Patricia Charvet

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Collaborator researcher and professor at Federal University of Ceará

Curitiba 30/04/2025 Carta aberta em repúdio ao Instituto Água e Terra (IAT) em resposta à Portaria nº 223, de 28 de abril de 2025.

International wildlife trade is a major source of biodiversity loss, yet many species lie hidden within aggregated data that conceals trade impacts. We overcome this problem for the largest vertebrate wildlife trade globally - shark and ray meat - comprising 438 538 mt yr-1 across more than 150 species, 76% of which are Threatened. Revealed trade c...

Sharks are among the most threatened vertebrate groups, facing pressures from overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution, with the latter posing risks not only to marine ecosystems but also to human health due to the global consumption of shark meat. This study assessed the concentrations of essential, potentially toxic, and toxic metals in the muscl...

Sawfishes (Pristidae) have been severely impacted by coastal development and unregulated fisheries and are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses have shown potential for monitoring elasmobranch species, with various studies focusing on using species-specific approaches to detect Pristis species. Ho...

Marine littering is a global challenge and a significant threat to a sustainable planet, requiring comprehensive and effective mechanisms to address it in a comprehensive manner. This study reports on a bibliometric analysis that has identified the extent to which the topic has been explored in the international literature, by focusing on geographi...

The megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, is a rare circumtropical species with a distinctive appearance. To date, only 273 confirmed occurrence records have been documented globally. This study reports the third occurrence of a megamouth shark on the Brazilian coast and provides descriptions of the dermal denticles of all three specimens recorded...

Skates and rays (Batoidea) play a significant ecological role, contributing to ecosystem services through bioturbation and acting as vital intermediate components of the trophic chain in various aquatic environments. Despite their wide global distribution and ecological importance, batoids receive less attention than their shark relatives, resultin...

The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is a critically endangered species, whose spatial ecology in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean remains poorly understood. This study is the first regional attempt to elucidate the habitat conditions linked to the distribution and occurrence of this migratory coastal shark, using the largest regional dataset for t...

Freshwater ecosystems are highly biodiverse¹ and important for livelihoods and economic development², but are under substantial stress³. To date, comprehensive global assessments of extinction risk have not included any speciose groups primarily living in freshwaters. Consequently, data from predominantly terrestrial tetrapods4,5 are used to guide...

Strandings have been extensively documented for large mammals, however, a comprehensive survey focusing on batoids is currently lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a review of available stranding data sourced from iNaturalist, news websites, and published papers. A total of 2.928 reports encompassing 176 batoid species were recover...

The true state of ocean biodiversity is difficult to assess, and there are few global indicators to track the primary threat of overfishing. We calculated a 50-year Red List Index of extinction risk and ecological function for 1199 sharks and rays and found that since 1970, overfishing has halved their populations and their Red List Index has worse...

French Guiana fisheries

The commercial importance of cephalopods has increased considerably, being an important fishing resource. However, during the preparation for commercialization of those species, they suffer the process known as “finning” which includes removing and separating the head, arm, skin or even having the body structure cut into rings, which ends up making...

Freshwater or euryhaline sharks and rays are usually a forgotten component of shark, ray, and chimera biodiversity, mainly because the vast majority of these species are associated with marine ecosystems. Freshwater rays are cartilaginous fish species that have adapted and developed the ability to live and complete their entire life cycles in fresh...

Summary of threats to Chondrichthyans (Sharks, Rays & Chimaeras), including underlying drivers, key threats of overfishing, habitat loss & degradation, climate change; threats to freshwater & euryhaline species; emerging threats and an extensive box on Bycatch and Bycatch mitigation

The Shortnose Guitarfish, Zapteryx brevirostris, is endemic to the Southwest Atlantic and its geographic range is commonly reported from Southeastern Brazil to Northern Argentina. However, range limits are imprecise or inconsistent in some cases. These inconsistencies were addressed in this study based on 1,363 specimens collected since 1865. These...

Sharing fishing activity via social media attracts millions of views. The data from these shares includes key information for a fisheries database such as the species present in the catches and in many cases the number of specimens caught. Many countries in the Global South do not have official information about basic data on fishing activity, espe...

