Phylogeography and genetic population structure of the spadenose shark (Scoliodon macrorhynchos) from the Chinese coast.

The population structure of Scoliodon macrorhynchos from the Chinese coast was investigated using the mitochondrial control region. All 19 mtDNA haplotypes from 219 sequences were identified. Relatively high average haplotype diversity (0.797) and relatively low average nucleotide diversity (0.0013) were found together with a recent and sudden population expansion. Analysis of the mismatch distributions, neutrality tests and Bayesian skyline plot showed a pattern consistent with a recent population expansion event that may have taken place during the last glacial maximum (LGM). The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed the low genetic differentiation between the populations, which may be a general feature of sharks living in coastal areas. The phylogenetic and cluster analysis of the mtDNA indicates that two putative groups (K = 2) existed in S. macrorhynchos, showing that the Taiwan Strait acted as a biogeographic barrier during major drops in the sea level in the late Pliocene epoch.