Multiple interacting QTLs affect disease challenge survival in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Area of Science:

• Aquaculture genetics
• Fish disease resistance
• Genomics

Background:

• Aquaculture faces challenges from infectious diseases, impacting food security.
• Cyprinid herpes virus-3 (CyHV-3) significantly affects common carp production.
• Disease-resistant breeding is a sustainable solution for aquaculture.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify and validate genetic factors (QTLs) for CyHV-3 resistance in common carp.
• Understand the genetic architecture of disease survival.
• Explore the introgression of resistance alleles from feral strains.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) to identify novel QTLs.
• Validation of QTL effects across 14 common carp families.
• Analysis of additive, dominant, and epistatic QTL effects on survival.

Main Results:

• Two novel QTLs for CyHV-3 survival were identified, distinct from previously found QTLs.
• Survival is a quantitative trait influenced by additive QTL effects and complex interactions.
• Both rare and common alleles from feral strains contribute to enhanced survival.

Conclusions:

• Genetic introgression from feral common carp strains offers advantages for breeding disease resistance.
• Understanding QTLs is crucial for improving common carp breeding programs.
• Further research is needed to explore between-family variation in disease resistance.