Observations of coastal aggregations of the broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) in Chilean waters.

The presence of four sharks was documented in coastal waters of Antofagasta (Chile) using an unmanned aerial video camera. Fishers took advantage of this aggregation to catch and sold three adult broadnose sevengill sharks Notorynchus cepedianus. Species identity was determined by using the cox1 gene. One additional video was later recorded 3000 km south of Antofagasta, and shows a large female interacting with a salmon farming facility. Shallow water records of N. cepedianus were previously undocumented in Chilean waters, yet historically have provided an opportunistic event to fishers in Chile.

Towards sustainable fishery management for skates in South America: The genetic population structure of Zearaja chilensis and Dipturus trachyderma (Chondrichthyes, Rajiformes) in the south-east Pacific Ocean.

The longnose skates (Zearaja chilensis and Dipturus trachyderma) are the main component of the elasmobranch fisheries in the south-east Pacific Ocean. Both species are considered to be a single stock by the fishery management in Chile however, little is known about the level of demographic connectivity within the fishery. In this study, we used a genetic variation (560 bp of the control region of the mitochondrial genome and ten microsatellite loci) to explore population connectivity at five locations along the Chilean coast. Analysis of Z. chilensis populations revealed significant genetic structure among off-shore locations (San Antonio, Valdivia), two locations in the Chiloé Interior Sea (Puerto Montt and Aysén) and Punta Arenas in southern Chile. For example, mtDNA haplotype diversity was similar across off-shore locations and Punta Arenas (h = 0.46-0.50), it was significantly different to those in the Chiloé Interior Sea (h = 0.08). These results raise concerns about the long-term survival of the species within the interior sea, as population resilience will rely almost exclusively on self-recruitment. In contrast, little evidence of genetic structure was found for D. trachyderma. Our results provide evidence for three management units for Z. chilensis, and we recommend that separate management arrangements are required for each of these units. However, there is no evidence to discriminate the extant population of Dipturus trachyderma as separate management units. The lack of genetic population subdivision for D. trachyderma appears to correspond with their higher dispersal ability and more offshore habitat preference.

The complete validated mitochondrial genome of the yellownose skate Zearaja chilensis (Guichenot 1848) (Rajiformes, Rajidae).

The yellownose skate Zearaja chilensis is endemic to South America. The species is the target of a valuable commercial fishery in Chile, but is highly susceptible to over-exploitation. The complete mitochondrial genome was described from 694,593 sequences obtained using Ion Torrent Next Generation Sequencing. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,909 bp, comprising 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 non-coding regions. Comparison between the proposed mitogenome and one previously described from "raw fish fillets from a skate speciality restaurant in Seoul, Korea" resulted in 97.4% similarity, rather than approaching 100% similarity as might be expected. The 2.6% dissimilarity may indicate the presence of two separate stocks or two different species of, ostensibly, Z. chilensis in South America and highlights the need for caution when using genetic resources without a taxonomic reference or a voucher specimen.

The phylogenomic position of the grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus Rafinesque, 1810 (Lamniformes, Odontaspididae) inferred from the mitochondrial genome.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the grey nurse shark Carcharias taurus is described from 25 963 828 sequences obtained using Illumina NGS technology. Total length of the mitogenome is 16 715 bp, consisting of 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding regions, 22 tRNA and 2 non-coding regions thus updating the previously published mitogenome for this species. The phylogenomic reconstruction inferred from the mitogenome of 15 species of Lamniform and Carcharhiniform sharks supports the inclusion of C. taurus in a clade with the Lamnidae and Cetorhinidae. This complete mitogenome contributes to ongoing investigation into the monophyly of the Family Odontaspididae.

The phylogenetic position of the giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Myliobatiformes, Myliobatidae) inferred from the mitochondrial genome.

The giant devil ray, Mobula mobular, is a member of one of the most distinct groups of cartilaginous fishes, the Mobulidae (manta and devil rays), and is the only mobulid assessed as Endangered due its restricted distribution, high bycatch mortality and suspected population decline. The complete mitochondrial genome is 18 913 base pairs in length and comprises 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 non-coding regions. Comparison with the partial mitogenome of M. japanica suggests a sister-cryptic species complex and two different taxonomic units. However, the limited divergence within the species (>99.9% genetic identity) may be the result of a geographically and numerically restricted population of M. mobular within the Mediterranean Sea.

The phylogenetic position of the roughskin skate Dipturus trachyderma (Krefft & Stehmann, 1975) (Rajiformes, Rajidae) inferred from the mitochondrial genome.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the roughskin skate Dipturus trachyderma is described from 1 455 724 sequences obtained using Illumina NGS technology. Total length of the mitogenome was 16 909 base pairs, comprising 2 rRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and 2 non-coding regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on mtDNA revealed low genetic divergence among longnose skates, in particular, those dwelling the continental shelf and slope off the coasts of Chile and Argentina.

