Pedigree Traceability in Shrimp with Microsatellites Developed By NGS

The whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the most important aquaculture species in the world. Selective breeding is being done to improve growth, survivability, and other heritable traits. Genetic markers are needed to delineate and trace the pedigree of broodstock and progenies. More than 80 microsatellite loci obtained by 454 pyrosequencing were found, of which 14 were characterized in a wild population sample. Mean genetic diversity was 11.8 alleles per locus (range 5-20), 0.84 expected heterozygosity (range 0.69-0.91), and 0.80 Polymorphic Information Content (range 0.62-.92). These polymorphic markers are tested for parentage assignment for the recognition of selected families and stocks on mixed aquaculture ponds. They are also useful for mating designs to avoid inbreeding, and for genetic diversity surveillance in cultured and wild populations.