Abstract
Sex discriminating genetic markers are commonly used to facilitate breeding programs in economically and ecologically important animal and plant species. However, despite their considerable economic and ecological value, the development of sex markers for kelp species has been very limited. In this study, we used the recently described sequence of the sex determining region (SDR) of the brown algal model Ectocarpus to develop novel DNA-based sex-markers for three commercially relevant kelps: Laminaria digitata, Undaria pinnatifida and Macrocystis pyrifera. Markers were designed within nine protein coding genes of Ectocarpus male and female (U/V) sex chromosomes and tested on gametophytes of the three kelp species. Seven primer pairs corresponding to three loci in the Ectocarpus SDR amplified sex-specific bands in the three kelp species, yielding at least one male and one female marker for each species. Our work has generated the first male sex-specific markers for L. digitata and U. pinnatifida, as well as the first sex markers developed for the genus Macrocystis. The markers and methodology presented here will not only facilitate seaweed breeding programs but also represent useful tools for population and demography studies and provide a means to investigate the evolution of sex determination across this largely understudied eukaryotic group.
Highlights
Brown algae (Phaeophyceae) are the dominant inhabitants of coastal environments and the major primary producers in these marine ecosystems
We present the first report of male sex-specific markers for Laminaria digitata and Undaria pinnatifida, as well as the first sex markers developed for the genus Macrocystis
Current estimates indicate that the Ectocarpales and the Laminariales diverged about 100 Mya [63]
Summary
Brown algae (Phaeophyceae) are the dominant inhabitants of coastal environments and the major primary producers in these marine ecosystems. They are best known for forming kelp forests in shallow, rocky, cold water environments, especially in the northern Hemisphere. Subtidal kelp forests, together with their associated fauna and flora, are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems worldwide (reviewed in [1,2,3]). Rosko provided support in the form of salaries for authors [AFP], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section
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