Identification of sex-biased and gonadal developmental miRNAs during critical windows of gonadal differentiation in the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus)

The Chinese giant salamander (CGS), Andrias davidianus, the largest living amphibian, is of significant conservation importance for its wild populations and serves as a valuable economic species in aquaculture. Given that male CGS are larger than female, understanding the mechanisms behind gonadal differentiation and development is critical for optimizing production in aquaculture. This study conducted small RNA-seq on male and female gonads during two key differentiation windows in CGS.