Genome-wide association analysis of growth traits in yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)

Abstract:

The genetic resources available for the commercially important pelagic yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) are relative sparse. 2b-RAD simplified genome sequencing technology was applied to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in yellowtail kingfish, and a total of 26,665 SNPs were obtained. A genome-wide association study was carried out to detect body weight- and total length-associated SNPs in 119 individuals from the yellowtail kingfish population in the Yellow Sea. The results showed that 17 SNPs associated with body weight and with potential genome-wide significance were found. Genes in the candidate regions with 1 Mb windows were screened, and 17 candidate genes were obtained. A total of 12 SNPs associated with total length and with potential genome-wide significance were identified, and 12 candidate genes were found. For these candidate genes, KEGG pathway analysis showed that they are mainly involved in the metabolic regulation pathway of growth and development in other vertebrates, which may be important candidate SNP loci and functional genes closely related to the growth traits of yellowtail kingfish. The present results could provide genetic information for the sustainable utilization of germplasm resources and genetic breeding of yellowtail kingfish in the in the future.