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The ability to correctly identify specimens at the species level is crucial for assessing and conserving biodiversity. Despite this, species-specific data are lacking for many of South Africa's catsharks due to a high level of morphological stasis. As comprehensive and curated DNA reference libraries are required for the reliable identification of specimens from morphologically similar species, this study reviewed and contributed to the availability of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nicotinamide adenine dehydrogenase subunit 2 (NADH2) sequences for South Africa's catsharks. A molecular taxonomic approach, implementing species delimitation and specimen assignment methods, was used to assess and highlight any taxonomic uncertainties and/or errors in public databases. The investigated species were summarised into 47 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs), with some conflicting specimen assignments. Two Apristurus specimens sampled in this study remained unidentified, revealing the presence of previously undocumented genetic diversity. In contrast, haplotype sharing within Haploblepharus—attributed to nucleotide ambiguities—resulted in the delimitation of three congeners into a single MOTU. This study reveals that molecular taxonomy has the potential to flag undocumented species and/or misidentified specimens, and further highlights the need to implement integrated taxonomic assessments on catsharks that represent an irreplaceable component of biodiversity in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We present the first mitochondrial genome of a South African endemic catshark, Poroderma pantherinum. The complete mitogenome is 16,686 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one non-coding control region. Similar to other shark mitogenomes, it is AT rich (61.1%), with a GC content of 38.9%. Protein-coding genes used one of two start codons (ATG and GTG) and one stop codon (TAA/TA-/T-). Phylogenetic analysis of the leopard catshark and 34 carcharhinid species showed that it clusters with two other scyliorhinid species (Cephaloscyllium umbratile and Scyliorhinus canicula) with 100% support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first mitochondrial genome of a South African endemic catshark, Poroderma pantherinum . The complete mitogenome is 16,686 bp in length, comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and one non-coding control region. Similar to other shark mitogenomes, it is AT rich (61.1%), with a GC content of 38.9%. Protein-coding genes used one of two start codons (ATG and GTG) and one stop codon (TAA/TA-/T-). Phylogenetic analysis of the leopard catshark and 34 carcharhinid species showed that it clusters with two other scyliorhinid species ( Cephaloscyllium umbratile and Scyliorhinus canicula ) with 100% support., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)