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Resolving the ambiguities in the identification of two smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus) using genetics and morphology

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Abstract

Elasmobranch species are among the most threatened marine fish, and sound biological data for many of them are lacking. In this context, the smooth-hounds (Mustelus spp., Triakidae, Carcharhiniformes) represent an intriguing genus, being characterized by unclear and sometimes contrasting diagnostic traits. Here, we present new insights into the identification of two closely related species, M. mustelus and M. punctulatus. The use of three different molecular markers on a dataset of 588 specimens highlighted a genetic distinction between the two species. However, whereas microsatellites provided unambiguous results in all the samples, the other two markers were not able to assign a fraction of the individuals (6.6% for cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, 14.4% for Internal Transcribed Spacer 2), suggesting the occurrence of heteroplasmy and introgression due to past hybridisation events. The comparison between morphological traits, previously suggested as diagnostic for species identification, and genetic identification, enabled validation of the most reliable and practical morphological traits for species identification. The shape of the dermal denticles represents the most reliable trait, but its use during fieldwork may be impractical. The black spots on body sides were present almost exclusively in M. punctulatus, allowing its identification; however, their absence is not diagnostic for M. mustelus. The distance of the nostrils and the shape of the mouth are useful to distinguish the two species during fieldwork. Our results will allow an accurate identification of the two species leading to the collection of reliable data on their distribution, life history traits, exploitation and status of conservation.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to E. Riginella, V. Correale, A. Vrbatović, G. Giusto, P. Rizzo, S. Gangitano, and G. Sinacori for sample collection in Chioggia and Mazara del Vallo. We also thank Fausto Tinti and Alessia Cariani for their useful inputs and scientific support, and R. Castilho and an anonymous referee for their suggestions.

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Author notes

  1. Marino and Finotto have contributed equally

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131, Padova, Italy

    I. A. M. Marino, L. Finotto, L. Zane & C. Mazzoldi

  2. IAMC-CNR, Via Luigi Vaccara 61, 91026, Mazara del Vallo, TP, Italy

    F. Colloca, M. Di Lorenzo & M. Gristina

  3. School of Biology & Environmental Science, Science Centre West, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    E. D. Farrell

  4. Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy

    L. Zane & C. Mazzoldi

Authors
  1. I. A. M. Marino
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  2. L. Finotto
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  4. M. Di Lorenzo
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  6. E. D. Farrell
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  7. L. Zane
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  8. C. Mazzoldi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Zane.

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Funding

This project was financially supported by the CLODIA project, funded by the Veneto Region (Italy) Law 15/2007 (DGR n. 4069), and by the Athenaeum Projects CPDA110183 and CPDA148387, funded by the University of Padova. Samples in Mazara del Vallo were collected in the frame of the Italian Flagship programme Ritmare and the EU Data Collection Framework (EU-DCF) carried out in the FAO-GFCM Geographical Sub-Area 16 (South of Sicily).

IAMM was supported by a University of Padova post-doc grant (CPDR123580), and LF by the project “Inventario della biodiversità marina siciliana e sviluppo di tecniche di monitoraggio utili alla gestione di specie ed habitat protetti.” (PO FESR 20072013, linea di intervento 3.2.1.2) from Sicily Region (Italy).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All the analyses were carried out on dead specimens caught during normal fishing activity and, therefore, no approval from the local ethics committee was necessary.

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Communicated by R. Thiel

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Marino, I.A.M., Finotto, L., Colloca, F. et al. Resolving the ambiguities in the identification of two smooth-hound sharks (Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus) using genetics and morphology. Mar Biodiv 48, 1551–1562 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-017-0701-8

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