What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate pigmentation disorders in spiny dogfish and their implications for species identification.

February 2, 2026Open Access

Pigmentation disorders in three specimens of spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias Linnaeus, 1758, from the Gulf of Venice, northern Adriatic Sea

Key Points

To investigate pigmentation disorders in spiny dogfish and their implications for species identification.
Conducted morphological assessments of two specimens.
Performed genetic analysis on mitochondrial genes.
Determined phylogeographic relationships among the specimens.
Two specimens showed spotless phenotypes while one had hypermelanism.
Both belonged to the South Pacific/Atlantic/Mediterranean haplogroup.
The first specimen was linked to the main haplotype, the second to a rarer haplotype.

Abstract

Abstract This study reports three cases of pigmentation disorders in Squalus acanthias from the Gulf of Venice. Two specimens exhibited spotless phenotypes, whereas one exhibited hypermelanism. Morphological assessments were conducted for two individuals, alongside genetic analysis of mitochondrial genes to determine phylogeographic relationships. Both specimens belonged to the South Pacific/Atlantic/Mediterranean haplogroup, with the first one associated with the main haplotype and the second one linked to a rarer haplotype. This study emphasizes the need for proper identification based on morphology and genetics when pigment disorders hinder a clear‐cut species assignment.

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