Development of SNP panels for population genetics analyses of domestic and wild white bass (Morone chrysops)

Authors: ZHAO, HONGGANG - Auburn University; Fuller, Adam; THONGDA, WILAWAN - Auburn University; Abernathy, Jason; Beck, Benjamin; PEATMAN, ERIC - Auburn University

Submitted to: Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2018
Publication Date: 10/21/2018
Citation: Zhao, H., Fuller, S.A., Thongda, W., Abernathy, J.W., Beck, B.H., Peatman, E. 2018. Development of SNP panels for population genetics analyses of domestic and wild white bass (Morone chrysops)[abstract]. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, October 21-24, 2018, Mobile, Alabama. p. 1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: White bass, striped bass, and their interspecific hybrid are important game fishes, while the hybrid striped bass is additionally an important aquaculture species in the United States. Numerous state, federal, and private hatcheries, therefore, rear these species for stocking as well as food fish growout. While striped bass populations (both wild and domestic) have been extensively evaluated, relatively little effort has been directed toward the study and improvement of white bass. Genetic markers are critical for evaluating population diversity, detecting inbreeding, differentiating unknown individuals by population origin, and, ultimately, selecting for performance traits. In this study, we examined genetic relationships between a domestic white bass line and five wild populations collected from drainages in Arkansas, Texas, and Alabama. A cost-effective genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) method was carried out for in-depth genetic analysis, generating 13,872 genome-wide SNP loci represented across six populations. Stringent filtering of SNP-calling parameters indicated 426 highly informative SNP loci. Population genetic and structure analyses using these loci revealed moderate genetic differentiation between domestic and wild populations (Fst > 0.086) but six clear population clusters. A final set of 57 SNPs was selected for assay design and validation using 96 additional samples. The developed SNP panels could clearly discriminate between domestic stocks and wild-sourced individuals. This study demonstrated the utility of GBS techniques for SNP discovery and the relatively small number of SNPs needed for inference of population structure in white bass. The SNP resources developed in this study should facilitate breeding, genetic tagging, and conservation of white bass.