Despite their worldwide distribution, the occurrence of Lamnidae species in tropical zones remain poorly understood. In the Equatorial Southwestern Atlantic, the Shortfin Mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, has been captured in commercial fisheries, whereas the White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, is only rarely recorded. This study aimed to characterize lamn...

NOTA TÉCNICA: Eventos recorrentes de peixamentos (solturas de peixes) com o uso de espécies não nativas são praticados no Brasil com o suposto objetivo de “recuperação de estoques naturais” ou “respeito/proteção ao meio ambiente”. Entretanto, na maioria das vezes essas ações ignoram preceitos legais (o uso de espécies não nativas é crime ambiental)...

NOTA TÉCNICA: Eventos recorrentes de peixamentos (solturas de peixes) com o uso de espécies não nativas são praticados no Brasil com o suposto objetivo de “recuperação de estoques naturais” ou “respeito/proteção ao meio ambiente”. Entretanto, na maioria das vezes essas ações ignoram preceitos legais (o uso de espécies não nativas é crime ambiental)...

1. Mobulid rays are medium- to large-sized pelagic-dwelling planktivorous elasmobranchs that are circumglobally distributed. Brazil has a high diversity of Mobula species, with five of the nine globally valid species and one additional putative new species. 2. Brazil represents a substantial knowledge gap concerning the ecology, distribution and t...

In recent decades, the commercial importance of cephalopods has increased considerably, being an important fishing resource around the world. However, during the preparation for commercialization of those species, especially those sold in markets, they suffer the process known as calamari which includes removing and separating the head, arm, skin o...

Nota de repúdio à utilização de peixes exóticosvisando o combate a larvas do mosquito AedesaegyptiO vetor de arboviroses Zika, Chikungunya,febre amarela e dengue, em ecossistemas aquá-ticos brasileiros. (PDF) Nota de repúdio à utilização de peixes exóticos visando o combate a larvas do mosquito Aedes aegypti, vetor das arboviroses Zika, chikungun...

The trade of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in Brazil threatens the country’s rich endemic biodiversity. The present study explored the use of DNA-based tools to monitor the Brazilian elasmobranch trade, focusing on their role in identifying processed products and supporting conservation efforts. A systematic search of literature was conducted and...

The deep ocean is the last natural biodiversity refuge from the reach of human activities. Deepwater sharks and rays are among the most sensitive marine vertebrates to overexploitation. One-third of threatened deepwater sharks are targeted, and half the species targeted for the international liver-oil trade are threatened with extinction. Steep pop...

Strandings have been extensively documented for large mammals, however, a comprehensive survey focusing on batoids is currently lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a review of available stranding data sourced from iNaturalist, news websites, and published papers. A total of 3.148 reports encompassing 189 batoid species were recover...

We comprehensively assessed marine recreational fishing of threatened guitarfishes ( Pseudobatos percellens , Pseudobatos horkelii , and Zapteryx brevirostris ) in Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. A dual‐method approach integrated social media reports and in‐person interviews to explore practices, challenges, and conservation implicatio...

Molecular analysis is a powerful tool for assessing and developing conservation strategies for endangered species. Elasmobranchs comprise one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates, with about one‐third of the species subject to some degree of threat. This is the case for Pseudobatos horkelii , the Brazilian guitarfish, which has suffered sev...

The trade of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in Brazil raises significant concerns due to the country's rich endemic biodiversity. The present study explores the use of DNA-based tools to monitor the Brazilian elasmobranch trade, focusing on their role in identifying processed products and supporting conservation efforts. A systematic search of lit...

Fish mislabeling is a global issue with far-reaching consequences for both food security and biodiversity conservation. This practice involves the intentional or unintentional misidentification of fish species sold in markets and restaurants, often driven by economic gain or cultural preferences. The mislabeling of threatened fish species further e...

Polychromatism refers to the presence of two or more color patterns within a species. Several species exhibit polychromatic patterns, including some elasmobranchs such as the Xingu Freshwater Stingray (Potamotrygon leopoldi), a threatened, endemic freshwater stingray species that is exploited in the international aquarium trade. Analysis of polychr...

