Levels of genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Epinephelus species in United Arab Emirates fish markets

Remi N. Ketchum; Mame M. Dieng; Grace O. Vaughan; John A. Burt; Youssef Idaghdour

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.042

Levels of genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Epinephelus species in United Arab Emirates fish markets

Remi N. Ketchum, Mame M. Dieng, Grace O. Vaughan, John A. Burt, Youssef Idaghdour

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Understanding the patterns of genetic diversity of fish species is essential for marine conservation and management. This is particularly important in the Arabian Gulf where marine life is subject to extreme environmental conditions that could impact genetic diversity. Here we assess genetic diversity of the most commercially important fish in the United Arab Emirates; groupers (Epinephelus spp.). Sequencing of 973 bp mitochondrial DNA from 140 tissue samples collected in four main fish markets revealed 58 haplotypes clustered within three groups. Data analysis revealed the presence of three distinct Epinephelus species being marketed as one species (hammour): Epinephelus coioides, Epinephelus areolatus and Epinephelus bleekeri. We report species-specific genetic markers and demonstrate that all three species exhibit relatively low levels of genetic variation, reflecting the effect of overfishing and environmental pressures. In light of the genetic evidence presented here, conservation and management of groupers in the UAE warrant the implementation of species-specific measures.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	540-545
Number of pages	6
Journal	Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume	105
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.042
State	Published - Apr 30 2016

Keywords

12s rRNA gene
Control region
D-loop
Hammour
Overfishing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oceanography
Aquatic Science
Pollution

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10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.11.042

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title = "Levels of genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Epinephelus species in United Arab Emirates fish markets",

abstract = "Understanding the patterns of genetic diversity of fish species is essential for marine conservation and management. This is particularly important in the Arabian Gulf where marine life is subject to extreme environmental conditions that could impact genetic diversity. Here we assess genetic diversity of the most commercially important fish in the United Arab Emirates; groupers (Epinephelus spp.). Sequencing of 973 bp mitochondrial DNA from 140 tissue samples collected in four main fish markets revealed 58 haplotypes clustered within three groups. Data analysis revealed the presence of three distinct Epinephelus species being marketed as one species (hammour): Epinephelus coioides, Epinephelus areolatus and Epinephelus bleekeri. We report species-specific genetic markers and demonstrate that all three species exhibit relatively low levels of genetic variation, reflecting the effect of overfishing and environmental pressures. In light of the genetic evidence presented here, conservation and management of groupers in the UAE warrant the implementation of species-specific measures.",

keywords = "12s rRNA gene, Control region, D-loop, Hammour, Overfishing",

author = "Ketchum, {Remi N.} and Dieng, {Mame M.} and Vaughan, {Grace O.} and Burt, {John A.} and Youssef Idaghdour",

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AU - Ketchum, Remi N.

AU - Dieng, Mame M.

AU - Vaughan, Grace O.

AU - Burt, John A.

AU - Idaghdour, Youssef

PY - 2016/4/30

Y1 - 2016/4/30

N2 - Understanding the patterns of genetic diversity of fish species is essential for marine conservation and management. This is particularly important in the Arabian Gulf where marine life is subject to extreme environmental conditions that could impact genetic diversity. Here we assess genetic diversity of the most commercially important fish in the United Arab Emirates; groupers (Epinephelus spp.). Sequencing of 973 bp mitochondrial DNA from 140 tissue samples collected in four main fish markets revealed 58 haplotypes clustered within three groups. Data analysis revealed the presence of three distinct Epinephelus species being marketed as one species (hammour): Epinephelus coioides, Epinephelus areolatus and Epinephelus bleekeri. We report species-specific genetic markers and demonstrate that all three species exhibit relatively low levels of genetic variation, reflecting the effect of overfishing and environmental pressures. In light of the genetic evidence presented here, conservation and management of groupers in the UAE warrant the implementation of species-specific measures.

AB - Understanding the patterns of genetic diversity of fish species is essential for marine conservation and management. This is particularly important in the Arabian Gulf where marine life is subject to extreme environmental conditions that could impact genetic diversity. Here we assess genetic diversity of the most commercially important fish in the United Arab Emirates; groupers (Epinephelus spp.). Sequencing of 973 bp mitochondrial DNA from 140 tissue samples collected in four main fish markets revealed 58 haplotypes clustered within three groups. Data analysis revealed the presence of three distinct Epinephelus species being marketed as one species (hammour): Epinephelus coioides, Epinephelus areolatus and Epinephelus bleekeri. We report species-specific genetic markers and demonstrate that all three species exhibit relatively low levels of genetic variation, reflecting the effect of overfishing and environmental pressures. In light of the genetic evidence presented here, conservation and management of groupers in the UAE warrant the implementation of species-specific measures.

KW - 12s rRNA gene

KW - Control region

KW - D-loop

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KW - Overfishing

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Levels of genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Epinephelus species in United Arab Emirates fish markets

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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