ARS | Publication request: Microsatellite Development for a Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone Chrysops X M. Saxatilis) Selective Breeding Program

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: June 7, 2005
Publication Date: June 7, 2005
Citation: Couch, C., Garber, A., Abrams, J., Rexroad III, C.E., Westerman, M., Sullivan, C. 2005. Microsatellite development for a hybrid striped bass (morone chrysops x m. saxatilis) selective breeding program. Meeting Abstract. International Marine Biotechnology Conference, June 7 - 12, 2005, St. Johns, New Foundland, Canada.

Technical Abstract: Striped bass historically supported a valuable commercial fishing industry. More recently, an aquaculture industry has developed for hybrid striped bass (HSB), now the 4th most economically important finfish cultured in the USA. High production costs limit market expansion, and the industry has identified selective breeding as a means for improving production efficiency. Limited pond resources for larval rearing will necessitate a selective breeding program based on communal rearing of progeny for family performance comparisons. Such a program must utilize high resolution molecular markers such as microsatellites for progeny identification; however, a limited number of polymorphic markers are available for Morone species. To provide molecular tools necessary for selective breeding efforts, we created seven di-, tri- or tetranucleotide striped bass microsatellite libraries. Over 2100 clones were sequenced and PCR primers were designed for 579 unique loci. To date, PCR amplification has been successful for 223 of 260 loci tested. Polymorphism screening is underway using a diverse DNA panel of 12 striped bass sampled across the geographic range of the species as well as several domesticated fish. Of 92 markers screened for polymorphism, 90 amplified in striped bass and 52 had greater than 5 alleles per locus. Markers also were evaluated for cross-species amplification in six white bass (maternal parent of HSB) and were tested in two HSB. Development of new polymorphic microsatellite markers will support implementation of a communal rearing approach for selective breeding of Morone species and may facilitate future linkage mapping efforts.