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Melis R, Di Crescenzo S, Cariani A, Ferrari A, Crobe V, Bellodi A, Mulas A, Carugati L, Coluccia E, Follesa MC, Cannas R. I Like This New Me: Unravelling Population Structure of Mediterranean Electric Rays and Taxonomic Uncertainties within Torpediniformes. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2899. [PMID: 37760300 PMCID: PMC10525375 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study focused on the three species of electric rays known to occur in the Mediterranean Sea: Torpedo torpedo, Torpedo marmorata and Tetronarce nobiliana. Correct identification of specimens is needed to properly assess the impact of fisheries on populations and species. Unfortunately, torpedoes share high morphological similarities, boosting episodes of field misidentification. In this context, genetic data was used (1) to identify specimens caught during fishing operations, (2) to measure the diversity among and within these species, and (3) to shed light on the possible occurrence of additional hidden species in the investigated area. New and already published sequences of COI and NADH2 mitochondrial genes were analyzed, both at a small scale along the Sardinian coasts (Western Mediterranean) and at a large scale in the whole Mediterranean Sea. High levels of genetic diversity were found in Sardinian populations, being significantly different from other areas of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea due to the biotic and abiotic factors here discussed. Sardinian torpedoes can hence be indicated as priority populations/areas to be protected within the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, sequence data confirmed that only the three species occur in the investigated area. The application of several 'species-delimitation' methods found evidence of cryptic species in the three species outside the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in other genera/families, suggesting the urgent need for future studies and a comprehensive revision of the order Torpediniformes for its effective conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Melis
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Simone Di Crescenzo
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Alessia Cariani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.C.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
| | - Alice Ferrari
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.C.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
| | - Valentina Crobe
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (A.C.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
| | - Andrea Bellodi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Antonello Mulas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Laura Carugati
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Coluccia
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
| | - Rita Cannas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; (R.M.); (S.D.C.); (A.B.); (A.M.); (L.C.); (E.C.); (M.C.F.)
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Balàka PF, Ugarković P, Türtscher J, Kriwet J, Niedermüller S, Krstinić P, Jambura PL. Updated Checklist of Chondrichthyan Species in Croatia (Central Mediterranean Sea). BIOLOGY 2023; 12:952. [PMID: 37457320 PMCID: PMC7614753 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Almost half of all chondrichthyan species in the Mediterranean Sea are threatened with extinction, according to the IUCN Red List. Due to a substantial lack of access to data on chondrichthyan catches in the Mediterranean Sea, especially of threatened species, the implementation of conservation measures is extremely insufficient. This also concerns the Adriatic Sea. Here we present a detailed and up-to-date assessment of the species occurring in Croatian waters, as the last checklist of chondrichthyans in Croatian waters was conducted in 2009. Occurrence records from historical data, literature and citizen science information have been compiled in order to present a comprehensive list of species occurrences. We found 54 chondrichthyan species between 1822 and 2022, consisting of a single chimaera, 23 rays and skates, and 30 shark species. Here, four additional species are listed but are considered doubtful. Five species are reported here for the first time for Croatian waters that were not listed in the survey from 2009. Nearly one-third of the species reported here are critically endangered in the entire Mediterranean Sea, based on the IUCN Red List. Additionally, we revisited the Croatian records of the sandtiger shark Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 and discussed its potential confusion with the smalltooth sandtiger shark Odontaspis ferox (Risso, 1810). Our results thus provide novel insights into the historical and current distribution patterns of chondrichthyan fishes in the Croatian Sea and provide a basis for further research as well as conservation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia F. Balàka
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Pero Ugarković
- World Wide Fund for Nature Adria (WWF Adria), Gundulićeva 63, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Julia Türtscher
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution (VDSEE), University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Kriwet
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution (VDSEE), University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Simone Niedermüller
- World Wide Fund for Nature Mediterranean Marine Initiative (WWF MMI), Via Po 25/c, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Patrik Krstinić
- World Wide Fund for Nature Adria (WWF Adria), Gundulićeva 63, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Patrick L. Jambura
