383
Grande do Norte). The analyses showed that the genetic diversity of E. itajara is
lower if compared with other already studied endangered species of this genus.
There was no structure among the sampling units, but a significant association
between genetic variability and geographic distribution for three of these populations (Ajuruteua, Parnaíba and Natal). Genetic diversity was higher in populations
from the Amazon region, what might be related to the vast preserved mangrove
habitats in this area.
This study focused on a small part of the species distribution in South Atlantic
Ocean. On the following year, information about Pacific Ocean and other spot in
Atlantic Ocean were published. Craig et al. (2009a, b) tested the hypothesis that
Pacific and West Atlantic populations of Atlantic Goliath Grouper constitute a single species by analyzing nuclear (S7 intron) and mitochondrial DNA sequence data
(cytochrome b and 16S rRNA gene). They found genetic differences for all markers
in the sampled populations: Panama, Belize, Florida and Brazil (Caravelas, in the
state of Bahia). These data indicated that Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the West
Atlantic is subdivided into discrete populations, and in the Pacific and Western
Atlantic it is represented by two or more distinct species. They resurrected the species Epinephelus quinquefasciatus (Bocourt 1868) for Pacific Goliath Grouper and
recommended that these distinct populations/species required separate management
and conservation strategies.
Despite the extensive distribution of Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the Brazilian
coast, genetic studies were still scarce and more effort was necessary to improve
genetic data from Southwestern stocks.
Benevides et al. (2014) evaluated the genetic diversity of the species and the
genetic/evolutionary relationships of its populations along the southwestern Atlantic
coast. Samples from 95 specimens of E. itajara were collected at ten sites in South
America, including French Guiana and Brazil. Eight ISSR primers were used and a
total of 92 polymorphic loci were obtained. The results indicated relatively reduced
genetic variation, re-emphasizing the low adaptive potential of the species.
Populations from Babitonga Bay (in the state of Santa Catarina) presented relatively
high degrees of genetic diversity and were evolutionary isolated from all other populations (north, northeast, and southeast Brazil, and French Guiana). The evidences
indicated the existence of two Evolutionarily Significant Units comprising E. itajara in the Southeast Atlantic Ocean and the authors suggested that conservation
prospects for the species took this evidence into account.
Damasceno et al. (2015), using 218 individuals from six locations in Brazilian
waters (Bragança, in the state of Pará; Tamandaré, in Pernambuco; Vaza Barris, in
Sergipe; Caravelas, in Bahia; Conceição da Barra, in Espírito Santo; and Babitonga,
in Santa Catarina) found haplotype diversity ranging from 0.40 to 0.86; and nucleotide diversity from 0.1 to 0.5% for mtDNA control region, which is moderate to
high genetic diversity for the species along the coast. Besides evidences of an incipient population structure in Brazilian coast (three to five populations) were found,
they recommended these findings to be used for the identification of priority areas
for conservation. Interesting to note that this study included unit areas surveyed by
14 The Atlantic Goliath Grouper: Conservation Strategies for a Critically Endangered…
Grande do Norte). The analyses showed that the genetic diversity of E. itajara is
lower if compared with other already studied endangered species of this genus.
There was no structure among the sampling units, but a significant association
between genetic variability and geographic distribution for three of these populations (Ajuruteua, Parnaíba and Natal). Genetic diversity was higher in populations
from the Amazon region, what might be related to the vast preserved mangrove
habitats in this area.
This study focused on a small part of the species distribution in South Atlantic
Ocean. On the following year, information about Pacific Ocean and other spot in
Atlantic Ocean were published. Craig et al. (2009a, b) tested the hypothesis that
Pacific and West Atlantic populations of Atlantic Goliath Grouper constitute a single species by analyzing nuclear (S7 intron) and mitochondrial DNA sequence data
(cytochrome b and 16S rRNA gene). They found genetic differences for all markers
in the sampled populations: Panama, Belize, Florida and Brazil (Caravelas, in the
state of Bahia). These data indicated that Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the West
Atlantic is subdivided into discrete populations, and in the Pacific and Western
Atlantic it is represented by two or more distinct species. They resurrected the species Epinephelus quinquefasciatus (Bocourt 1868) for Pacific Goliath Grouper and
recommended that these distinct populations/species required separate management
and conservation strategies.
Despite the extensive distribution of Atlantic Goliath Grouper in the Brazilian
coast, genetic studies were still scarce and more effort was necessary to improve
genetic data from Southwestern stocks.
Benevides et al. (2014) evaluated the genetic diversity of the species and the
genetic/evolutionary relationships of its populations along the southwestern Atlantic
coast. Samples from 95 specimens of E. itajara were collected at ten sites in South
America, including French Guiana and Brazil. Eight ISSR primers were used and a
total of 92 polymorphic loci were obtained. The results indicated relatively reduced
genetic variation, re-emphasizing the low adaptive potential of the species.
Populations from Babitonga Bay (in the state of Santa Catarina) presented relatively
high degrees of genetic diversity and were evolutionary isolated from all other populations (north, northeast, and southeast Brazil, and French Guiana). The evidences
indicated the existence of two Evolutionarily Significant Units comprising E. itajara in the Southeast Atlantic Ocean and the authors suggested that conservation
prospects for the species took this evidence into account.
Damasceno et al. (2015), using 218 individuals from six locations in Brazilian
waters (Bragança, in the state of Pará; Tamandaré, in Pernambuco; Vaza Barris, in
Sergipe; Caravelas, in Bahia; Conceição da Barra, in Espírito Santo; and Babitonga,
in Santa Catarina) found haplotype diversity ranging from 0.40 to 0.86; and nucleotide diversity from 0.1 to 0.5% for mtDNA control region, which is moderate to
high genetic diversity for the species along the coast. Besides evidences of an incipient population structure in Brazilian coast (three to five populations) were found,
they recommended these findings to be used for the identification of priority areas
for conservation. Interesting to note that this study included unit areas surveyed by
14 The Atlantic Goliath Grouper: Conservation Strategies for a Critically Endangered…