Genetic linkage map of the pearl oyster,Pinctada martensii (Dunker)

Genetic linkage maps were constructed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite markers for the pearl oyster, Pinctada martensii (Dunker), the main bivalve used for marine pearl production in Asia. Twenty‐four AFLP and 84 microsatellite primer pairs were used for linkage analysis in a full‐sib family with two parents and 78 offspring. Of the 2357 AFLP fragments generated, 394 (16.7%) were polymorphic and segregating. Most (340 or 86.2%) of the markers segregated according to expected Mendelian ratios. Female and male linkage maps were constructed using 230 and 189 markers, including 15 and 10 microsatellites respectively. The female map consisted of 110 markers in 15 linkage groups, covering 1415.9 cM, with an average interval of 14.9 cM. The male map consisted of 98 markers in 16 linkage groups, with a total length of 1323.2 cM and an average interval of 16.1 cM. When unlinked doublets were considered, genome coverages were 78.5% for the female and 73.5% for the male map. Although preliminary, the genetic maps constructed here should be useful for future linkage and quantitative trait loci mapping efforts.     

Fish and seafood traceability based on AFLP markers: Elaboration of a species database

Several sociological, health and conservation arguments request a correct labelling of seafood products. Nowadays, molecular genetics is a useful tool for food chain traceability, particularly in regards to species identification. Among the variety of PCR-based molecular markers, AFLPs (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) have recently been used to investigate genomes of different complexities. This paper assesses the potential use of the AFLP technology to determine fish and seafood species in processed commercial products and domestic stocks. In particular a species database of fish, molluscs and crustaceans has been created with the aim to identify species of origin of seafood products by previously defined AFLP patterns. Different EcoRI and TaqI primer combinations were selected from 20 screened combinations in relation to the total number of detected fragments and polymorphic ones. Most informative combinations were E32/T32, E32/T33, E33/T33, E33/T37, E33/T38, E40/T33, E40/T37, E42/T32, E42/T37. The comparison of informative markers between unknown frozen or fresh products and reference samples has enabled the accurate identification of 32 different species. The taxonomic characterization has been performed either at the species or at the population level depending on the number of available individuals. AFLP variation at the population level is particularly helpful for the stock traceability of domestic strains. Size homoplasy was also investigated in one species to assess the rate of non-homologous comigrating fragments and to detect additional polymorphic markers to be used in stock identification. Results of Band Sharing Index (BSI) and percentage of polymorphic fragments are presented and are discussed in relation to the wide applicability of AFLPs both for fish and seafood safety and authenticity testing in such fields as food traceability and restocking management. The database, available upon request at nonnis@biol.unipr.it, will be continuously updated.     

A first genetic linkage map of bluegill sunfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lepomis macrochirus</Emphasis>) using AFLP markers

Genetic linkage maps were constructed for bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, using AFLP in a F₁ inter-population hybrid family based on a double-pseudo testcross strategy. Sixty-four primer combinations produced 4,010 loci, of which 222 maternal loci and 216 paternal loci segregated at a 1:1 Mendelian ratio, respectively. The female and male framework maps consisted of 176 and 177 markers ordered into 31 and 33 genetic linkage groups, spanning 1628.2 and 1525.3 cM, with an average marker spacing of 10.71 and 10.59 cM, respectively. Genome coverage was estimated to be 69.5 and 69.3% for the female and male framework maps, respectively. On the maternal genetic linkage map, the maximum length and marker number of the linkage groups were 122.9 cM and 14, respectively. For the paternal map, the maximum length and marker number of the linkage groups were 345.3 cM and 19, respectively, which were much greater than those on the maternal genetic linkage map. The other genetic linkage map parameters of the paternal genetic linkage map were similar to those in the maternal genetic linkage map. For both the female and male maps, the number of linkage groups was greater than the haploid chromosome number of bluegill (2n = 48), indicating some linkage groups may distribute on the same chromosome. This genetic linkage mapping is the first step toward to the QTL mapping of traits important to cultured breeding in bluegill.     

A first‐generation genetic map of the Japanese scallop Patinopecten yessoensis‐based AFLP and microsatellite markers

We constructed genetic linkage maps of the Japanese scallop Patinopecten yessoensis using AFLP and microsatellite markers. With 32 AFLP primer combinations, a total of 413 markers (209 from the female parent and 204 from the male parent) segregated in a 1:1 ratio, corresponding to DNA polymorphisms which were heterozygous in one parent and null in the other. Among the six microsatellite markers we used, there were four polymorphic loci. Two segregated in the female parent, and the other two segregated in both parents. In the maternal parent, 161 framework markers were mapped in 20 linkage groups, with a total coverage of 2198.8 cM. In the paternal parent, 166 framework markers established a map with 21 linkage groups, spanning a genome length of 2137.6 cM. The AFLP markers on the maps were randomly distributed with an average spacing between markers of 14.7–15.6 cM. The estimated coverage for the framework maps are 77.9% both for the female and the male. These are the first linkage maps for P. yessoensis, which constitute a basis for further genome studies and provide a useful framework for consensus map construction by adding orthologous anchor markers developed in P. yessoensis.     

