Contrary to what many of us think , great white sharksare not made up of a single species but are in reality separated into three distinct populations that inhabit different share of the world ’s oceans . The upshot promote concerns for conservationists , as it seems these distinct population rarely interbreed .

The discovery was made by an external squad of scientists who utilise new advanced genome analysis to whitened sharks from around the world . They found that the three distinguishable geographical bloodline separated between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago , during thePenultimate Glacial Period , and each inhabit water in the south Pacific Ocean ( Indo - Pacific ) , northerly Pacific Ocean , and in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean , respectively .

Despite their global distribution , old research into the molecular population of white sharks has been limited to opportunistic sampling from single ocean basins or regions . In accession , most of these relied on an analysis of “ microsatellites ” , repetitive segment of DNA that repeat multiple times at specific points in a genome , and small fragment of the mitochondrial control neighborhood , which controls RNA and DNA synthesis .

However , the focussing on these markers make a perplexing picture that appeared to be unhelpful for understanding late connectivity between white-hot shark populations . As such , the research worker in this subject area turned to high - resolution genome - wide marking – something shout out undivided - base pleomorphism ( SNPs ) – which provided a reliable and consistent image of the situation that revealed the three distinct line of descent .

This find is more than a curiosity about an ( in)famous marine specie – it also play up a significant preservation trouble .

Crucially , the researchers find that the sharks do not interact with those from other populations . This means the globular universe of white shark is actually at agreater riskof defunctness than previously recollect , as a loss in any lineage is unlikely to be recoup through interbreeding .

“ If all the white-hot sharks belonged to a exclusive big , incorporated global universe , it would not weigh so much if they vanished from a specific expanse , ” Dr Catherine Jones , the study ’s lead investigator at the University of Aberdeen , explained in astatement .

“ But if white shark comprise separate genetically distinct populations , such as in the Mediterranean , and this were lose , unique inherited diversity would also be lose . ”

The inquiry demonstrates the need tounderstandthe distribution and health of these different groups of sharks if they are to be protect in the futurity .

“ Successful conservation requires recognition of management units , but this has been unavailable for blank sharks , which were suspected to subsist as a single global population , ” Les Noble , Professor of Aquatic Biosciences at Nord University in Norway , added .

“ Although not wide appreciate humanity ’s future is increasingly bound up with that of white sharks . As top predators they play a crucial persona in keep the wellness and diversity of local marine ecosystem which are responsible for 20 percent of protein in our diet . In the last 50 years white shark abundance has almost halved , and it is recognized as critically endangered in Europe . ”

If recent forecasts are right , then we may see change in the strength and direction of the majorocean currentswithin the next 50 years . If this happen , then it could lead to the crack-up of the geographical boundaries between these shark lineages , which could lead to more unproductive mating , further endangering white shark along with the overall diversity , health , and productivity of the world ’s ocean .

“ It has long been considered that sharks lose from one surface area would be compensated for with themovementand matings of sharks from other locations . Our finding suggest this is intelligibly unbelievable and this , together with bycatch fishing , depletion of their solid food taciturnity , pollution , and poaching , could put this iconic apex predator in real risk of experimental extinction , ” Jones conclude .

The field of study is published inCurrent Biology .