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Phylogeography of the copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) in the southern hemisphere: Implications for the conservation of a coastal apex predator

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Benavides, M. T., Feldheim, K. A., Duffy, C. A., Wintner, S., Braccini, J. M., Boomer, J., Huveneers, C., Rogers, P., Mangel, J. C., Alfaro-Shigueto, J., Cartamil, D. P. and Chapman, D. D. (2011) Phylogeography of the copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) in the southern hemisphere: Implications for the conservation of a coastal apex predator. Marine and Freshwater Research, 62 (7). pp. 861-869. ISSN 1323-1650

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Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10236

Abstract

The copper or bronze whaler shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus) is a large, coastal top predator that is vulnerable to overexploitation. We test the null hypothesis that copper sharks are panmictic throughout the southern hemisphere. We analysed part of the mitochondrial control region (mtCR) in 120 individuals from eight sampling areas, defining 20 mtCR haplotypes (h = 0.76 ± 0.06, π = 0.016 ± 0.0007). Significant genetic structure was detected among the following three major coastal regions separated by oceanic habitat: Australia–New Zealand, South Africa–Namibia and Perú (AMOVA ΦST = 0.95, P < 0.000001). A major phylogeographic discontinuity exists across the Indian Ocean, indicating an absence of at least female-mediated gene flow for ~3 million years. We propose that this species originated in the Atlantic, experienced vicariant isolation of Pacific and Atlantic lineages by the rise of the Isthmus of Panama and, subsequently, dispersed across the Pacific to colonise Australasia. Oceanic expanses appear to be traversed over evolutionary but not ecological timescales, which means that regional copper-shark populations should be assessed and managed independently.

Item Type:Article
Keywords:bronze whaler, control region, fin trade, mitochondrial DNA, population genetics
Subjects:Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > By oceans and seas
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > Fishery conservation
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > Fishery for individual species
Live Archive:11 Apr 2024 01:40
Last Modified:11 Apr 2024 01:40

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