Quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with resistance to a monogenean parasite (Benedenia seriolae) in yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) through genome wide analysis

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 4;8(6):e64987. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064987. Print 2013.

Abstract

Benedenia infections caused by the monogenean fluke ectoparasite Benedenia seriolae seriously impact marine finfish aquaculture. Genetic variation has been inferred to play a significant role in determining the susceptibility to this parasitic disease. To evaluate the genetic basis of Benedenia disease resistance in yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata), a genome-wide and chromosome-wide linkage analyses were initiated using F1 yellowtail families (n = 90 per family) based on a high-density linkage map with 860 microsatellite and 142 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. Two major quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions on linkage groups Squ2 (BDR-1) and Squ20 (BDR-2) were identified. These QTL regions explained 32.9-35.5% of the phenotypic variance. On the other hand, we investigated the relationship between QTL for susceptibility to B. seriolae and QTL for fish body size. The QTL related to growth was found on another linkage group (Squ7). As a result, this is the first genetic evidence that contributes to detailing phenotypic resistance to Benedenia disease, and the results will help resolve the mechanism of resistance to this important parasitic infection of yellowtail.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size / genetics
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Chromosomes / genetics
  • Disease Resistance / genetics*
  • Fish Diseases / parasitology*
  • Fishes / genetics*
  • Fishes / growth & development
  • Fishes / parasitology*
  • Fishes / physiology
  • Genomics*
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Platyhelminths / physiology*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Quantitative Trait Loci*

Grants and funding

The work was supported by ministry of Fisheries Research Agency (FRA) grants-in-aid for scientific research “New Technology of Fish Breeding”. And funded by the Program for Promotion of Basic and Applied Researches for Innovations in Bio-oriented Industry (BRAIN). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.