Facial reconstruction

Search LJMU Research Online

Browse Repository | Browse E-Theses

Mitochondrial DNA haplotype diversity and origin of captive sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus)

Wynne, R and Wilding, CS (2018) Mitochondrial DNA haplotype diversity and origin of captive sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus). Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, 6 (3). pp. 74-78. ISSN 2214-7594

[img]
Preview
Text
56 Wynne and Wilding 2018.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (502kB) | Preview

Abstract

The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus) is listed as globally vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with geographically isolated and separated global populations with little or no gene flow between them. Captive-breeding of these sharks in aquaria would reduce the need to populate displays with wild-caught individuals; however, sand tigers are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity. In this study we analysed 520bp of the mitochondrial D-loop to assess the haplotype diversity of 19 captive sand tiger sharks from aquaria in the UK and US. Genetic material was sampled in a non-invasive fashion through DNA extracted from shed teeth. Data obtained were compared to known, geographically mapped wild haplotypes to establish whether individuals from different global populations are being housed together. Results identified the haplotype of a minimum of 10 of the 19 sharks, detecting four different haplotypes, and identifying a previously undescribed haplotype (haplotype K). A major genetic subdivision between the haplotypes of the North West Atlantic and those of other global populations has been previously shown from population genetic analyses. Our results indicate that captive sharks can be from either side of this subdivision and occasionally these can be co-housed in the same aquarium. Since sharks with highly divergent genetic ancestry are being kept together, these findings have implications for conservation efforts regarding the individual needs of sand tiger shark populations and for captive-breeding program success rates.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions: Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher: European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
Date Deposited: 01 Aug 2018 10:39
Last Modified: 04 Sep 2021 02:32
DOI or ID number: 10.19227/jzar.v6i3.348
URI: https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/9050
View Item View Item