Karissa Lear

Energetics is fundamentally linked to the fitness of animals and as a result is of considerable interest to many disciplines in the biological sciences, from biophysics to ecology. Despite its universal importance, our understanding of the energetics of elasmobranch fishes has been hampered by the logistical challenges of studying this taxon. This chapter reviews the state of knowledge of the energetics and metabolism of sharks and their relatives from the molecular to the ecosystem level by detailing the physiological processes related to bioenergetics and their application to biological problems. The recent advances in the field of bioenergetics of elasmobranch fishes have been underpinned by developments and improvements in methodologies both in the laboratory and in the field, offering new insight into extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting energy demand and how energetics shape species’ ecology and evolution. Finally, this chapter highlights how a detailed understanding of bioenergetics can support the conservation and management of elasmobranchs.