Genetic composition of the stingray Hypanus guttatus (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) on the Brazilian coast, using SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)

• Grant number: 23/18120-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Claudio de Oliveira
• Grantee: Aline Morero Faria
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Excessive fishing imposes changes in the life strategy of populations of aquatic organisms, especially elasmobranchs such as sharks and rays. Thus, understanding the distribution of species and the structure of populations becomes an important tool for managing and conserving stocks that require knowledge about genetic, biogeographical aspects, distribution and occurrence of species. Hypanus guttatus is a species of ray whose populations identified near the mouth of the Amazon River present two genetically different lineages, separated by the geographic barrier of the Amazon-Orinoco Plume (PAO). This species occurs along the Brazilian coast, with its distribution extending from southern Brazil to the Gulf of Mexico. In this context, the main objective of the present work is to use the genetic tool of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (NADH2) to identify species of the genus Hypanus that occur on the coast of Brazil and to develop SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers to analyze the structure population genetics and genetic diversity of H. guttatus. To carry out this research, 202 samples of specimens of the genus Hypanus will be used, already available and obtained in different locations distributed along the Brazilian coast. The samples will be used for amplification and sequencing of the NADH2 gene to confirm the identity of the species and for identification and analysis of SNPs obtained from next generation sequencing (NGS). The results will contribute to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of this group of organisms, enabling the identification of species and populations that occur on the Brazilian coast, in order to identify the structure of stocks, thereby assisting in conservation programs.