New insights from a transcriptome analysis: The genetic mechanisms underlying growth traits in giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus). Epinephelus lanceolatus

Background: Genetic improvement of growth-related traits is a major target of grouper aquaculture and breeding. The giant grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus, as one of the largest groupers, has excellent growth performance. However, genetic and genomic bases of growth-related traits have been rarely studied in this grouper strain. In this study, an F1 family of giant grouper was used for constructing linkage map and conducted quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for growth-related traits, along with RNA-seq analysis was also performed to investigate the genetic and molecular mechanism of growth variation in giant grouper.