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Molecular diversity and distribution of eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean dogfishes Squalus highlight taxonomic issues in the genus
Author(s) -
Veríssimo Ana,
ZaeraPerez Diana,
Leslie Rob,
Iglésias Samuel P.,
Séret Bernard,
Grigoriou Panagiotis,
Sterioti Aspasia,
Gubili Chrysoula,
Barría Claudio,
Duffy Clinton,
Hernández Sebastián,
Batjakas Ioannis E.,
Griffiths Andrew M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/zsc.12224
Subject(s) - biology , taxon , taxonomy (biology) , mediterranean climate , genus , ecology , conservation status , zoology , mediterranean sea , taxonomic rank , fishery , habitat
The alpha taxonomy of the globally distributed shark genus Squalus has been under intense investigation recently, and many new species have been described over the last decade. However, taxonomic uncertainty remains about several taxa. Without consistent nomenclature and the ability to reliably distinguish between the different Squalus species, basic data collection, downstream conservation and management efforts are seriously compromised. To aid in clarifying the taxonomic status of Squalus species in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, we assessed species diversity at the molecular level and evaluated the consistency in species identification in the region. Samples from all nominal Squalus species recognized in the above regions were collected in an international effort and sequenced for regions of the mitochondrial COI and ND 2 genes. These data were further analysed alongside publicly available sequences, including 19 of the 26 Squalus species globally recognized, to compare the regional genus‐level diversity with that found elsewhere. Our results confirm inconsistent species identification in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Squalus , particularly concerning S. blainville and S. megalops , and reinforce the need to revise the status of S. megalops and S. mitsukurii as they may include several distinct species distributed around the world. The status of S. blainville is also discussed in the light of the current findings and its problematic taxonomic history.