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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Evidence of Fine‐Scale Genetic Structure in Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) Highlights the Importance of Stratified Sampling Regimes
Evolutionary applications, Vol.18(6), pp.1-12
08/06/2025
PMCID: PMC12146213
PMID: 40495934
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Abstract
Understanding the biological connections between populations is essential to wildlife management and conservation. Genetic studies play a central role in characterizing these connections, but typically require stratified sampling regimes to assess the spatial extent and strength of gene flow, and the relative influences of sex and ontogeny on patterns of connectivity. Yet, this can be challenging in some study systems, particularly in large marine species such as sharks, where genetic studies often rely on opportunistic and/or sampling conducted over large spatial scales. We demonstrate the importance of stratified sampling to identify previously undetected genetic structure in tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) off eastern Australia, where panmixia has been previously reported. We performed population genomic analyses on 414 tiger sharks, representing males and females and both juvenile-subadult and adult-life stages, and 21 locations spanning approximately 3000 km of eastern Australia and the Indo-Pacific region. Similar to previous studies, we demonstrate a lack of overall genetic structure across the sampling area; however, our analysis shows evidence of spatial autocorrelation and local genetic structuring in juvenile-subadult female tiger sharks. These results point to potential influences of sex and ontogeny on patterns of population genetic structure and connectivity in Australian tiger sharks. We discuss these findings in the context of essential habitats supporting tiger shark populations and risks of overstating the strength of biological connections among shark populations in the absence of appropriate sampling regimes.
Details
- Title
- Evidence of Fine‐Scale Genetic Structure in Tiger Sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) Highlights the Importance of Stratified Sampling Regimes
- Creators
- Jessica J. Fish - Deakin UniversityChristine Dudgeon - University of the Sunshine CoastAdam Barnett - Biopixel Oceans Foundation James Cook UniversityPaul A. Butcher - Deakin UniversityBonnie J. Holmes - University of the Sunshine CoastCharlie Huveneers - Flinders UniversityLauren Meyer - Flinders UniversityLaurent Vigliola - ENTROPIE, SANTECO, Institut de Recherche Pour le DéveloppementCraig D. H. Sherman - Deakin UniversityAdam D. Miller - Flinders University
- Publication Details
- Evolutionary applications, Vol.18(6), pp.1-12
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons Inc
- Grant note
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Identifiers
- 991013288848902368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s). Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article