MICROSATELLITE ANALYSIS OF GENETIC VARIATION IN THE FAST GROWTH FAMILIES OF THE 2^nd GENERATION OF TEGILLARCA GRANOSA AND CORRELATION WITH GROWTH TRAITS

In this study, microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic structure and genetic diversity of the second generation of Tegillarca granosa. In addition, the correlation of these markers with growth-related traits was assessed to explore their potential use for marker-assisted breeding. Genome-wide identification and structural analysis herein led to detect 59 alleles through 18 pairs of primers. Among these, the average values of alleles (N_a) in the families of F19, F21, and F22 were 2.500, 2.722, and 2.722, respectively. The average observed heterozygosity (H_o) was 0.446, 0.510, and 0.628; the average expected heterozygosity (H_e) was 0.394, 0.433, and 0.464, respectively. In addition, the corresponding values of polymorphism information content (PIC) were 0.346, 0.379, and 0.403, respectively. Correlation analyses of these polymorphic markers and growth traits revealed significant association of three loci with shell height, shell length, shell width, and total weight. Specifically, genotype BB of Teg-30 in F19 was remarkably associated with shell height and total weight, while genotype BB of Teg-03 and genotype BC of Teg-20 in F21 showed a significant correlation with the shell height, shell length, shell width, and total weight. As a result, the growth-related markers, identified in the present study, may provide precious genetic information and novel insights for molecular marker-assisted breeding of T. granosa.