Marine Apex predators
The Apex Predators lab (APL) is focused on the biology and spatial ecology of pelagic mega-fauna in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. We employ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), acoustic telemetry, mark-release protocols, underwater observations, and cutting-edge technologies for biological analysis. Main topics of research include the abundance, habitat-use and behaviour of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays), teleosts (e.g., tuna and swordfish) and various marine mammals in the open sea and at aggregation hotspots. In addition, the APL is collaborating with other partners on the development of remote sensing algorithms providing for fishery-independent sampling of the species under study.
Our data
CPOD table
Presence/absence data of toothed whales or dolphins along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Acoustic receivers (C-pod/F) were moored in the north ( Nahariya that was later relocated to Achziv), center (Dor & Poleg), and south (Ashkelon) regions, at water depths of 20m that was later relocated to 45m, 45m & 20m, and 27m, respectively. In addition, both fish farms in Michmoret and Ashdod are been monitored as well in water depths of 36m and 80m, respectively. Presence is provided as detection positive minutes (DPM) and the total (unfiltered) number of clicks as null values. Minson indicates whether the C-pod was recording during the time of detection.
Shark tagging table
Shark tagging data collected at coastal power station in Hadera, Israel, during the period of 2016-2019. Morphometric measurements are provided as well as the biological samples obtained from every specimen. Serial numbers and IDs are provided for deployed acoustic tags, satellite archival tags, floy tags and PIT tags. Further information on the fishing effort as well as reference to other tables is available for each individual shark.
Hematology table
Serum biochemistry, blood hormone levels, hematocrit values and differential counts of sharks sampled at the coastal power station in Hadera, Israel, during the tagging seasons of 2016-2019. For each sampled specimen, general information including test date, species, visual tag number and test number is provided.
Guitarfish survey
Mark-recapture data of neonate guitarfish along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. Length measurements included total length (TL), disk length (DL) and disk width (DW). In addition, a photo of each individual was taken both dorsally and ventrally for documentation purposes. Selected individuals were tagged with Biomark MiniHPT8 passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, inserted to the dorsal surface. A fin-clip was obtained for genetic analysis as well as for identifying recaptured individuals. Serum was drawn for biochemical analysis.
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Reference:
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Data from the Morris Kahn marine Research Station: https://med-lter.haifa.ac.il/