The extinction of threatened marine megafauna species could result in larger than expected losses in functional diversity, according to research led by Swansea University.
In a paper published in Science Advances, an international team of researchers has examined traits of marine megafauna species to better understand the potential ecological consequences of their extinction under different future scenarios.
Defined as the largest animals in the oceans, with a body mass that exceeds 45kg, examples include sharks, whales, seals and sea turtles.
These species serve key roles in ecosystems, including the consumption of large amounts of biomass, transporting nutrients across habitats, connecting ocean ecosystems, and physically modifying habitats.
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Posted On: 20/04/2020