Dr. Johann MOURIER
Nationality French
Age 30 years, born April 11th, 1981, Lyon, France
Professional Add. USR 3278 EPHE CNRS (CBETM)
Centre de Biologie et d’Ecologie Tropicale et Méditerranéenne
Université de Perpignan, 66860 Perpignan cedex – France
&
USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE (CRIOBE)
Centre de Recherches Insulaire et Observatoire de l’Environnement
BP 1013, 98 729, Papetoai, Moorea, Polynésie française
Email: johann.mourier@gmail.com
Website: http://johannmourier.wordpress.com/
Biography:
I have been involved in the study of shark behaviour since 2005 when I completed my final internship on the great white shark behaviour in South Africa to graduate in marine science engineering school of Rennes. After being involved in a basking shark project in Britany (France), I started a Master thesis on the genetic structure and breeding patterns of sicklefin lemon sharks in Moorea (French Polynesia) at Criobe in 2007. I continued with a PhD project on the behavioural ecology of blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in Moorea between 2008 and 2011 and completed my PhD on May 2011. After my PhD, I obtained a Temporal Lecturer position (ATER) at EPHE (Ecole pratique des Hautes Etudes) and I am actually involved in the coordination of a marine biodiversity expedition in Marquesas (French Polynesia) for AAMP (Marine Protected Area Agency) and CNRS as well as conducting shark research in French Polynesia.
Education:
2008-2011: PhD Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (USR 3278 EPHE-CNRS) France
Behavioural ecology of the blacktip reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus, in Moorea (French Polynesia). Supervisor: Serge PLANES
2006-2007: MSc EPHE Environment and management of biodiversity UMR 5244 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, University of Perpignan, France
2002-2005: MSc Fishery-Agronomy, Rennes and Bordeaux, France
2004-2005 : Agrocampus (ENSAR) – Diplôme d’Agronomie Approfondie (DAA), halieutique; 2001-2003: ENITAB- Diplôme d’Agronomie Géneral (DAG)
Research interests:
(Complete description of his research is available on his website: http://johannmourier.wordpress.com/)
Behavioural ecology of sharks
Movements: Individual shark movements and space utilization in French Polynesia.
Social behaviour of sharks: Analyses of the structure and organization of shark agregations using photo-identification and social network analyses to understand which factors affect the formation of groups in sharks.
Reproduction and connectivity: Survey of gestation of female sharks as well as dispersal and connectivity driven by females during parturition using molecular analyses such as parentage assignments.
Reproductive evolutionary strategies: Assessment of the degree of inbreeding and mate choice in shark population.
Natal philopatry: Investigation of potential natal philopatry processes of female sharks to give birth in their natal nurseries.
Conservation
Impact of recreational tourism: Assessment of impact of « shark-feeding » on shark’s behaviour and ecology.
Determination of essential habitats: Assessment of essential habitats required by sharks for the maintenance of their populations and their vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances.
List of publications:
Submitted:
Vignaud, T., J. Mourier, E. Clua & S. Planes (Submitted) Microsatellite analyses of reef shark populations in a fragmented environment drive new conservation strategies. PLoS ONE.
Published & in press:
Mourier J., J. Vercelloni & S. Planes (in press). Evidence of social units in a spatially structured network of a free-ranging shark species. Animal Behaviour.
Clua, E, N. Buray, P. Legendre, J. Mourier & S. Planes (2011) Business partner or simple catch? The economic value of the sicklefin lemon shark in French Polynesia. Marine and Freshwater research 62: 764-770. (PDF)
Clua E, Buray N, Legendre P, Mourier J, Planes S (2010) Effects of provisioning on shark behaviour: Reply to Brunnschweiler & McKenzie (2010). Mar Ecol Prog Ser 420:285-288
Clua E, Buray N, Legendre P, Mourier J, Planes S (2010) Behavioural response of sicklefin lemon sharks Negaprion acutidens to underwater feeding for ecotourism purposes. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 414:257–266. (PDF)
Mills, S.C, J. Mourier & R. Galzin (2010) Plasma cortisol and 11-ketotestosterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit validation for three fish species: the clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula; the orange-fin anemonefish A. chrysopterus; and the blackfin reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus. Journal of Fish Biology 77(3): 769-777.
Buray, N., J. Mourier, S. Planes, & E. Clua 2009. Underwater photo-identification of sicklefin lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens, at Moorea (French Polynesia) Cybium 33(1): 21-27. (PDF)
Thesis:
MOURIER, J. (2011). Social networks and complex behaviour in sharks. PhD Thesis, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, France.
MOURIER, J. (2007). Population structure of the sicklefin lemon shark, Negaprion acutidens, in Moorea, French Polynesia. M.Sc. Thesis, Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, France.
MOURIER, J. (2005). Interactions between the Great White Shark, Carcharodon carcharias, and chumming vessels in Mossel Bay, South Africa: Do practices of chumming and baiting affect the behaviour of white sharks and condition them to associate human and boats with food. M.Sc. Thesis, Arocampus Rennes, Rennes, France.
International Conferences:
I have presented my research in 3 international conferences (Shark International in Australia 2010, PSI 2009 in Tahiti and European Elasmobranch Association conference in 2007 in France).
Media appearance:
I have been featured in different media such as Documentaries (ARTE, France Télévision, Polynesian TV programs), radio (France Inter, RFO) and news papers (Le Monde, La Dépêche de Tahiti, Scuba Diver…).
Additional scientific involvements:
Secretary and scientific advisor for ORP (Observatoire des Requins de Polynésie / Association for surveys of Polynesian sharks) since 2011: http://www.requinsdepolynesie.com/index.php
Scientific advisor for COARE « Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education » (http://coare.org/) since 2008.
Member of the shark association APECS (Association pour l’Étude et la Conservation des Sélaciens) since 2006. (http://www.asso-apecs.org/).
Member of the shark association AILERONS since 2011. (http://ailerons.eu/).
