The genetic architecture of phenotypic diversity in the Betta fish ().
Wanchang Zhang, Hongru Wang, Débora Y C Brandt, Beijuan Hu, Junqing Sheng, Mengnan Wang, Haijiang Luo, Yahui Li, Shujie Guo, Bin Sheng, Qi Zeng, Kou Peng, Daxian Zhao, Shaoqing Jian, Di Wu, Junhua Wang, Guang Zhao, Jun Ren, Wentian Shi, Joep H M van Esch, Sirawut Klingunga, Rasmus Nielsen, Yijiang Hong
Author Information
Wanchang Zhang: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Hongru Wang: Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. ORCID
Débora Y C Brandt: Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. ORCID
Beijuan Hu: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Junqing Sheng: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
Mengnan Wang: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Haijiang Luo: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Yahui Li: Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA. ORCID
Shujie Guo: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Bin Sheng: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
Qi Zeng: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China.
Kou Peng: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Daxian Zhao: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Shaoqing Jian: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Di Wu: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Junhua Wang: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Guang Zhao: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
Jun Ren: College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
Wentian Shi: Faculty of Philosophy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72074, Germany.
Joep H M van Esch: Biology and Medical Laboratory Research, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam 3015, Netherlands.
Sirawut Klingunga: Aquatic Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.
Rasmus Nielsen: Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. ORCID
Yijiang Hong: School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China. ORCID
The Betta fish displays a remarkable variety of phenotypes selected during domestication. However, the genetic basis underlying these traits remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly and resequencing of 727 individuals representing diverse morphotypes of the Betta fish. We show that current breeds have a complex domestication history with extensive introgression with wild species. Using a genome-wide association study, we identify the genetic basis of multiple traits, including coloration patterns, the "Dumbo" phenotype with pectoral fin outgrowth, extraordinary enlargement of body size that we map to a major locus on chromosome 8, the sex determination locus that we map to , and the long-fin phenotype that maps to the locus containing . We also identify a polygenic signal related to aggression, involving multiple neural system-related genes such as , , and . Our study provides a resource for developing the Betta fish as a genetic model for morphological and behavioral research in vertebrates.
