Identification and characterization of candidate genes influencing salinity tolerance in Macrobrachium australiense : a model for the molecular basis of colonization of low ionic environments

Climate change models suggest increased sea levels will alter salinity gradients within coastal freshwater systems. This project aimed to identify candidate genes involved with osmoregulation in an endemic Australian freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium australiense, to understand the molecular basis of adaptation to low ionic environments. Next generation sequencing was used to identify important genes and functional mutations that underpin osmoregulation. These genes were tested by maintaining prawns under different salinity conditions to validate their osmoregulatory roles. Results indicate this species is able to tolerate a range of salinities and will be able to cope in salinity levels under climate change scenarios