A time-course transcriptome analysis revealing the potential molecular mechanism of gonadal differentiation in the Chinese giant salamander

The Chinese giant salamander (CGS) is the largest extant amphibian and has recently become an important species for aquaculture with high economic value. Meanwhile, its wild populations and diversity call for urgent protection. Exploring the early gonadal differentiation mechanism of CGS would contribute to the development of CGS aquaculture and the recovery of its wild population. However, there is still a lack of research on the key time points of early gonadal differentiation in CGS. This study conducted transcriptomic and phenotypic study on the critical time points of early gonadal differentiation of CGS.