Hybridization and Introgression in Black Hakes (Merluccius polli and M. senegalensis): Evolutionary Dynamics and Conservation Implications in the Contact Zone Exploited by Multi-Species Fisheries.

ABSTRACT: Hybridization is relatively common between closely related species that share part of their distribution. Understanding its dynamics is important both for conservation purposes and to determine its role as an evolutionary mechanism. Here we have studied the case of black hakes (Merluccius polli and Merluccius senegalensis) in its contact zone. The area of study is located in the FAO fishing area 34, in Mauritania and Senegal waters, where both species are exploited jointly in multi-species fisheries involving national and foreign fleets. Using a ddRADSeq approach and based on a set of 5820 SNPs and a total of 240 individuals, we identified one F₁ hybrid and several backcrossed individuals among 90 M. polli samples and none in 90 M. senegalensis samples obtained in 2020, suggesti

SUBMITTER: Blanco-Fernandez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11789550 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature