrichthyan fishes in the Croatian Sea and provide a basis for further research as well as conservation measures.

Comment on Balàka et al. Updated Checklist of Chondrichthyan Species in Croatia (Central Mediterranean Sea). Biology 2023, 12, 952

“…The authors write that the last checklist for Croatia was carried out in 2009 and that 52 chondrichthyan species were reported in Croatian waters [ 1 ] based on a report from Serena et al [ 2 ]. However, that is inaccurate as considering the area of Croatian waters within the Adriatic and the length of its coast, all the checklists made so far, including general fish lists, by the Croatian and regional authors, always referred to the whole Adriatic Sea, not to the portion of Croatian waters.…”

Reply to Soldo, A.; Lipej, L. Comment on “Balàka et al. Updated Checklist of Chondrichthyan Species in Croatia (Central Mediterranean Sea). Biology 2023, 12, 952”

“…Balàka et al [ 1 ] compiled a taxonomic list for chondrichthyan fishes in Croatian waters and discussed the spatial and temporal dynamics for each species, as well as their taxonomic validity. Soldo and Lipej [ 2 ] questioned the relevance of a national checklist for Croatia [ 1 ], as two species checklists covering the Adriatic Sea have already been published [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Balàka et al [ 1 ] compiled a taxonomic list for chondrichthyan fishes in Croatian waters and discussed the spatial and temporal dynamics for each species, as well as their taxonomic validity. Soldo and Lipej [ 2 ] questioned the relevance of a national checklist for Croatia [ 1 ], as two species checklists covering the Adriatic Sea have already been published [ 3 , 4 ]. However, we want to emphasize that national checklists serve to support national biodiversity management, as the need to prepare a national report for Croatia for the Action Plan for the Conservation of Cartilaginous (Chondrichthyan) Fishes in the Mediterranean in 2009 demonstrates [ 5 ].…”

“…Secondly, the size and structure of fisheries in Croatia, as well as its fish markets and fish trade, significantly differ compared to other Adriatic countries such as Italy [ 9 ], not only currently, but also in the past [ 10 ]. Therefore, having a specific, peer-reviewed checklist for Croatia, which we provided for the first time [ 1 ], is a useful and relevant tool for policy makers to make sound decisions about sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras in Croatia based on scientific evidence [ 1 ].…”

“…The main concern of Soldo and Lipej [ 2 ] was our revision of the taxon Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 and our conclusion that previous records of this species are ambiguous and likely the result of misidentification with the closely resembling species Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810), which is also known to occur in Croatia [ 1 , 3 , 11 , 12 ].…”