A Fragile Stronghold: Genomics Reveal Angelshark Population Vulnerability in Corsica, a Key Mediterranean Refuge.

ABSTRACT: Once common in Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean coastal waters, the angelshark (Squatina squatina) has disappeared from 90% of its historical geographic range over the last century. Populations have drastically declined, likely due to the combined effects of overfishing, coastal habitat destruction, and the species' slow life history traits. The island of Corsica remains one of the last Mediterranean refuges for this IUCN Critically Endangered species, underscoring the need for conservation action. Given the difficulty of observing this benthic shark, we employed genomic methods to investigate the fine-scale spatial genetic structure, genetic diversity, and effective population size. Skin samples were opportunistically collected from accidental bycatch of angelsharks by local fish

SUBMITTER: Faure N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516160 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature