Cartilaginous fish(sharks,skates,rays,and chimaeras)are an important group of vertebrates facing the risk of regional extinction due to factors such as overfishing(Pacoureau et al.2021;Finucci et al.2024;Worm et al.20...Cartilaginous fish(sharks,skates,rays,and chimaeras)are an important group of vertebrates facing the risk of regional extinction due to factors such as overfishing(Pacoureau et al.2021;Finucci et al.2024;Worm et al.2024).However,knowledge of their reproduction and conservation remains limited.Understanding the genetic diversity,population structure,and reproductive behaviors of cartilaginous fish can offer valuable insights into their reproductive strategies and ecological adaptability,which are crucial for the conservation of these vulnerable species.Here,we present a chromosome-level draft genome as well as whole genome resequencing data of seven other individuals for the Kong skate(Okamejei kenojei),a species that has been reported to have a population decrease based on fisheries resource surveys(Deng&Jin 2001;Rigby et al.2021).Our analysis revealed lineage-specific genomic changes in O.kenojei,including the expansion of 69 gene families.We also assessed their genetic diversity,which showed a decline in population size over the past million years.Furthermore,we examined the egg-laying behavior of 24 adult female specimens and the incubation period of 35 embryos,indicating a low reproductive capacity.In conclusion,our findings suggest that the genetic diversity of the current wild population of O.kenojei is relatively healthy,but their reproductive output is low.Without proper management and protection,this could lead to irreversible impacts on the population,highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for this species.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFC3400300).
文摘Cartilaginous fish(sharks,skates,rays,and chimaeras)are an important group of vertebrates facing the risk of regional extinction due to factors such as overfishing(Pacoureau et al.2021;Finucci et al.2024;Worm et al.2024).However,knowledge of their reproduction and conservation remains limited.Understanding the genetic diversity,population structure,and reproductive behaviors of cartilaginous fish can offer valuable insights into their reproductive strategies and ecological adaptability,which are crucial for the conservation of these vulnerable species.Here,we present a chromosome-level draft genome as well as whole genome resequencing data of seven other individuals for the Kong skate(Okamejei kenojei),a species that has been reported to have a population decrease based on fisheries resource surveys(Deng&Jin 2001;Rigby et al.2021).Our analysis revealed lineage-specific genomic changes in O.kenojei,including the expansion of 69 gene families.We also assessed their genetic diversity,which showed a decline in population size over the past million years.Furthermore,we examined the egg-laying behavior of 24 adult female specimens and the incubation period of 35 embryos,indicating a low reproductive capacity.In conclusion,our findings suggest that the genetic diversity of the current wild population of O.kenojei is relatively healthy,but their reproductive output is low.Without proper management and protection,this could lead to irreversible impacts on the population,highlighting the importance of conservation efforts for this species.
