The importance of considering genetic diversity in shark and ray conservation policies

Author(s)

Domingues, Rodrigo Rodrigues ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva Hilsdorf, Alexandre Wagner ^[3] ; Fazzano Gadig, Otto Bismarck ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, Inst Biociencias Rio Claro, Av 24-A, 1515, BR-11350690 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Lab Pesquisa Elasmobranquios, Inst Biociencias, Campus Litoral Paulista, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Mogi das Cruzes, Nucl Integrado Biotecnol, BR-08701970 Mogi Das Cruzes, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: CONSERVATION GENETICS; v. 19, n. 3, p. 501-525, JUN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

Many populations of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are experiencing severe declines due to the high demand for shark fins in Asia, the activities of unregulated fisheries, and increases in shark and ray catches. Recently, the effects of the decline in the populations of marine fish species on genetic diversity have drawn increasing attention; however, only a few studies have addressed the genetic diversity of shark and ray populations. Here, we report the results of a quantitative analysis of the genetic diversity of shark and ray species over the past 20 years and discuss the importance and utility of this genetic information for fisheries management and conservation policies. Furthermore, we suggest future actions important for minimizing the gaps in our current knowledge of the genetic diversity of shark and ray species and to minimize the information gap between genetic scientists and policymakers. We suggest that shark and ray fisheries management and conservation policies consider genetic diversity information, such as the management unit, effective population size (Ne), haplotype and nucleotide diversity, observed heterozygosity, and allelic richness, because the long-term survival of a species is strongly dependent on the levels of genetic diversity within and between populations. In addition, sharks and rays are a group of particular interest for genetic conservation due to their remarkable life histories. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/54660-6 - DNA mitochondrial sequence analysis for genetic population and molecular identification assessment of economically important pelagic fish species landed in fishery ports of State of São Paulo coast
• Grantee: Alexandre Wagner Silva Hilsdorf
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/08675-7 - Genetic Connectivity, Phylogeography and Pelagic Sharks Conservation in the Western Atlantic Ocean
• Grantee: Rodrigo Rodrigues Domingues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate