Distinct management units for the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) revealed in the Canary Islands

Abstract

The angelshark, Squatina squatina, is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and remaining populations are highly fragmented throughout its historical distribution range. The Canary Islands archipelago in the North East Atlantic has been identified as a uniquely large stronghold for the species. In the present study, we compared the population genetic structure of S. squatina across different islands of the Canary Island archipelago using both microsatellite and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Both markers revealed significant differentiation of angelsharks between islands in the archipelago, with three main genetic units at: (1) Tenerife, (2) Gran Canaria and (3) a third one that included La Graciosa, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Our results imply a connectivity barrier between some adjacent islands, most likely driven by abyssal depths, and varying geological history and oceanographic patterns. Therefore, we suggest that in the Canary Islands, S. squatina populations should be managed locally, with conservation and research priorities designed and implemented specifically for each of the three genetic units.