New shark findings out of #UCSB: Long before intensive human fishing, Panama’s Pacific reefs supported roughly 20 times more sharks than its Caribbean reefs, an important consideration for future conservation efforts 🦈 Led by UCSB alum Erin Dillon and co-authored by her former advisor benioffoceansciencelab's Douglas McCauley, this study of fossil scales suggests shark recovery goals must consider how differences in ocean productivity–and not just fishing alone–have shaped shark populations for thousands of years. Full story at the link in bio 🔬 #UCSantaBarbara #Research #BenioffOceanScienceLaboratory Image descriptions: 1. Variation in dermal denticle morphology. Denticles were imaged using a scanning electron microscope and false coloring applied. 2. Collecting a reef matrix core in the Gulf of Panama; collecting a bulk sample from a modern Caribbean coral reef. 3. Shark dermal denticles under a microscope; Sediment sample ready to be searched for shark dermal denticles.