Genetic linkage map of bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck 1819)

The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians irradians Lamarck 1819) has become one of the most important aquaculture species in China. Genetic improvement of cultured bay scallop can benefit greatly from a better understanding of its genome. In this study, we developed amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) and simple sequence repeat markers from expressed sequence tags (EST‐SSRs) for linkage analysis in bay scallop. Segregation of 390 AFLP and eight SSR markers was analysed in a mapping population of 97 progeny. Of the AFLP markers analysed, 326 segregated in the expected 1:1 Mendelian ratio, while the remaining 74 (or 19.0%) showed significant deviation, with 33 (44.6%) being deficient in heterozygotes (A/a). Among the eight polymorphic EST‐SSR loci, one marker (12.5%) was found skewing from its expected Mendelian ratios. Eighteen per cent of the markers segregating from female parent were distorted compared with 21% of the markers segregating from male parent. The female map included 147 markers in 17 linkage groups (LGs) and covered 1892.4 cM of the genome. In the male map, totally 146 AFLP and SSR markers were grouped in 18 LGs spanning 1937.1 cM. The average inter‐marker spacing in female and male map was 12.9 and 13.3 cM respectively. The AFLP and SSR markers were distributed evenly throughout the genome except for a few large gaps over 20 cM. Although preliminary, the genetic maps presented here provide a starting point for the mapping of the bay scallop genome.     

Molecular identification of interspecific hybrids between Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis gigantea Gmelin using amplified fragment‐length polymorphism and microsatellite markers

Interspecific hybrids between Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis gigantea Gmelin were produced in this study. The hybridity of the interspecific hybrids was confirmed by using the methods of amplified fragment‐length polymorphism (AFLP) and microsatellite [simple sequence repeats (SSR)] markers. Five AFLP primer combinations were used to develop the AFLP profiles of H. discus hannai, H. gigantea and their reciprocal hybrids. AFLP analysis revealed that genetic variations of H. discus hannai and H. gigantea were relatively diverse and each species holds species‐specific bands. The AFLP profiles of reciprocal hybrids showed that all of the hybrids inherited bands specific to H. discus hannai and H. gigantea. Of a total of 20 microsatellite loci, which were selected from H. discus hannai microsatellite markers evaluated, eight loci were polymorphic in H. gigantea samples, with an average of 3.375 alleles per locus. Preliminary screening showed that, two of these eight microsatellite loci (Awb002 and Awb022) could be used as species‐specific markers to distinguish the hybrids and their parental species. Simple sequence repeats analysis showed that the reciprocal hybrids inherited one allele from each parent for both of the two SSR loci investigated. These data strongly suggest that the induced interspecific hybrid is a true hybrid between H. discus hannai and H. gigantea.     

Genetic information of three pure lines of Porphyra yezoensis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) obtained by AFLP analysis

Porphyra (Bangiales, Rhodophyta), which includes several valuable marine crops, has recently received great interest as a model plant for fundamental and applied studies in marine sciences. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) are a robust and efficient means for genetic mapping, linkage analysis of genetic characters for breeding and population studies in land plant genomes. To examine whether AFLPs are applicable as genetic markers in the present study, we detected AFLP markers with three pure lines in order to promote genetic analysis in Porphyra yezoensis . The following five sets of AFLP primer pairs (E-AA, M-CAA) (E-AA, M-CAC) (E-AA, M-CAG) (E-AA, M-CAT) (E-AA, M-CTA) were tested with template DNAs from three pure lines and they showed a total of 227 bands. This suggests that AFLP markers are promising tools for genetic analysis in Porphyra .     

