title: Species identification and comparative population genetics of four coastal houndsharks based on novel NGS-mined microsatellites.
abstract: The common smooth-hound (Mustelus mustelus) is the topmost bio-economically and recreationally important shark species in southern Africa, western Africa, and Mediterranean Sea. Here, we used the Illumina HiSeq™ 2000 next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to develop novel microsatellite markers forMustelus mustelus. Two microsatellite multiplex panels were constructed from 11 polymorphic loci and characterized in two populations ofMustelus mustelusrepresentative of its South African distribution. The markers were then tested for cross-species utility inGaleorhinus galeus,Mustelus palumbes, andTriakis megalopterus, three other demersal coastal sharks also subjected to recreational and/or commercial fishery pressures in South Africa. We assessed genetic diversity (NA,AR,HO,HE,and PIC) and differentiation (FSTandDest) for each species and also examined the potential use of these markers in species assignment. In each of the four species, all 11 microsatellites were variable with up to a meanNAof 8,ARup to 7.5,HEand PIC as high as 0.842. We were able to reject genetic homogeneity for all species investigated here except forT.megalopterus. We found that the panel of the microsatellite markers developed in this study could discriminate between the study species, particularly for those that are morphologically very similar. Our study provides molecular tools to address ecological and evolutionary questions vital to the conservation and management of these locally and globally exploited shark species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics Molecular Breeding and Biodiversity Group Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa.
authors.forename: Simo N
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9372-4360
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Maduna
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics Molecular Breeding and Biodiversity Group Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa.
authors.forename: Charné
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossouw
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Fisheries Research Rogge Bay South Africa.
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science Rhodes University Grahamstown South Africa.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soekoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics Molecular Breeding and Biodiversity Group Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch South Africa.
authors.forename: Aletta E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bester-van der Merwe
keywords: Galeorhinus galeus; Illumina sequencing; Mustelus mustelus; Mustelus palumbes; Triakis megalopterus; cross‐amplification; microsatellites