The genome of the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) provides insights into gigantism, fast growth and chromosomal sex determination system

Kang Du (1, 2, 3) , Sven Wuertz (4) , Mateus Adolfi (1) , Susanne Kneitz (1) , Matthias Stöck (4) , Marcos Oliveira (4, 5, 6) , Rafael Nóbrega (5, 6) , Jenny Ormanns (1) , Werner Kloas (4) , Romain Feron (7) , Christophe C. Klopp (8) , Hugues Parrinello (9) , Laurent Journot (9) , Shunping He (2) , John Postlethwait (10) , Axel Meyer (11) , Yann Guiguen (7) , Manfred Schartl (1, 12, 13)

1 Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter
2 Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Hydrobiology
3 UCAS - University of Chinese Academy of Sciences [Beijing]
4 IGB - Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
5 Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Morphology
6 UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho = São Paulo State University
7 LPGP - Laboratoire de Physiologie et Génomique des Poissons
8 MIAT INRA - Unité de Mathématiques et Informatique Appliquées de Toulouse
9 IGF MGX - Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle - Montpellier GenomiX
10 Institute of Neuroscience
11 Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology
12 Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken
13 Hagler Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology

We have sequenced the genome of the largest freshwater fish species of the world, the arapaima. Analysis of gene family dynamics and signatures of positive selection identified genes involved in the specific adaptations and unique features of this iconic species, in particular it’s large size and fast growth. Genome sequences from both sexes combined with RAD-tag analyses from other males and females led to the isolation of male-specific scaffolds and supports an XY sex determination system in arapaima. Whole transcriptome sequencing showed that the product of the gland-like secretory organ on the head surface of males and females may not only provide nutritional fluid for sex-unbiased parental care, but that the organ itself has a more specific function in males, which engage more in parental care.

Mots clés: Osteoglossidae; Arapaima; fish

Mots clés: poisson d'eau douce; séquençage; poisson; famille de gènes conservée; reproduction; expression des gènes; séquençage du génome; analyse phylogénomique; analyse du transcriptome

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Kang Du, Sven Wuertz, Mateus Adolfi, Susanne Kneitz, Matthias Stöck, et al.. The genome of the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) provides insights into gigantism, fast growth and chromosomal sex determination system. Scientific Reports, 2019, 9 (1), pp.1-11. ⟨10.1038/s41598-019-41457-x⟩. ⟨hal-02090589⟩