Distinct management units for the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) revealed in the Canary Islands

The angelshark, Squatina squatina, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and remaining populations are highly fragmented throughout its historical distribution. The Canary Islands archipelago in the North East Atlantic has been identified as a uniquely large stronghold for the species. In the present study, we compared the population genetic structure of S. squatina across different islands of the Canary Island archipelago using both microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Both markers revealed significant differentiation of angelsharks between islands in the archipelago, with three main genetic units at: (1) Tenerife, (2) Gran Canaria and (3) the island group consisting of La Graciosa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Our results imply a connectivity barrier between some adjacent islands, most likely driven by abyssal depths, and varying geological history and formation of each island and oceanographic patterns (i.e. seasonal coastal upwellings off the African coast). Therefore, we suggest that in the Canary Islands, S. squatina populations should be managed locally, with conservation and research priorities designed and implemented specifically for each of the three genetic units.

Keyword(s)

Conservation, Genetic diversity, Microsatellites, SNPs, Elasmobranchs, Atlantic

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Meyers Eva K.M., Faure Nadia, Jiménez-Alvarado David, Barker Joanna, Toledo-Padilla Hector, Tuya Fernando, Pike Charlotte, Mead Lucy R., Sealey Michael J., Caro Maria Belén, Jacoby David M.P., Ravina Olivares Felipe, Bañeras Tomas, Guerra-Marrero Airam, Espino-Ruano Ana, Castro Jose Juan, Bousquet Caroline, Giovos Ioannis, Rödder Dennis, Manel Stéphanie, Deter Julie, Feldheim Kevin A. (2025). Distinct management units for the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) revealed in the Canary Islands. Conservation Genetics. 26. 103-116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-024-01655-1, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00918/103024/

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