Massive sequencing of Restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) segments for the identification of sex-related molecular markers in Characidium (Characiformes, Crenuchidae)

• Grant number: 13/01906-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: May 10, 2013
• End date: September 09, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Fausto Foresti
• Grantee: Priscilla Cardim Scacchetti
• Supervisor: Judith E. Mank
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University College London (UCL), England
• Associated to the scholarship: 10/19971-8 - Chromosome structure and karyological caracterization in the genus Characidium (TELEOSTEI, CHARACIFORMES, CRENUCHIDAE)., BP.DR

Abstract

The mechanisms and events responsible for the sex determination in vertebrates are quite different and can be influenced by environment and/or genetic causes. On the opposite way of the conservatism in superior vertebrates, sex chromosomes appeared several times in fishes and are fundamental to a better understanding of the mechanisms related to the sex determination in this group. Fishes of the genus Characidium, belonging to the Neotropical ichthyofauna, are a great model in studies concerning sex chromosomes, once, in this genus, species can exhibit heteromorphic sex chromosomes (ZZ/ZW) or do not show any sex-related chromosome polymorphisms. In this sense, the extensive identification of sex-related molecular markers in both groups will allow the association between distinct polymorphisms with the presence/absence of sex chromosomes. For this purpose, the massive sequencing of restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) will be performed in males and females individuals of species with (C. gomesi and C. pterostictum) and without (C. zebra) sex chromosomes, as a character to be investigated. The development of such molecular markers will provide some perspectives to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the sex determination in fishes of this genus. Such development of these simple, and non invasive, markers will be usefull in future studies of ecology, population demographics or even from the evolutionary processes in this group of animals. (AU)