Developing a Largemouth Bass Hybrid Strain for Mapping Genome Linkage Completed
The largemouth bass is a highly managed sport fish. Detailed genetic information on the fish at the gene level can provide researchers insight into genomic control of phenotypic expression of life-history traits, core physiological functions, and other aspects of biology.
PROJECT COMPLETED
The Science Issue and Relevance: The largemouth bass is a native fish species in the United States and is highly managed as a sport fish. Many genetic and ecological studies have focused on management of largemouth bass, yet lack of detailed information at the gene level prevents a thorough understanding of many physiological regulatory mechanisms. Better understanding of this basic level of largemouth bass genetics will provide researches with insights regarding genomic control of phenotypic expression of life-history traits, core physiological functions, and other aspects of biology (e.g., growth, disease, behaviors). Development of a genome linkage map will serve an important role in bridging ecology and genetics of this iconic species.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: In order to make an effective and useful genome map of largemouth bass, an appropriate cross-strain for genome mapping will be developed by crossing pure Florida largemouth subspecies Micropterus salmoides floridanus and pure northern subspecies M. s. salmoides. Breeding and genetic analyses will include:
- Cross pure M. s. salmoides male and pure M. s. floridanus female fish to produce F1 progeny by natural spawning and allowing them to grow to maturity in outside ponds at SESC.
- Cross one of F1 female produced and M. s. salmoides male (its father) to produce F2 progeny by natural spawning in outside ponds.
- After F2 fish mature, sacrifice 100 fish and extract DNA for genome linkage analysis.
Future Steps: Continuation of this study or spinning off into other research areas is dependent on the success of this study. The genome linkage map will enable researchers to isolate genetic markers linked with genes responsible for specific traits and diagnosis of populations to assess genetic purity or to examine genetic variation.
Related Project(s) and Product(s):
Discussion of research findings will be in the scientific journal ‘Genome Research’ – manuscript has not been completed as of 3/11/16.
Note: this project was conducted solely by Dr. Tadao Kitagawa, University of Florida, Fisheries Dept., and Kinki University, Japan, as part of a Ph.D. research project by one of Dr. Kitagawa’s graduate students. USGS involvement was use of study ponds.
The largemouth bass is a highly managed sport fish. Detailed genetic information on the fish at the gene level can provide researchers insight into genomic control of phenotypic expression of life-history traits, core physiological functions, and other aspects of biology.
PROJECT COMPLETED
The Science Issue and Relevance: The largemouth bass is a native fish species in the United States and is highly managed as a sport fish. Many genetic and ecological studies have focused on management of largemouth bass, yet lack of detailed information at the gene level prevents a thorough understanding of many physiological regulatory mechanisms. Better understanding of this basic level of largemouth bass genetics will provide researches with insights regarding genomic control of phenotypic expression of life-history traits, core physiological functions, and other aspects of biology (e.g., growth, disease, behaviors). Development of a genome linkage map will serve an important role in bridging ecology and genetics of this iconic species.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: In order to make an effective and useful genome map of largemouth bass, an appropriate cross-strain for genome mapping will be developed by crossing pure Florida largemouth subspecies Micropterus salmoides floridanus and pure northern subspecies M. s. salmoides. Breeding and genetic analyses will include:
- Cross pure M. s. salmoides male and pure M. s. floridanus female fish to produce F1 progeny by natural spawning and allowing them to grow to maturity in outside ponds at SESC.
- Cross one of F1 female produced and M. s. salmoides male (its father) to produce F2 progeny by natural spawning in outside ponds.
- After F2 fish mature, sacrifice 100 fish and extract DNA for genome linkage analysis.
Future Steps: Continuation of this study or spinning off into other research areas is dependent on the success of this study. The genome linkage map will enable researchers to isolate genetic markers linked with genes responsible for specific traits and diagnosis of populations to assess genetic purity or to examine genetic variation.
Related Project(s) and Product(s):
Discussion of research findings will be in the scientific journal ‘Genome Research’ – manuscript has not been completed as of 3/11/16.
Note: this project was conducted solely by Dr. Tadao Kitagawa, University of Florida, Fisheries Dept., and Kinki University, Japan, as part of a Ph.D. research project by one of Dr. Kitagawa’s graduate students. USGS involvement was use of study ponds.