Author Contributions: SJ contributed to concept, sampling, sequencing, Bioinformatics and wrote the manuscript, JS contributed to sampling, DNA extractions and sequencing, MMora, IL, AG and AB contributed to PCR and BOLD sequence alignments, ED contributed to concept and editing of the manuscript, SF did the phylogenetic analyses, AT contributed to molecular analyses, and community networks, to understand fisheries practices and for sampling logistics, AC and RE assisted with bioinformatics including basecalling and assembly, MMorris and MD assisted with sequence analyses.
Competing Interests Statement:Authors declare no conflict of interest.
Abstract:The Sharpnose Guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus) is one of fifteen critically endangered Rhino Rays which has been exploited as incidental catch, leading to severe population depletions and localized disappearances. Like many chondrichthyan species, there are no species-specific time-series data available for the Sharpnose Guitarfish that can be used to calculate population reduction, partly due to a lack of species-specific reporting as well as limitations in accurate taxonomic identification. We here present the first complete mitochondrial genome and partial nuclear genome of the species and the first detail phylogenetic assessment of the species. We expect that data presented in the current manuscript will aid in accurate species-specific landing and population assessments of the species in the future and will enable conservation efforts to protect and recover remaining populations.
To control community transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the 2020 global pandemic, most countries implemented strategies based on direct human testing, face covering, and surface disinfection.Under the assumption that the main route of transmission includes aerosols and respiratory droplets, efforts to detect SARS-CoV-2 in fomites have focused on locations suspected of high prevalence (e.g., hospital wards, cruise ships, and mass transportation systems). To investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in the urban environment that are rarely cleaned and seldomly disinfected, 350 citizens were enlisted from the greater San Diego County. In total, these citizen scientists collected 4,080 samples. An online platform was developed to monitor sampling kit delivery and pickup, as well as to collect sample data. The sampling kits were mostly built from supplies available in pandemic-stressed stores. Samples were processed using reagents that were easy to access despite the recurrent supply shortage. The methods used were highly sensitive and resistant to inhibitors that are commonly present in environmental samples. The proposed experimental design and processing methods were successful at engaging numerous citizen scientists who effectively gathered samples from diverse surface areas. The workflow and methods described here are relevant to survey the urban environment for other viruses, which are of public health concern and pose a threat for future pandemics.
Chondrichthyes, an ancient and diverse class of vertebrates, are crucial to the health of marine ecosystems. Excessive demand for chondrichthyan products has increased fishing pressure, threatening ∼30% of species with extinction in recent decades. India is the second-largest shark landing nation globally and the province of Gujarat, is the largest contributor to its shark exports. Despite their significant contribution to global fish supplies, chondrichthyan fisheries in Gujarat remain understudied and many species, data deficient, posing challenges to the conservation of remaining populations in the region. Here, we report results from taxonomic assessment of elasmobranchs at four key landing sites in Gujarat. We identified thirty-one species of sharks and rays with a significant bias toward capture of females and juveniles by fisheries. Our data indicate the presence of nursery areas for species such as Sphyrna lewini and Rhynchobatus laevis in the neritic areas off Gujarat. Further, we discovered extensions of the current distribution range for three species -Torpedo sinuspersici, Carcharhinus sorrah, and Rhinobatos punctifer. Taxonomic identities for a subset of species were confirmed using genomic analyses conducted with portable DNA sequencing tools. We present assessments for six data deficient species in the region – Rhinobatos annandalei, Rhinoptera jayakari, Maculabatis bineeshi, Pateobatis bleekeri, T. sinuspersici, and Carcharhinus amboinensis. Our investigation underscores species with urgent conservation needs and reduces data deficiencies. These data will inform and pivot future scientific and conservation efforts to protect remaining populations of some of the most vulnerable Chondrichthyes in the Arabian Seas Region.
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