Falta de critério científico e distorções de informações no texto “Invasoras, Casuais ou Naturalizadas?Buscando uma classificação científica para as tilápias”, publicado na Revista Panorama da AQÜICULTURAem 20/04/2023, por Sergio Zimmermann, Renata M. Barroso Bertolini, Bruno M. Queiroz, Bernardo Baldisserotto e Danilo Streit. https://panoramadaaq...

The present study diagnosed the state of the art of elasmobranch research in the State of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Through a systematic literature review, 220 studies with elasmobranchs in the State were retrieved. Studies began in the 1980s, reaching a peak between 2010 and 2019. When the publication categories were considered separately, a predom...

Anthropogenic actions have affected marine species for a long time, through overexploitation of natural stocks and habitat degradation, influencing the life strategies of several taxa, especially rays and sharks, which have suffered significant population declines in recent years. Therefore, conservation actions and stock management have become par...

Abstract The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) faces varying levels of exploitation around the world due to its coastal distribution. Information regarding population connectivity is crucial to evaluate its conservation status and local fishing impacts. In this study, we sampled 922 putative Bull Sharks from 19 locations in the first global assessme...

Overfishing is the most significant threat facing sharks and rays. Given the growth in consumption of seafood, combined with the compounding effects of habitat loss, climate change, and pollution, there is a need to identify recovery paths, particularly in poorly managed and poorly monitored fisheries. Here, we document conservation through fisheri...

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) has been relatively well assessed concerning biology and ecology aspects in both Atlantic and Pacific North America and in Caribbean waters. The amount of data in these regions has led to the species protection under capture quotas and with the creation of sanctuaries. The reality in developing countries, however...

Sharks and rays are key functional components of coral reef ecosystems, yet many populations of a few species exhibit signs of depletion and local extinctions. The question is whether these declines forewarn of a global extinction crisis. We use IUCN Red List to quantify the status, trajectory, and threats to all coral reef sharks and rays worldwid...

Understanding the population structure of a species is important to accurately assess its conservation status and manage the risk of local extinction. The Bull Shark ( Carcharhinus leucas ) faces varying levels of exploitation around the world due to its coastal distribution. Information regarding population connectivity is crucial to evaluate its...

A Short-finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus, was found dead and with shark bites along its body on a beach in northeast Brazil. The present study aimed to identify the shark species responsible for the bites as well as to estimate its/their total length. Species identification was performed using the bite marks, which were of the same di...

Sharks and rays are among the most threatened vertebrates, mostly due to commercial fisheries. Data on incidental capture is sparse, but it is estimated that about 50% of reported global catches of elasmobranchs are from bycatch. Elasmobranchs are captured in a variety of fishing gear throughout the world. One promising strategy to minimize inciden...

Potamotrygoninae is a group of stingrays fully adapted to South American freshwater ecosystems. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of publications applying genetic tools. The present review compiles and discusses the recent advances of these studies and the future perspectives for the genetic studies of this group. Mitochondrial mar...

Chondrichthyan fishes are among the most threatened vertebrates on the planet because many species have slow life histories that are outpaced by intense fishing. The Western Central Atlantic Ocean, which includes the Greater Caribbean, is a hotspot of chondrichthyan biodiversity and abundance, but has been characterized by extensive shark and ray f...

Aim: This chapter explains hydrocarbon extraction and discusses its effects on inland water resources. Main concepts covered: Section “Hydrocarbon extraction overview” provides an overview of the history of hydrocarbon extraction, the occurrence, and formation of hydrocarbon resources, and explains the conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon ex...

Latin American countries have a high diversity of sharks, rays, and chimaeras, yet many species are at high risk of extinction due to numerous threats. The conservation of chondrichthyans is key to achieving healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems, and countries in Latin America are increasingly recognizing the need for aligning conservation stra...

Multiple paternity (MP) is a phenomenon observed for more than 30 elasmobranch species. The Batoidea is more specious than the Selachii, but only three studies of MP have been conducted on batoids. The occurrence of MP in freshwater stingrays was tested using microsatellite markers, which were developed for Potamotrygon leopoldi. Six mothers and th...

Citizen science is an excellent tool in studies of the spatial distribution of non‐native species. In Brazil, Opsanus beta has recently been introduced. Studies indicate the occurrence of this species in five estuaries off the Brazilian coast (Guanabara Bay, Sepetiba Bay, Santos Bay, Paranaguá Estuarine Complex and Guaratuba Bay). The present study...

A utilização das redes sociais como veículo de informações científicas e tecnológicas promove a aproximação da sociedade e cientistas, permitindo a compreensão do papel de cada um na sociedade. Utilizando uma linguagem clara e objetiva, a divulgação científica pode gerar grandes impactos na sociedade, informando e promovendo debates de maneira dinâ...

Chondrichthyan fishes are among the most threatened vertebrates on the planet because many species have slow life histories that are outpaced by intense fishing. The Western Central Atlantic Ocean, which includes the greater Caribbean, is a hotspot of chondrichthyan biodiversity and abundance, but is historically characterized by extensive shark an...

The scale and drivers of marine biodiversity loss are being revealed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment process. We present the first global reassessment of 1,199 species in Class Chondrichthyes—sharks, rays, and chimeras. The first global assessment (in 2014) concluded that one-quarter (24%) of species...

Aquaculture has tremendous importance in providing food for a growing world population. Nevertheless, unsustainable aquaculture causes nutrient build-up and favors biological invasions in natural habitats, demanding strategies to regulate such activity and therefore minimize environmental risks. Contrary to these concerns, the Brazilian Government...

The scale and drivers of marine biodiversity loss are being revealed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessment process. We present the first global reassessment of 1,199 species in Class Chondrichthyes—sharks, rays, and chimeras. The first global assessment (in 2014) concluded that one-quarter (24%) of species...

Contributions for the strategic planning of the conservation of the Carcharias taurus (sand tiger shark) in the Southwestern Atlantic. Este es el informe de dos talleres sobre la conservación del tiburón Carcharias taurus (sand tiger shark, mangona, escaladrún, sarda), organizados en el año de 2020, para una planificación colectiva de acciones de...

Este documento resume el trabajo de dos talleres sobre la conservación del tiburón Carcharias taurus. Se trata de una especie costera, de amplia distribución mundial. En el Atlántico Sudoccidental (ASO), se distribuye desde el norte de la Patagonia Argentina, hasta el sudeste de Brasil, incluyendo aguas uruguayas. En la Argentina, se lo conoce com...

e-letter to Protect high seas biodiversity (Helm et al. 2021)

Non-native fish (NNF) can threaten megadiverse aquatic ecosystems throughout the planet, but limited information is available for the Amazon Region. In this study we review NNF data in the Amazonian macroregion using spatiotemporal records on the occurrence and the richness of NNF from a collaborative network of 35 regional experts, establishing th...

Opsanus beta (Goode & Bean, 1880) é uma espécie endêmica do Golfo do México e do Mar do Caribe. A espécie foi registrada na costa sudeste-sul do Brasil cerca de duas décadas atrás, provavelmente introduzida por água de lastro, plataformas de petróleo e/ou aquarismo. Estudos pretéritos evidenciaram a ocorrência de O. beta em cinco estuários brasilei...

Rhizoprionodon lalandii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020

Several strategies have been adopted to optimize biodiversity conservation. The use of fauna and flora species as flagships can help increase public commitment and raise funds for their conservation. However, species choices must be well balanced, considering not only intrinsic aspects (e.g., risk of extinction and ecological role), but also social...

The chromosomes of two freshwater stingrays, Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon sp., from the Amazon River basin in Brazil were investigated using integrated molecular (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and cytogenetic analyses. Potamotrygon motoro presented intraspecific variation in the diploid number, with 2n=66 in the females and 2n=65 in the m...

The Roughskin Dogfish Centroscymnus owstonii is a poorly known species with eventual records along the Western South Atlantic. Different dermal denticles have been historically reported for juveniles and adults, which presupposes changes from a juvenile denticle type to an adult denticle type during growth. The present study was based on a male neo...