Data from: Population structure and seasonal migration of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari

Few studies have reported on the fine-scale population genetics of batoid species in the Atlantic basin. Here, we investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari, sampled in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the Gulf of Mexico and in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Samples were collected from 286 individuals sampled across 3 geographic localities. Estimates of divergence based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 10 nuclear microsatellite loci reveal weak but significant genetic structure among A. narinari populations in this region. Analysis of molecular variance estimates based on both marker types indicate significant differentiation between Florida and Mexico populations, while comparisons with Cuba suggest high levels of gene flow with rays from both Mexico and Florida. Conflicting results were found from the different marker types when sexes were analyzed separately underscoring the importance of applying multiple marker types when making inferences about population structure and sex-biased dispersal. Results from Bayesian clustering analyses suggest rays may be migrating south out of the Gulf of Mexico and into the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Given the impacts of fisheries on this species, coupled with the lack of population genetic data available, these findings offer valuable information to aid with conservation management strategies.

目前针对大西洋流域鳐形总目（batoid）物种的精细尺度种群遗传学研究鲜有报道。本研究以花点鹰鳐（Aetobatus narinari）为研究对象，对采自墨西哥湾东北部、西南部及加勒比海西北部的样本开展遗传多样性与种群结构分析。本次研究共收集了覆盖3个地理区域的286个个体样本。基于线粒体细胞色素b基因与10个核微卫星位点的分化估计结果显示，该区域花点鹰鳐种群间存在微弱但显著的遗传结构。基于两类分子标记的分子方差分析结果均表明，佛罗里达与墨西哥种群间存在显著遗传分化；而与古巴种群的比对结果则显示，墨西哥、佛罗里达种群与古巴鳐群间存在高水平的基因交流。当按性别分别开展分析时，两类分子标记得到了不一致的结果，这凸显了在推断种群结构与性别偏向扩散时，采用多分子标记手段的重要性。贝叶斯聚类分析结果提示，花点鹰鳐可能从墨西哥湾向南迁徙，进入加勒比海西北部海域。鉴于渔业对该物种造成的影响，加之当前种群遗传学数据的匮乏，本研究结果可为其保护管理策略的制定提供宝贵的科学依据。