Genome-wide diversity of the reef fish Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834): contributions to the conservation of groupers

Author(s)

Geribello Priolli, Regina Helena ; Bajay, Miklos Maximiliano ; Alves-Pereira, Alessandro ; Lima Tribst, Alline Artigiani ; Matias Silvano, Renato Azevedo ; Macedo Lopes, Priscila Fabiana ; Begossi, Alpina

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CAHIERS DE BIOLOGIE MARINE; v. 63, n. 3, p. 14-pg., 2022-01-01.

Abstract

The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus is one of the Serranidae (Epinephelinae) listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Data regarding population structure and genetic variation levels can be analysed and incorporated into fishery science to increase the chances of successful population restoration. In this study, 5414 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers identified with NextRAD genotyping were used to evaluate both the genetic diversity of E. marginatus from six sampling locations along the Brazilian coast and their genetic relationships to another grouper species, Epinephelus morio. Principal component analysis defined clusters concordant with each grouper species. For E. marginatus, similar genomic diversity was found across sampling locations; however, two locations had high and significant inbreeding coefficients. Analyses of molecular variance and F-ST estimates suggested low levels of genome-wide differentiation among the E. marginatus sampling locations. Discriminant analysis of principal components and Bayesian analysis of Structure software suggested high levels of genetic admixture between samples from different locations and extensive movements of E. marginatus in the study area. Based on the genetic information obtained, future directions for the management of grouper fishing on the Brazilian coast are suggested. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/16939-7 - Fishers and groupers [Epinephelus marginatus]: ecology, ethnoecology and food security in the Brazilian coast
• Grantee: Alpina Begossi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/00036-9 - Genomic resources of manioc (Manihot esculenta) for the evolutionary study of cultivated varieties and in the search of important genes for breeding
• Grantee: Alessandro Alves Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral