NSF Org:	DEB Division Of Environmental Biology
Recipient:	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
Initial Amendment Date:	September 21, 2001
Latest Amendment Date:	March 30, 2004
Award Number:	0103640
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Judith Skog DEB  Division Of Environmental Biology BIO  Directorate for Biological Sciences
Start Date:	September 1, 2001
End Date:	August 31, 2005 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$324,953.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$329,703.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2001 = $324,953.00 FY 2004 = $4,750.00
History of Investigator:	Janine Caira (Principal Investigator) janine.caira@uconn.edu Gavin Naylor (Co-Principal Investigator) Kirsten Jensen (Co-Principal Investigator) Peter Last (Co-Principal Investigator) John Stevens (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	University of Connecticut 438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133 STORRS CT  US  06269-9018 (860)486-3622
Sponsor Congressional District:	02
Primary Place of Performance:	University of Connecticut 438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133 STORRS CT  US  06269-9018
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	02
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):	WNTPS995QBM7
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	Biodiversity: Discov &Analysis, Systematics & Biodiversity Sci
Primary Program Source:	01000102DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT app-0104
Program Reference Code(s):	1198, 9169, 9178, 9251, EGCH, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	119800, 737400
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.074

ABSTRACT

A Survey of the Sharks and Rays of Borneo and their Metazoan Parasites

In a collaborative effort involving parasite and elasmobranch taxonomists
from eight different institutions in the US, Australia and Malaysia, this
project will focus on the elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) and their metazoan
parasites of the inshore and freshwater habitats of East Malaysia on the
island of Borneo. Preliminary surveys suggest that this region is home to well
over 100 species of sharks and rays, many of which are poorly known, and at
least some of which are likely to be new to science. At present,
essentially no records of metazoan parasites exist for sharks and rays of this
geographic region. It is anticipated that the project will yield an
extensive diversity of metazoan parasites belonging to at least four animal
phyla, including all four major groups of platyhelminths, as well as annelids,
nematodes and perhaps as many as five major groups of arthropods.

Metazoan parasite diversity in sharks and rays generated from data collected in a
previous survey conducted elsewhere will be tested. These data lead to the
prediction that this region may yield between 500 and 1,000 species of
metazoan parasites, well over 50% of which are likely to be new to science.
This survey will provide essential baseline taxonomic data to facilitate the
development of a resource management plan in East Malaysia. It will also do
much to begin to fill in an enormous gap in our knowledge of parasites of
sharks and rays.

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