Abstract
A common aim in biological research, linking genotype with phenotype, and has seen dramatic taxonomic diversification in recent years as new genomic technologies have enabled genomic approaches to be conducted in almost any species. However, such diversification is not as apparent when it comes to understanding the molecular processes by which genotypes are translated to ecologically-relevant phenotypes, especially considering loci associated with life-history traits. Age-at-maturity is closely linked to fitness in many species, with the timing of maturation often involving trade-offs among its component traits and those it affects. Delayed maturation can lead to larger body size, higher fecundity and increased offspring survival, but longer generation times can carry an increased mortality risk prior to reproduction by prolonging pre-maturity life stages. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Atlantic salmon earlier identified a single locus that associates strongly with age-at-maturity (sea-age), and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located near the gene vgll3 (vestigial-like family member 3) explained 39 % of the phenotypic variation in maturation age. The relatively simple genetic architecture of this trait combined with the features of Atlantic salmon as a model system offer a good opportunity to better understand the molecular mechanisms and ecological drivers underlying this locally adapted life history trait.
In this talk, I will summarize recent work in my group aiming to i) characterize age at maturity candidate gene functions and allelic effects on the phenotype, ii) elucidate the fitness effects of these phenotypes and GxE interactions, iii) use of this knowledge for conserving the large, late maturing components of populations."
Speaker
Craig R. Primmer from the University of Helsinki, Finland.
Please note that Craig is visiting us here at IBV/CEES and this seminar will take place in person in the Terrarium seminar room 3515. There will be no hybrid solutions this year for the seminar series, so do please add the event to your agenda. This is the LAST seminar of 2022, so do come!