Exploration of an XX/XY Sex Determination System and Development of PCR-Based Sex-specific Markers in Procambarus clarkii Based on Next-Generation Sequencing Data

Abstract

Many economic crustacean species have sex dimorphisms during their growth. Exploring the sex determination system and developing sex-specific molecular marker(s) are very helpful for carrying out sex control breeding, and next-generation sequencing has been used as an efficient way to explore them in recent years. In this study, first, the genetic sex determination system of P. clarkii was explored as an XX/XY system by analyzing the 2b-RAD sequencing data. Furthermore, DNA samples of male and female individuals from a P. clarkii family were pooled separately for whole-genome resequencing. Based on the data of whole-genome resequencing, the 9,163 male- and female-specific bias sites with higher feasibility were obtained based on the assumption of the XX/XY sex determination system, and four sites were selected to design the sex-specific marker primers. One efficient sex-specific marker was identified with a sex discrimination rate of 99.49% (195/196) when applied to five different geographical groups with 196 individuals. The results of this study would provide a foundation for the realization of P. clarkii sex control and could provide some reference for investigating the sex determination system and sex molecular marker(s) of other crustacean species based on next-generation sequencing data.

Analysis of the morphological characteristics and direction of morphology- based selective breeding of Procambarus clarkii

“…Furthermore, since there is sexual dimorphism in the external morphology of P. clarkii (Shen et al 2022).…”

Comparative transcriptomic analysis and validation of the ovary and testis in the ridgetail white prawn (Exopalaemon carinicauda)

“…Among crustaceans, male Eriocheir sinensis has a growth advantage over females, but female E. sinensis are favourite among consumers for their greater taste (Du et al, 2019); Female Fenneropenaeus chinensis are more popular than males with breeders since they are larger than males at the same period (Wang Q. et al, 2019). While Procambarus clarkii males are larger than female individuals in the same sexual morphotype (Hamasaki et al, 2020;Shen et al, 2022). Similar to most aquatic animals, the growth trait of E. carinicauda also shows dimorphism, female individuals are larger than concurrent males (Lv et al, 2020).…”