From rivers to ocean basins: The role of ocean barriers and philopatry in the genetic structuring of a cosmopolitan coastal predator

The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) faces varying levels of exploitation around the world due to its coastal distribution. Information regarding population connectivity is crucial to evaluate its conservation status and local fishing impacts. In this study, we sampled 922 putative Bull Sharks from 19 locations in the first global assessment of population structure of this cosmopolitan species. Using a recently developed DNA-capture approach (DArTcap), samples were genotyped for 3400 nuclear markers. Additionally, full mitochondrial genomes of 384 Indo-Pacific samples were sequenced. Reproductive isolation was found between and across ocean basins (eastern Pacific, western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, Indo-West Pacific) with distinct island populations in Japan and Fiji. Bull Sharks appear to maintain gene flow using shallow coastal waters as dispersal corridors, whereas large oceanic distances and historical land-bridges act as barriers. Females tend to return to the same area for reproduction, making them more susceptible to local threats and an important focus for management actions. Given these behaviors, the exploitation of Bull Sharks from insular populations, such as Japan and Fiji, may instigate local decline that cannot readily be replenished by immigration, which can in turn affect ecosystem dynamics and functions. These data also supported the development of a genetic panel to ascertain the population of origin, which will be useful in monitoring the trade of fisheries products and assessing population-level impacts of this harvest.

Keyword(s)

close-kin, DArTseq, DNA forensics, genetic connectivity, mitogenome, provenance

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Devloo‐delva Floriaan, Burridge Christopher P., Kyne Peter M., Brunnschweiler Juerg M., Chapman Demian D., Charvet Patricia, Chen Xiao, Cliff Geremy, Daly Ryan, Drymon J. Marcus, Espinoza Mario, Fernando Daniel, Barcia Laura Garcia, Glaus Kerstin, González‐garza Blanca I., Grant Michael I., Gunasekera Rasanthi M., Hernandez Sebastian, Hyodo Susumu, Jabado Rima W., Jaquemet Sébastien, Johnson Grant, Ketchum James T., Magalon Hélène, Marthick James R., Mollen Frederik H., Mona Stefano, Naylor Gavin J. P., Nevill John E. G., Phillips Nicole M., Pillans Richard D., Postaire Bautisse D., Smoothey Amy F., Tachihara Katsunori, Tillet Bree J., Valerio‐vargas Jorge A., Feutry Pierre (2023). From rivers to ocean basins: The role of ocean barriers and philopatry in the genetic structuring of a cosmopolitan coastal predator. Ecology And Evolution. 13 (2). e9837 (22p.). https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9837, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00822/93396/

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