Larval development of Pinctada margaritifera

Metamorphosis of bivalves such as the pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera is a complex mechanism during which larvae switch from pelagic free-life to sessile mature individual. Cultured pearl industry constitutes an important economic resource in French Polynesia. Recently, development of hatchery mass production for this species have started to supply selected spat for pearl farm, instead of collecting them from wild. Phenotypic larvae development is well known, but the underlying molecular mechanisms such as gene expression dynamic, that lead the transition between the different developmental stages remains unclear. We designed a whole transcriptome RNA-sequencing analysis to describe such gene expression dynamic following the larvae development on four key stages: D-shaped, Veliger, Umbo and Eye-spot larvae. Biomineralization, immune system and sensory perception genes have been especially investigated. These knowledges could be useful for setting up genomic selection program for P. margaritifera.