A genomics assessment of the status of the critically endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) in its last geographic stronghold.
Location
OC Auditorium
Start
4-3-2026 2:20 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral Presentation
Abstract
The angelshark, Squatina squatina, has its last stronghold of abundance around the Canary Islands (CI). Although now protected, long-term resilience of this species relies on its adaptability to future environmental changes. I used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess the genetic status of CI angelsharks. The SNPs revealed the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote each harbor a genetically distinct subpopulation. Genomic heterozygosity in CI angelsharks was the lowest of all assessed Critically Endangered shark species, suggesting low future adaptive potential. However, inbreeding levels were also low across all subpopulations (mean F = 0.0104), implying inbreeding depression is not the cause of the low genetic diversity. Effective population size (Ne) estimates at each island were >100, indicating resilience to future genetic diversity loss over the next five generations. Despite their notably low current genetic diversity, future diversity loss in CI angelsharks may be preventable with enhanced conservation efforts.
A genomics assessment of the status of the critically endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) in its last geographic stronghold.
OC Auditorium
The angelshark, Squatina squatina, has its last stronghold of abundance around the Canary Islands (CI). Although now protected, long-term resilience of this species relies on its adaptability to future environmental changes. I used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess the genetic status of CI angelsharks. The SNPs revealed the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote each harbor a genetically distinct subpopulation. Genomic heterozygosity in CI angelsharks was the lowest of all assessed Critically Endangered shark species, suggesting low future adaptive potential. However, inbreeding levels were also low across all subpopulations (mean F = 0.0104), implying inbreeding depression is not the cause of the low genetic diversity. Effective population size (Ne) estimates at each island were >100, indicating resilience to future genetic diversity loss over the next five generations. Despite their notably low current genetic diversity, future diversity loss in CI angelsharks may be preventable with enhanced conservation efforts.