A preliminary genetic map of Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri Jones et Preston 1904)

Zhikong scallop (Chlamys farreri Jones et Preston 1904) is one of the most important aquaculture species in China. The development of a genetic linkage map would provide a powerful tool for the genetic improvement of this species. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is a PCR‐based technique that has proven to be powerful in genome fingerprinting and mapping, and population analysis. Genetic maps of C. farreri were constructed using AFLP markers and a full‐sib family with 60 progeny. A total of 503 segregating AFLP markers were obtained, with 472 following the Mendelian segregation ratio of 1:1 and 31 markers showing significant (P<0.05) segregation distortion. The male map contained 166 informative AFLP markers in 23 linkage groups covering 2468 cM. The average distance between markers was 14.9 cM. The female genetic map consisted of 198 markers in 25 linkage groups spanning 3130 cM with an average inter‐marker spacing of 15.8 cM. DNA polymorphisms that segregated in a 3:1 ratio as well as the AFLP markers that were heterozygous in both parents were included to construct combined linkage genetic map. Five shared linkage groups, ranging from 61.1 to 162.5 cM, were identified between the male and female maps, covering 431 cM. Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers appeared to be evenly distributed within the linkage groups. Although preliminary, these maps provide a starting point for the mapping of the functional genes and quantitative trait loci in C. farreri.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for growth-related traits in the Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino

The locations and effects of quantitative trait loci (QTL) were estimated for nine characters for growth‐related traits in the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplification fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and SSR genetic linkage map. Twenty‐eight putatively significant QTLs (LOD>2.4) were detected for nine traits (shell length, shell width, total weight, shell weight, weight of soft part, muscle weight, gonad and digestive gland weight, mantle weight and gill weight). The percentage of phenotypic variation explained by a single QTL ranged from 8.0% to 35.9%. The significant correlations (P<0.001) were found among all the growth‐related traits, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were more than 0.81. For the female map, the QTL for growth were concentrated on groups 1 and 4 linkage maps. On the male map, the QTL that influenced growth‐related traits gathered on the groups 1 and 9 linkage maps. Genetic linkage map construction and QTL analysis for growth‐related traits are the basis for the marker‐assisted selection and will eventually improve production and quality of the Pacific abalone.     

基于SSR和RSAP的龙须菜作图群体多态性标记 开发与亲本间遗传距离的估计与比较

遗传连锁图谱的构建是实现分子标记辅助育种与数量性状定位的必要手段,为构建龙须菜(Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis)遗传连锁图谱提供多态性分子标记,本实验共采用400对SSR引物和91对RSAP引物对组合,对龙须菜两个F1代配子体作图群体的亲本进行了多态性标记筛选,并对4个亲本间的遗传距离进行了评估.得到的SSR多态性标记在GL-F3/GL-M8间为15个,GL-F6/GL-M9间为8个;多态性RSAP标记在GL-F3/GL-M8间为88个;GL-F6/GL-M9间为93个.分析了基于SSR、RSAP技术的两对亲本间的遗传距离,SSR结果显示GL-F3/GL-M8间遗传距离为0.071 2,GL-F6/GL-M9间的遗传距离为0.043 6;RSAP结果显示GL-F3/GL-M8间遗传距离为0.228 4,GL-F6/GL-M9间的遗传距离为0.253 7.结果表明,在引物组合平均覆盖的位点和引物组合平均产生的多态性方面,RSAP均远高于SSR,在GL-F3/GL-M8间RSAP分别是SSR的4.48与12.13倍,在GL-F6/GL-M9间RSAP分别是SSR的5.81与25.5倍,RSAP标记更适合应用于龙须菜的遗传距离估计和资源的遗传多样性研究.本研究揭示出作图群体亲本间遗传多样性特征,SSR与RSAP分子标记的开发为龙须菜遗传连锁图谱的构建奠定了基础.     

大口黑鲈选育群体遗传多样性的AFLP分析

采用AFLP技术对大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)F3、F4代选育群体的遗传结构进行分析,并计算2个选育群体和一个对照养殖群体的遗传多态度、遗传距离及分化系数。结果显示,8对AFLP引物共扩增到262条带,其中多态性条带有80条,每对引物检测到的多态性条带在5～13之间。F3、F4代选育群体和对照养殖群体的多态性位点比例分别为29.36%、29.20%、30.29%。Shannon多样性指数分别为0.2017,0.1955,0.2042。结果表明,选育群体相较于对照养殖群体多态位点比例和遗传多态度均有所下降。群体间的遗传变异平均为0.0752,由此可见,92.48%的遗传变异来自于群体内,而只有7.52%的遗传变异来自于群体间,这初步显示了大口黑鲈在遗传上的稳定性,群体尚具有一定的选育潜力,可继续进行人工选育。     

辽宁沿海海蜇与沙海蜇遗传多样性的AFLP分析

海蜇和沙海蛰均为腔肠动物门的大型食用水母,采用AFLP分子标记技术对辽宁沿海的海蜇野生群体、养殖群体和沙海蜇野生群体共90个个体进行了遗传多样性分析.10对引物共得到560个稳定扩增位点.3个群体的多态性位点比例为海蜇野生群体82.05%.海蜇养殖群体78.46%,沙海蜇野生群体74.10%;平均杂合度分别为0.2072,0.1850和0.2116,Shannon多样性指数分别为0.3248、0.2954和0.3262,海蜇野生群体与海蜇养殖群体和沙海蜇野生群体的遗传距离分别为0.0300和0.2702.分析结果表明,3个群体的遗传多样性均保持了相对较高的水平.     