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 (UZA II), 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution (VDSEE), University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Ferrari A, Crobe V, Cannas R, Leslie RW, Serena F, Stagioni M, Costa FO, Golani D, Hemida F, Zaera-Perez D, Sion L, Carbonara P, Fiorentino F, Tinti F, Cariani A. To Be, or Not to Be: That Is the Hamletic Question of Cryptic Evolution in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Raja miraletus Species Complex. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2139. [PMID: 37443937 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a high species diversity, skates (Rajiformes) exhibit remarkably conservative morphology and ecology. Limited trait variations occur within and between species, and cryptic species have been reported among sister and non-sister taxa, suggesting that species complexes may be subject to stabilising selection. Three sibling species are currently recognised in the Raja miraletus complex: (i) R. miraletus occurring along the Portuguese and Mediterranean coasts, (ii) R. parva in the Central-Eastern Atlantic off West Africa and (iii) R. ocellifera in the Western Indian Ocean off South Africa. In the present study, the genetic variation at mitochondrial and nuclear markers was estimated in the species complex by analysing 323 individuals sampled across most of its geographical distribution area to test the hypothesis that restricted gene flow and genetic divergence within species reflect known climate and bio-oceanographic discontinuities. Our results support previous morphological studies and confirm the known taxonomic boundaries of the three recognised species. In addition, we identified multiple weakly differentiated clades in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean, at least two additional cryptic taxa off Senegal and Angola, a pronounced differentiation of ancient South African clades. The hidden genetic structure presented here may represent a valuable support to species' conservation action plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ferrari
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Valentina Crobe
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rob W Leslie
- Branch Fisheries Management, Department Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cape Town 8018, South Africa
| | - Fabrizio Serena
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology, National Research Council, 91026 Trapani, Italy
| | - Marco Stagioni
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Department Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 61032 Fano, Italy
| | - Filipe O Costa
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) and ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Daniel Golani
- Department of Evolution, Systematics and Ecology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Farid Hemida
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Sciences de la Mer et de l'Aménagement du Littoral, Campus Universitaire de Dely Ibrahim, Algiers 16320, Algeria
| | | | - Letizia Sion
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Fiorentino
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology, National Research Council, 91026 Trapani, Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Fausto Tinti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Cariani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Crobe V, Ferrari A, Hanner R, Leslie RW, Steinke D, Tinti F, Cariani A. Molecular Taxonomy and Diversification of Atlantic Skates (Chondrichthyes, Rajiformes): Adding More Pieces to the Puzzle of Their Evolutionary History. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070596. [PMID: 34206388 PMCID: PMC8303890 DOI: 10.3390/life11070596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation and long-term management plans of marine species need to be based upon the universally recognized key-feature of species identity. This important assignment is particularly challenging in skates (Rajiformes) in which the phenotypic similarity between some taxa and the individual variability in others, hampers accurate species identification. Here, 432 individual skate samples collected from four major ocean areas of the Atlantic were barcoded and taxonomically analysed. A BOLD project ELASMO ATL was implemented with the aim of establishing a new fully available and well curated barcode library containing both biological and molecular information. The evolutionary histories of the 38 skate taxa were estimated with two concatenated mitochondrial markers (COI and NADH2) through Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference. New evolutionary lineages within the genus Raja were discovered off Angola, where paleogeographic history coupled with oceanographic discontinuities could have contributed to the establishment of isolated refugia, playing a fundamental role among skates' speciation events. These data successfully resolved many taxonomic ambiguities, identified cryptic diversity within valid species and demonstrated a highly cohesive monophyletic clustering among the order, laying the background for further inference of evolutionary patterns suitable for addressing management and conservation issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Crobe
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (F.T.)
| | - Alice Ferrari
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Robert Hanner
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Robin W. Leslie
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Branch Fisheries Management, Cape Town 8018, South Africa;
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS), Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6139, South Africa
| | - Dirk Steinke
- Department of Integrative Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
| | - Fausto Tinti
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (F.T.)
| | - Alessia Cariani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 240126 Bologna, Italy; (A.F.); (A.C.)
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Mancusi C, Massi D, Baino R, Cariani A, Crobe V, Ebert DA, Ferrari A, Gordon CA, Hoff GR, Iglesias SP, Titone A, Serena F. An identification key for Chondrichthyes egg cases of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1862926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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