A new sex-specific genetic marker (fshr 1834G>T) for flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus, in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

In this study, genetic sex marker candidates from northern hemisphere Mugil cephalus were tested to see if they could be used to sex a population originating from south-east Queensland, Australia. As such, a region of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) gene was sequenced but did not contain previously published single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, further screening of the sequenced fshr region revealed a promising sex marker candidate for Queensland M. cephalus, fshr 1834 G>T, which was accurate in 100% of fish tested (excluding intersex fish, which had the female genotype). While all females tested were homozygous G/G, males presented as either G/T (common) or T/T (lower frequency). Subsequently, a real-time high-resolution melt was developed to facilitate rapid and accurate genotyping of M. cephalus based on the fshr 1834 G>T SNP. Initial results suggest that fshr 1834 G>T is a useful SNP that can reduce the need for more invasive sampling techniques such as gonadal biopsy, provide information relating to the sex of captive stock prior to gonadal maturation, and may prove useful in wild population surveys and stock assessment.