条斑紫菜6个品系的SRAP分析

为鉴别条斑紫菜不同品系的种质,使用相关序列扩增多态性(sequence-related amplified polymorphism,SRAP)标记对条斑紫菜的5个选育品系和1个野生品系进行遗传分析,结果从35对引物组合中筛选出可扩增出稳定清晰条带的组合11对,共获得131个扩增位点,其中多态性位点125个,多态性比例高达95.42%。6个品系 间的遗传距离为0.364 3～0.867 9,平均为0.593 0。用UPGMA法进行聚类分析,结果将6个品系分为2个群,所反映的亲缘关系与各品系的来源基本一致,说明SRAP 标记技术可以成为条斑紫菜品系间遗传分析的有效工具。在131个多态性位点中,选择扩增出的4个位点构建了6个品系的指纹图谱。另外,通过ME1/EM6引物组合 扩增得到耐高温品系TM-18的特异性条带,经回收测序和重新设计引物,该条带在其丝状体和叶状体DNA中均能稳定地被扩增出来,可用于该品系的种质鉴别 。     

Effect of parental stock size on F1 genetic structure in the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck, 1819)

Three F₁ families of the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians, were produced from one, two and 10 individuals. The genetic changes in these populations, which suffered recent and different levels of bottleneck, were analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) techniques. In the parental stock, a total of 330 bands were detected using seven AFLP primer pairs, and 70% of the loci were polymorphic. All F₁ groups had a significantly lower proportion of polymorphic loci when compared with the initial stock, and loss of the rare loci and reduction in heterozygosity both occurred. The progeny of the larger population (i.e., N=10) exhibited a lesser amount of genetic differentiation compared with the progeny from N=2, which showed lesser differentiation than progeny from N=1. The effective population sizes (N_e) in N=1, 2 and 10 were estimated as 1.50, 1.61 and 2.49. Based on regression analysis, we recommend that at least 340 individuals be used in hatchery populations to maintain genetic variation.     

A genome scan of a four-way tilapia cross supports the existence of a quantitative trait locus for cold tolerance on linkage group 23

A genome scan, searching for quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the traits cold tolerance and body weight in tilapia, was performed on a cross between a (Oreochromis niloticus×Sarotherodon galilaeus) male and a (O. mossambicus×O. aureus) female. Fifty‐four microsatellites and 23 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations were genotyped and tested for marker–trait associations. Sex‐specific linkage maps were constructed from this data. Twenty‐three point‐wise significant marker–trait associations were found in the genome scan, and putative QTL were subsequently tested in another (On×Sg) × (Om×Oa) family. None of the putative QTL from the first experiment were significant in the second experiment. However, one microsatellite, UNH130, found to be associated to weight in the first experiment, was found to be strongly associated to cold tolerance in the second experiment. Since QTL for cold tolerance and body weight were recently found on the linkage group containing UNH130 (linkage group 23) in another study, this linkage group was investigated more closely using interval mapping. The results provide indications, but not conclusive evidence, of a QTL for cold tolerance on linkage group 23.     

Use of microsatellite loci and AFLP markers to verify gynogenesis and clonal lines in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus L.

To develop an effective system for parentage analysis in gynogenetic and clonal progeny of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., polymorphic microsatellite loci and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were investigated in several gynogenetic families and clonal lines. Six microsatellite loci were screened in two meiotic gynogenetic families to look for loci with high gene–centromere recombination rates, which can be used to discriminate meiotic from mitotic gynogenetics. Microsatellite loci UNH189 and UNH211 showed 96.7% and 92.0% heterozygosity, respectively, in these families, while other loci showed lower recombination frequencies. Scoring both UNH189 and UNH211 would give a very low probability of an individual meiotic gynogenetic being homozygous for both loci. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction of microsatellite loci was used to verify parentage in four families of mitotic gynogenetics and five fully inbred clonal lines. The genotype of each clonal line should serve as a unique identifier. Twelve AFLP primers were also investigated and 26 diagnostic AFLP bands were identified to follow inheritance in mitotic gynogenetic individuals. Amplified fragment length polymorphisms were found to be effective for this purpose but microsatellites were more appropriate since they are co‐dominant, while AFLPs are dominant markers. A multiplex of the microsatellite loci used in this study would be useful for general parental assignment as well as for the analysis of the products of chromosome set manipulations.     

