Franqui-Rivera, Glorimar
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Publication Using DNA barcoding to describe the diversity of sharks in Puerto Rico(2020-11-04) Franqui-Rivera, Glorimar; Schizas, Nikolaos V.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Armstrong, Roy A.; Harms-Tuohy, Chelsea; Department of Marine Sciences; Cruzado-Vélez, IvetteWorldwide shark populations have been drastically decreasing due to illegal fishing. In healthy marine ecosystems, sharks are considered apex predators and their removal (e.g., overfishing) has caused a negative impact on the food web within these ecosystems, paving the way for an increase in mesopredators. Within coral reef ecosystems, this ecological shift results in a reduction of herbivorous fish as fishers continue to fish down the food chain and a subsequent increase in macroalgae cover once the herbivorous fish are removed. In Puerto Rico, there exists no recent information on overall shark diversity, distribution, ecology, location, and use of nurseries, landings data, and frequency of consumption. Thus, it is of utmost importance to increase our knowledge and understanding of these apex predators specifically as it relates to Puerto Rico to protect, manage, and conserve these species. The main objective of this thesis project was to document the diversity of sharks through a collaborative relationship between scientists and fishers in Puerto Rico. Shark meat tissue samples were collected directly from local fishers and markets (June 2017 – July 2019) from several municipalities around the island. DNA was extracted from the meat samples and was used to identify shark species. Our molecular results revealed that there are 21 species of sharks that are caught representing shallow-water, coastal, and deep-water habitats of Puerto Rico. Our molecular data confirm the presence of species listed in the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable (Alopias superciliosus, Carcharhinus falciformis), and Endangered (Isurus paucus, Sphyrna lewini, and Sphyrna mokarran) and also indicated the presence of a locally protected species (Ginglymostoma cirratum). We successfully demonstrated that DNA barcoding provides an accurate method to identify sharks from uncooked fillets and tissue samples intended for consumption.