Microbiome plasticity during the early life-stage of the angelshark (Squatina squatina) in Las Teresitas (Canary Islands)
5 affiliations
- 1IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain.
- 2Angel Shark Project: Canary Islands, Islas Canarias, Spain.
- 3Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
- 4Universidad del Atlántico Medio, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
- 5LIB, Museum Koenig Bonn, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change Bonn, Germany.
Abstract
Shark microbiome studies offer acute insights into host health, immunity, and ecological interactions, yet remain poorly studied compared to other marine vertebrates. Shark-associated microbial communities, despite being species-specific, are influenced by environmental conditions and feeding ecology. In this study, we aimed to characterize shifts in the microbiome of the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) during the early stages of development and to assess how environmental factors contribute to the shaping of a specific microbiota. Samples from thirty-nine juvenile angelsharks were collected from Las Teresitas nursery area in the Canary Islands over one year. Skin, oral and cloacal microbiomes were analysed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The sizes of individuals ranged between 24 and 42 cm in length. The shark microbiome was clearly distinct from the surrounding environment, indicating a unique composition from early life stages. Dominant bacteria present in the shark microbiomes included Vibrionaceae (up to 96%), Pseudoalteromonas (up to 63%), Rhodobacteraceae (up to 57%) and Alteromonadaceae (up to 20%). Seawater had a greater influence than sediment on the external skin microbiome, especially in younger individuals. This was not expected due to the burial behaviour of the species. Notably, the abundance of Pseudoalteromonadaceae (assessed by qPCR) was positively correlated with shark growth but was independent of the skin mucus. This suggests a protective role of this phylotype in younger individuals and may help in the adaptation to habitat conditions. This is the first comprehensive microbiome study in angelsharks, highlighting the importance of environmental preservation for microbial integrity and juvenile fitness.
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BibTeX
@article{baneras2026microbiome,
title = {{Microbiome plasticity during the early life-stage of the angelshark (Squatina squatina) in Las Teresitas (Canary Islands)}},
author = {Tomas Bañeras and David Jiménez-Alvarado and Hector Toledo-Padilla and Laura Camps-Lahora and José Juan Castro and Ana Espino-Ruano and Airam Guerra-Marrero and Lorena Couce-Montero and Eva K M Meyers and Lluís Bañeras},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0361287},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361287},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Microbiome plasticity during the early life-stage of the angelshark (Squatina squatina) in Las Teresitas (Canary Islands)
AU - Tomas Bañeras
AU - David Jiménez-Alvarado
AU - Hector Toledo-Padilla
AU - Laura Camps-Lahora
AU - José Juan Castro
AU - Ana Espino-Ruano
AU - Airam Guerra-Marrero
AU - Lorena Couce-Montero
AU - Eva K M Meyers
AU - Lluís Bañeras
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0361287
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361287
AB - Shark microbiome studies offer acute insights into host health, immunity, and ecological interactions, yet remain poorly studied compared to other marine vertebrates. Shark-associated microbial communities, despite being species-specific, are influenced by environmental conditions and feeding ecology. In this study, we aimed to characterize shifts in the microbiome of the Critically Endangered angelshark (Squatina squatina) during the early stages of development and to assess how environmental factors contribute to the shaping of a specific microbiota. Samples from thirty-nine juvenile angelsharks were collected from Las Teresitas nursery area in the Canary Islands over one year. Skin, oral and cloacal microbiomes were analysed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The sizes of individuals ranged between 24 and 42 cm in length. The shark microbiome was clearly distinct from the surrounding environment, indicating a unique composition from early life stages. Dominant bacteria present in the shark microbiomes included Vibrionaceae (up to 96%), Pseudoalteromonas (up to 63%), Rhodobacteraceae (up to 57%) and Alteromonadaceae (up to 20%). Seawater had a greater influence than sediment on the external skin microbiome, especially in younger individuals. This was not expected due to the burial behaviour of the species. Notably, the abundance of Pseudoalteromonadaceae (assessed by qPCR) was positively correlated with shark growth but was independent of the skin mucus. This suggests a protective role of this phylotype in younger individuals and may help in the adaptation to habitat conditions. This is the first comprehensive microbiome study in angelsharks, highlighting the importance of environmental preservation for microbial integrity and juvenile fitness.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -