Autor: |
Ferrari, A., Di Crescenzo, S., Cariani, A., Crobe, V., Benvenuto, A., Piattoni, F., Mancusi, C., Bonnici, L., Bonello, J. J., Schembri, P. J., Serena, F., Massi, D., Titone, A., Tinti, F. |
Zdroj: |
The European Zoological Journal; January 2021, Vol. 88 Issue: 1 p181-190, 10p |
Abstrakt: |
AbstractThe actual occurrence of Squalus megalopsin the Mediterranean Sea has recently been questioned. Several research works which sought to assess available morphological and meristic features that differentiate S. megalopsfrom other Squalusspecies in the Mediterranean Sea, revealed poor discriminatory power and high variability of the assessed characters, especially when comparing S. megalopsand S. blainville. The application of molecular tools does not support the presence of S. megalops. In the present study, we screened spurdog species from the Strait of Sicily using a molecular taxonomy approach based on two mitochondrial DNA markers and we report the occurrence of two Squaluslineages characterizing specimens collected from the stretch of sea between Tunisia, southern Sicily, Malta and Libya. The results support the hypothesis that a common species, S. blainville, currently inhabits the Mediterranean Sea, while a second and rare species is probably an occasional visitor with high morphological similarity to the S. megalopsand S. blainvillebut is genetically distinct from both. Within this perspective, the occurrence of S. megalopsin the Mediterranean Sea is not confirmed and our study highlights the taxonomic uncertainties in relation to the occurrence and distribution of Squalusspecies in this region. We encourage the establishment of a coordinated international effort to implement a comprehensive and integrated taxonomic assessment on this genus which represents an irreplaceable component of the biodiversity of the area. |
Databáze: |
Supplemental Index |
Externí odkaz: |
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