Conservation Genetics of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark in the Pacific Coast of Colombia

Previous investigations of the population genetics of the scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific have lacked information about nursery areas. Such areas are key to promoting conservation initiatives that can protect young sharks from threats such as overfishing....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of heredity 2015, Vol.106 Suppl 1 (S1), p.448-458
Main Authors: Quintanilla, Sonia, Gómez, Alberto, Mariño-Ramírez, Camila, Sorzano, Carolina, Bessudo, Sandra, Soler, German, Bernal, Jaime E, Caballero, Susana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal populations
Animals
Aquaculture
Colombia
Conservation
Conservation of Natural Resources
DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics
Endangered Species
Genetic diversity
Genetic Markers
Genetic Variation
Genetics, Population
Genotype
Haplotypes
Marine
Microsatellite Repeats
Phylogeography
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Sharks
Sharks - genetics
Sphyrna lewini
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Summary:Previous investigations of the population genetics of the scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific have lacked information about nursery areas. Such areas are key to promoting conservation initiatives that can protect young sharks from threats such as overfishing. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity, phylogeography, and connectivity of S. lewini found in 3 areas of Colombia's Pacific coast: around Malpelo Island and in 2 National Natural Parks on the Colombian Pacific mainland (Sanquianga and Ensenada de Utría). We analyzed mtDNA control region (CR) sequences and genotyped 15 microsatellite loci in 137 samples of adults and juveniles. The mtDNA analyses showed haplotypes shared between the Colombian Pacific individuals sampled in this investigation and other areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, the Indo-Pacific, and with sequences previously reported in Colombia (Buenaventura Port), as well as 4 unique haplotypes. Population assignment and paternity analyses detected 3 parent-offspring pairs between Malpelo and Sanquianga and 1 between Malpelo and Utría. These results indicate high genetic connectivity between Malpelo Island and the Colombian Pacific coast, suggesting that these 2 areas are nurseries for S. lewini. This is, to our knowledge, the first evidence of nursery areas identified for the scalloped hammerhead shark anywhere in the world. Additional conservation planning may be required to protect these nursery habitats of this endangered shark species.
ISSN:0022-1503
1465-7333
DOI:10.1093/jhered/esv050