Genetic heterogeneity among blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, continental nurseries along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

• Published in: Marine biology Vol. 143; no. 6; pp. 1039 - 1046
• Main Authors: KEENEY, D. B, HEUPEL, M, HUETER, R. E, HEIST, E. J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.12.2003; Berlin Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal populations; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carcharhinus limbatus; Dispersal; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Haplotypes; Heterogeneity; Marine; Marine biology; Mitochondrial DNA; Neonates; Population genetics, reproduction patterns; Population structure; Sharks; Vertebrata; North Carolina; United States; America; Gulf of Mexico; Florida; North America; West Atlantic; United States > US; Atlantic Ocean; ASW, Mexico Gulf; ANW, USA, South Carolina; ANW, USA, South Carolina, Bulls Bay; USA; ASW, USA, Florida, Terra Ceia Bay; ASW, USA, Florida, West Coast; ASW, USA, Florida, Pine Island Sound; ASW, USA, Florida, Yankeetown; Genetic variability; Nucleotide sequence; Nursery (animal); Population structure; Mitochondrial DNA; Spatial variation; Population genetics; Dispersion; Coastal zone; Marine environment; Vertebrata; Pisces; Chondrichthyes
• DOI: 10.1007/s00227-003-1166-9
• ISSN: 0025-3162

Genetic population structure of the blacktip shark, Carcharhinus limbatus, a commercially and recreationally important species in the southeast U.S. shark fishery, was investigated using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. Neonate blacktip sharks were sampled from three nurseries, Pine Island Sound, Terra Ceia Bay, and Yankeetown, along the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida (Gulf) and one nursery, Bulls Bay, on the Atlantic Ocean coast of South Carolina (Atlantic). Sequencing of the complete mitochondrial control region of 169 neonates revealed 10 polymorphic sites and 13 haplotypes. Overall haplotype diversity and percent nucleotide diversity were 0.710 and 0.106%, respectively. Haplotype frequencies were compared among nurseries to determine if the high mobility and seasonal migrations of adult blacktip sharks have maintained genetic homogeneity among nurseries in the Atlantic and Gulf. Chi-square analysis and AMOVA did not detect significant structuring of haplotypes among the three Gulf nurseries, P(2)=0.294, phiST= -0.005 to -0.002. All pairwise AMOVA between Gulf nurseries and the Atlantic nursery detected significant partitioning of haplotypes between the Gulf and Atlantic (phiST=0.087-0.129, P<0.008), as did comparison between grouped Florida Gulf nurseries and the Atlantic, CT=0.090, P<0.001. Based upon the dispersal abilities and seasonal migrations of blacktip sharks, these results support the presence of philopatry for nursery areas among female blacktip sharks. Our data also support the treatment of Atlantic and Gulf blacktip shark nursery areas as separate management units. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]