Identification and verification of QTL associated with growth traits in two genetic backgrounds of Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

Abstract

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting growth traits have previously been mapped in linkage groups (LG) 2, 3 and 23 of Barramundi (Lates carcalifer), but these QTL have not been verified in different genetic backgrounds and environments. Here, we report the identification and verification of QTL for growth traits on LG2, 3, 10 and 23 in F(1) families constructed using brooders from the Singapore Marine Aquaculture Center (MAC) and from wild stocks collected in Thailand (THAI). The previously detected QTL for body weight and length linked to marker Lca371 on LG2 were confirmed in both the MAC and THAI families, whereas other QTL previously mapped to LG3 and 23 were only detected in one of the two families. QTL for body weight and length were identified in the MAC family, but not in the THAI family, in a region where the insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and tyrosine hydroxylase 1 (TH1) genes are located on LG10. Significant epistatic interactions were identified between markers Lca287 on LG2 and IGF2 on LG10 for growth trait QTL in the MAC family, but not in the THAI family. Effects of the IGF2, TH1 and parvalbumin 1 candidate genes were family-specific. Our results indicate that some but not all QTL are family-specific in Barramundi.

Quantitative Trait Loci Involved in Sex Determination and Body Growth in the Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata L.) through Targeted Genome Scan

“…Growth related QTL detected in the European seabass linkage group 1 (DL-LG1) [21] and in the Asian seabass linkage group 2 (LC-LG2) [22], [23] were mapped to stickleback chromosome V (STV) and STII which correspond to sea bream RH groups (SA-RH) 11 and 18 respectively. Moreover, according to comparative mapping results, between linkage and RH maps in sea bream, SA-RH11 corresponds to SA-LG2 and SA-RH18 corresponds to SA-LG 21 (Fig.…”

“…The second species, the Asian sea bass Lates calcarifer (Latidae), is like the gilthead sea bream, protandrous hermaphrodite. For the Asian sea bass a QTL for growth was detected at linkage group 2 [22], [23]. In order to select candidate regions from Sparus aurata genome for QTL scanning, we looked for the homologous groups for European seabass LG1 and Asian seabass LG2.…”

A consensus linkage map of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to compare the distribution and variation of QTLs associated with growth traits

“…Many multiple population QTL studies have been carried out in plants [1820] and animals [2123], and there are some reports on aquatic species [24,25]; however, to date, no studies have been carried out on common carp. Here, we present an integrated common carp map, including the position of QTLs controlling growth-related traits to provide a genomic framework for quantitative trait loci identification and for comparative mapping, map-based cloning, assessment of genetic diversity, and applied breeding in MAS schemes.…”

Genetic and genomic analyses for economically important traits and their applications in molecular breeding of cultured fish

“…The other two major QTLs for body weight were located at another LG2 position. These five major QTLs have been confirmed in two other Asian seabass populations [22]. Further QTL fine mapping of the Asian seabass growth trait identified three candidate "growth genes" (cathepsin D, KCTD15, and csmd2) affecting body weight, body length, and total length [10].…”