The contribution of genetics in the study of the sea-bob shrimp populations from the Brazilian coast

Abstract

Genetic studies can provide several important informations for sustainable fisheries management, mainly for the identification of different genetic stocks. In Brazil, genetic studies of the sea-bob shrimp, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, produced important new information on the systematics of the genus, demonstrating the presence of anonymous cryptic species and outlining their geographical distribution and the levels of genetic diversity and population structuring of Brazilian species. Allozymes and sequence polymorphisms of the mitochondrial COI gene have also been used to beget diagnosis systems for the correct species identification. Recently, geometric morphometrics emerged as a powerful methodology for identifying operational taxonomic units, confirming genetic data with great similarity of results, and representing a promising tool to assist the identification of fishery stocks. Geometric morphometrics analyses were used to characterize Xiphopenaeus samples from Brazil, showing significant differences among populations, confirming previous patterns revealed by molecular data. This study gathers the information produced so far about the molecular systematics, patterns of geographic distribution of the cryptic Xiphopenaeus species, genetic and morphometric characterizations of variability and delineation of population boundaries. It intends to determine distribution and structuring consensus patterns of the genetic variability, aiming to support management and conservation actions as well as to identify gaps of knowledge and direct future efforts in order to address them.