Genetic population structure of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini (Elasmobranchii: Sphyrnidae), inferred from microsatellite markers

• Grant number: 07/03065-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2007 - March 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: César Martins
• Grantee: César Martins
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Understanding the genetic structure and variability in natural populations is crucial for its adequate exploration or conservation. Concerning sharks are scarce the available data for the majority of the species. This implies low knowledge on essential biological parameters as migration taxes, dispersion movements and the gene flow patterns. The scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini is a cosmopolitan species that in the last few decades has suffering accented decline from its populations as result of the intense exploration inflicted by fisheries. In Brazil this exploration take place throughout the coast being more intense in nursery coastal areas. The lack of data relative to S. lewini population trends and genetic variability of the reproductive stocks has puzzled the elaboration of strategies for the handling and conservation of this species. Based on this scenario, the present proposal intents to evaluate the genetic structure of S. lewini populations in Brazilian coast through the use of microsatellites and support the creation of protected nursery grounds aiming the preservation of such important shark species. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PINHAL, DANILLO; SHIVJI, MAHMOOD S.; NACHTIGALL, PEDRO G.; CHAPMAN, DEMIAN D.; MARTINS, CESAR. A Streamlined DNA Tool for Global Identification of Heavily Exploited Coastal Shark Species (Genus Rhizoprionodon). PLoS One, v. 7, n. 4, APR 9 2012. (07/03067-8, 07/03065-5)

PINHAL, DANILLO; DOMINGUES, RODRIGO R.; BRUELS, CHRISTINE C.; FERRETTE, BRUNO L. S.; GADIG, OTTO B. F.; SHIVJI, MAHMOOD S.; MARTINS, CESAR. Restricted connectivity and population genetic fragility in a globally endangered Hammerhead Shark. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, v. 30, n. 3, JUN 2020. (07/03067-8, 07/03065-5, 17/02420-8)