Evidence for gene flow from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo).

ABSTRACT: Gene flow is important for maintaining the genetic diversity required for adaptation to environmental disturbances, though gene flow may be limited by site fidelity in small coastal sharks. Bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo)-a small coastal hammerhead species-demonstrate site fidelity, as females are philopatric while males migrate to mediate gene flow. Consequently, bonnetheads demonstrate population divergence with distance, and Atlantic populations are genetically distinct from those of the Gulf of Mexico. Indeed, Florida forms a vicariant zone between these two bodies of water for many marine species, including some sharks. However, while bonnetheads are expected to have limited dispersal, the extent and rate of bonnethead migration remain uncertain. Thus, we aimed to determine

SUBMITTER: Black KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11417010 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature