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Abstract:
Chondrichthyans, i.e., sharks, rays and chimaeras, are the members of one of the oldest taxonomic groups of vertebrates. Though many species still lack proper investigation, sharks and rays (elasmobranchs) are a vulnerable taxon due to intensifying fishing pressure and habitat loss. From an evolutionary point of view, sharks constitute exceptional targets of research, from their various modes of reproduction and their complex life histories to their comparatively stable genomes where mutation rates are slow compared to mammals. This work conducts an investigation of Prdm9 putative orthologs in sharks, rays and chimaeras, and also an analysis of two population genetic markers: the mtDNA D-loop control region and 14 microsatellite loci which have been established for the target species. Examining Prdm9 in chondrichthyans will contribute to a better insight into their evolution and which mechanisms drive recombination in one of the world’s oldest vertebrate taxa, and add up to recent research targeting the rapidly-evolving gene Prdm9.
