Genetic diversity and population differentiation of wild and domesticated banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis: Applications for development of its breeding program

Abstract

The basic information on genetic diversity is important for the construction of a breeding scheme leading to the sustainable farming activity of banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis. Here, its genetic variability was examined (N = 584). Species authentication was performed by cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) polymorphism (N = 77). Microsatellite analysis revealed limited genetic diversity (average no. of alleles per locus, NA = 4.857-5.571) in the previous domesticated stocks. Subsequently, specimens from different geographic locations including Trat, Rayong, Chonburi, Pattani and Nakhon Si Thammarat on the Gulf of Thailand (east) and Trang and Krabi on the Andaman Sea (west) were genetically analyzed. Relatively high levels of genetic diversity (NA = 7.857–23.429) and heterozygosity (Ho = 0.500–0.733) were observed. Genetic differentiation was found between all pairwise comparisons (P < 0.001) except Trat-Nakhon Si Thammarat (P > 0.0071). Phylogenetic analysis allocated wild F. merguiensis to three groups, A (Gulf of Thailand), B (Trang) and C (Krabi). Admixture analysis did not reveal large mixing between different lineages of genotypes in each population. However, the Krabi population (west) mainly showed the eastern genetic lineage. A new domestication program was established by selecting shrimp from different genetic groups. High genetic diversity was found in founders (NA = 27.714 and AR = 14.137) and brooders of the second generation (NA = 24.571 and AR = 12.835). Currently, genome-wide association study (GWAS) of G2 shrimp exhibiting large and small sizes from four families is being carried out to analyze growth-related SNPs in this species.