DNA barcoding of chondrichthyans in South African fisheries

South Africa has one of the highest chondrichthyan species diversities in the world, with more than 35% affected by regional fisheries. In order to evaluate the impact of these activities, accurate data on species occurrence is needed. Here, we tested a more robust identification approach of chondrichthyan species in South Africa by sequencing a subsample of specimens (n = 75) collected from different regional fisheries at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Morphological identification of these specimens was evaluated through sequence similarity testing of barcoding sequences available in the Barcode of Life Data (BOLD) database. A total of 23 species from ten families of sharks, skates and rays were identified with an overall agreement of 73% between genetic identification and initial morphological identifications made in the field. Despite some limitations of the COI gene for species identity and the small number of samples analysed in the study, results suggest that a more integrated species identification approach of chondrichthyans can be used to assist conservation of chondrichthyans in South African fisheries.