Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Journal of Heredity
Publication Date
3-1-2023
Volume
114
Issue
2
First Page
152
Last Page
164
Keywords
phylogenetics, population genetics, RADseq, RRL methods
DOI
10.1093/jhered/esac064
ISSN
00221503
Abstract
Inferences made from molecular data support regional stock assessment goals by providing insights into the genetic population dynamics of enigmatic species. Population genomics metrics, such as genetic diversity and population connectivity, serve as useful proxies for species health and stability. Sleeper sharks (genus Somniosus) are ecologically important deep-sea predators, estimated to reach ages of 250 to 300 yr and taking decades to reach sexual maturity. The subgenus Somniosus (Somniosus) is comprised of 3 species: S. pacificus, S. microcephalus, and S. antarcticus. Given the life history strategy of somniosids, they are vulnerable to overfishing and population declines. Further, data to assess the stocks of these species are limited. To address this deficiency, we used the reduced representation library method Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to conduct phylogenomic and population genomics analyses, providing novel information for use in stock assessments. Our results strongly support the species status of S. microcephalus (N = 79), but recover S. antarcticus (N = 2) intermixed within the S. pacificus (N = 170) clade. Population genomics analyses reveal genetic homogeneity within S. pacificus and S. microcephalus, and estimates of effective population size were in the hundreds for both species. Kinship analysis identified 2 first-degree relative pairs within our dataset (1 within each species). Our results contribute new information for stock assessments of these uniquely long-lived species by providing the strongest molecular evidence to date for the synonymization of S. antarcticus and S. pacificus, as well as estimating population genomic metrics for each supported species within the Somniosus (Somniosus) subgenus.
E-ISSN
14657333
PubMed ID
36477342
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Timm, Laura E.; Tribuzio, Cindy; Walter, Ryan P.; Larson, Wesley A.; Murray, Brent W.; Hussey, Nigel E.; and Wildes, Sharon. (2023). Molecular ecology of the sleeper shark subgenus Somniosus (Somniosus) reveals genetic homogeneity within species and lack of support for S. antarcticus. Journal of Heredity, 114 (2), 152-164.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/ibiopub/169