A review of longnose skates Zearaja chilensis and Dipturus trachyderma (Rajiformes: Rajidae) / Una revisión sobre las rayas de hocico largo Zearaja chilensis y Dipturus trachyderma (Rajiformes: Rajidae) / Urna revisão das raías longnose Zearaja chilensis e Dipturus trachyderma (Rajiformes: Rajidae)

Longnose skates may have a high intrinsic vulnerability among fishes due to their large body size, slow growth rates and relatively low fecundity, and their exploitation as fisheries target-species places their populations under considerable pressure. These skates are found circumglobally in subtropical and temperate coastal waters. Although longnose skates have been recorded for over 150 years in South America, the ability to assess the status of these species is still compromised by critical knowledge gaps. Based on a review of 185 publications, a comparative synthesis of the biology and ecology was conducted on two commercially important elasmobranchs in South American waters, the yellownose skate Zearaja chilensis and the roughskin skate Dipturus trachyderma, in order to examine and compare their taxonomy, distribution, fisheries, feeding habitats, reproduction, growth and longevity. There has been a marked increase in the number of published studies for both species since 2000, and especially after 2005, although some research topics remain poorly understood. Considering the external morphological similarities of longnose skates, especially when juvenile, and the potential niche overlap in both, depth and latitude it is recommended that reproductive seasonality, connectivity and population structure be assessed to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Las rayas de nariz larga tienen una alta vulnerabilidad intrínseca entre los peces, debido a su gran tamaño corporal, bajas tasas de crecimiento y relativamente baja fecundidad; por otra parte, el hecho de ser blanco de explotación pesquera coloca a su población bajo una presión considerable. Las rayas de nariz larga se encuentran alrededor del mundo en aguas costeras subtropicales y templadas. Aunque se han registrado a lo largo de 150 años en Suramérica, los críticos vacíos de información que aún persisten comprometen la capacidad de determinar el estatus de estas especies. Con base en una revisión de 185 publicaciones, se realizó una síntesis comparativa de la biología y ecología de dos de las especies de elasmobranquios comerciales de aguas suramericanas: la raya volantín (Zearaja chilensis) y la raya espinosa (Dipturus trachyderma). Se examinaron y compararon su taxonomía, distribución, hábitos alimenticios, reproducción, crecimiento, longevidad y explotación pesquera. El número de estudios publicados sobre ambas especies se ha incrementado considerablemente desde 2000 y especialmente después de 2005, aunque algunos tópicos de investigación permanecen poco entendidos. Considerando la similitud morfológica externa de las rayas de nariz larga, especialmente en sus estadios juveniles, y que su nicho potencial se superpone tanto en profundidad como en latitud, se recomienda determinar su estacionalidad reproductiva, con el fin de asegurar su sostenibilidad en el largo plazo.

Raias longnose podem ter uma elevada vulnerabilidade intrínseca entre os peixes, devido ao seu grande tamanho de corpo, taxas lentas de crescimento e fecundidade relativamente baixa, e sua exploraclo como especies alvo de pesca coloca suas populacóes sob considerável pressao. Sao encontradas ao redor do mundo em águas costeiras subtropicais e temperadas. Embora raias longnose hajam sido registradas por mais de 150 anos na América do Sul, a capacidade de avaliar o status dessas espécies ainda é comprometida por lacunas críticas de conhecimento. Com base em uma revisao de 185 publicacóes, uma síntese comparativa da biologia e ecologia foi realizada uma síntese comparativa da biología e ecología de duas espécies de elasmobranquios comerciais de águas sul-americanas, a raia nariz-amarelo (Zearaja chilensis) e a raia pele-áspera (Dipturus trachyderma); com vistas a analisar e comparar a sua taxonomía, distribuicao, pescas, habitats de alimentacao, reprodujo, crescimento e longevidade. Houve um aumento acentuado no número de estudos publicados para ambas as espécies desde 2000, e especialmente depois de 2005, embora alguns tópicos de investiga^ão permanecam pouco compreendidos. Considerando as similaridades morfológicas externas das raias longnose, especialmente quando jovens, e a potencial sobreposição de nichos ocupados tanto em relaclo a profundidade quanto a latitude, recomenda-se que a sazonalidade reprodutiva, seja avaliada para assegurar a sua sustentabilidade em longo prazo.

Biogeographic patterns in the cartilaginous fauna (Pisces: Elasmobranchii and Holocephali) in the southeast Pacific Ocean.

The abundance and species richness of the cartilaginous fish community of the continental shelf and slope off central Chile is described, based on fishery-independent trawl tows made in 2006 and 2007. A total of 194,705 specimens comprising 20 species (9 sharks, 10 skates, 1 chimaera) were caught at depths of 100-500 m along a 1,000 km transect between 29.5°S and 39°S. Sample site locations were grouped to represent eight geographical zones within this latitudinal range. Species richness fluctuated from 1 to 6 species per zone. There was no significant latitudinal trend for sharks, but skates showed an increased species richness with latitude. Standardised catch per unit effort (CPUE) increased with increasing depth for sharks, but not for skates, but the observed trend for increasing CPUE with latitude was not significant for either sharks or skates. A change in community composition occurred along the depth gradient with the skates, Psammobatis rudis, Zearaja chilensis and Dipturus trachyderma dominating communities between 100 and 300 m, but small-sized, deep-water dogfishes, such as Centroscyllium spp. dominated the catch between 300 and 500 m. Cluster and ordination analysis identified one widespread assemblage, grouping 58% of sites, and three shallow-water assemblages. Assemblages with low diversity (coldspots) coincided with highly productive fishing grounds for demersal crustaceans and bony fishes. The community distribution suggested that the differences between assemblages may be due to compensatory changes in mesopredator species abundance, as a consequence of continuous and unselective species removal. Distribution patterns and the quantitative assessment of sharks, skates and chimaeras presented here complement extant biogeographic knowledge and further the understanding of deep-water ecosystem dynamics in relation to fishing activity in the south-east Pacific Ocean.