Identification of growth‐related nucleotide polymorphism in cultured Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis

Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF), Thunnus orientalis, is commercially one of the most important species of tuna. In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) screening was conducted to find the growth‐related polymorphic DNA in cultured PBF. Fish hatched in 2007 were harvested at an age of 818–1994 days. They were categorized into superior, average and inferior growth groups, depending on their growth score at the time of harvest. On AFLP screening of 24 fish, with eight fish from each group, 215 polymorphic DNA fragments were observed. A second amplification, with EcoRI + ACC and MseI + CCC primers, generated a polymorphic fragment of 630 bp at a rate of 80.0% (n = 15) in the superior, 56.3% (n = 16) in the average and 20.0% (n = 15) in the inferior growth groups. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, which could amplify both AFLP‐positive and AFLP‐negative loci, were developed using the consensus sequence outside the AFLP target fragment. Eleven haplotypes were obtained by sequence analysis of the PCR product at the AFLP target loci. Among those, haplotype 1 was statistically significant in the superior and average growth groups and could be used as a molecular marker for distinguishing the individuals with superior and average growth from those with inferior growth.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for growth‐related traits in the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

The swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) is an economically important species in Asian aquaculture. Implementing growth‐related traits of P. trituberculatus into genetic breeding programmes is an ongoing effort. We used a previously published genetic linkage map of P. trituberculatus, containing 55 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 172 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) techniques to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth‐related traits in a single full sibling F₂ family. Ten growth‐related traits were measured for QTL mapping. Composite interval mapping identified 9 QTL on the female map and 16 on the male map. Individual QTL with additive effects explained 11–38% of the phenotypic variance for various traits using the female parent's map, and from 1% to 21% using the male parent's map. Two QTL explaining a large percentage of variation in body weight were detected on chromosome 17 on the female map, and on chromosome 16 on the male map, and contributed 38% and 18% of the phenotypic variance respectively. This is the first study to report the detection and positioning of major QTL affecting growth in a true crab species (Brachyura). The mapping of growth‐related QTL in this study raises the possibility of improving the growth of P. trituberculatus through marker‐assisted selection.     

黄姑鱼异质雌核发育子代的遗传分析

为了解黄姑鱼（Nibea albiflora）异质雌核发育子代的基因纯合情况,利用微卫星标记（SSR）和扩增片段长度多态性标记（AFLP）对黄姑鱼异质雌核发育家系进行遗传鉴定和分析。结果显示：（1）雌核发育家系在4个SSR位点和5对AFLP引物组合扩增出的位点均未发现父本特异性等位条带,表明雌核发育体比率为100%。（2）用于遗传分析的7个SSR位点在雌核发育家系和正常交配家系中均未见完全纯合的情况,雌核发育家系7个SSR位点的平均纯合度为0.382,是正常交配家系（0.161）的2.37倍。雌核发育家系各个体的纯合位点数为0~6个,纯合位点所占比例为0~85.7%。（3）5对AFLP引物共扩增出182条清晰的扩增条带,其中有21条父本特异性条带和16条母本特异性条带。16条母本特异性条带中有7个条带在雌核发育家系中显著偏分离（P<0.05）。雌核发育家系和正常交配家系多态性条带比例分别为14.7%和20.3%。（4）雌核发育家系与母本的遗传相似度高于与正常交配家系的遗传相似度,正常交配家系同父本和母本的遗传距离大致相同。研究结果表明,黄姑鱼异质雌核发育二倍体家系的遗传纯合度显著高于正常交配家系,人工诱导雌核发育是促进基因纯合的一个有效途径,它不仅可以加速有利基因的纯合固定,还可以加速有害基因的淘汰,从而有效提高育种效率。     

A set of highly polymorphic microsatellites useful for kinship and population analysis in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

The turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) is a flatfish species of great commercial value for aquaculture. In this study we describe the isolation and characterization of 30 novel highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in this species obtained from a genomic library enriched for seven short tandem repeated motifs. Much higher polymorphism (mean number of alleles: 13.37; mean expected heterozygosity: 0.869) and potential for parentage assignment than previously reported for microsatellites in turbot were found after the analysis of 24 wild individuals. Most loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations, excluding Sma‐USC20 and Sma‐USC28, which showed a high heterozygote deficit probably due to the presence of null alleles. No significant genotypic disequilibrium was observed between any pair of loci, suggesting no close linkage between them. These loci are potentially useful for kinship and population analysis in turbot.