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Using RAD ‐seq to recognize sex‐specific markers and sex chromosome systems
Author(s) -
Gamble Tony
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1111/mec.13648
Subject(s) - biology , sexing , genetics , w chromosome , dna sequencing , genetic marker , evolutionary biology , sexual differentiation , molecular marker , y chromosome , microsatellite , chromosome , computational biology , gene , karyotype , allele
Next‐generation sequencing methods have initiated a revolution in molecular ecology and evolution (Tautz et al . [Tautz D, 2010]). Among the most impressive of these sequencing innovations is restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing or RAD ‐seq (Baird et al . [Baird NA, 2008]; Andrews et al . [Andrews KR, 2016]). RAD ‐seq uses the Illumina sequencing platform to sequence fragments of DNA cut by a specific restriction enzyme and can generate tens of thousands of molecular genetic markers for analysis. One of the many uses of RAD ‐seq data has been to identify sex‐specific genetic markers, markers found in one sex but not the other (Baxter et al . [Baxter SW, 2011]; Gamble & Zarkower [Gamble T, 2014]). Sex‐specific markers are a powerful tool for biologists. At their most basic, they can be used to identify the sex of an individual via PCR . This is useful in cases where a species lacks obvious sexual dimorphism at some or all life history stages. For example, such tests have been important for studying sex differences in life history (Sheldon [Sheldon BC, 1998]; Mossman & Waser [Mossman C, 1999]), the management and breeding of endangered species (Taberlet et al . [Taberlet P, 1993]; Griffiths & Tiwari [Griffiths R, 1995]; Robertson et al . [Robertson BC, 2006]) and sexing embryonic material (Hacker et al . [Hacker A, 1995]; Smith et al . [Smith CA, 1999]). Furthermore, sex‐specific markers allow recognition of the sex chromosome system in cases where standard cytogenetic methods fail (Charlesworth & Mank [Charlesworth D, 2010]; Gamble & Zarkower [Gamble T, 2014]). Thus, species with male‐specific markers have male heterogamety ( XY ) while species with female‐specific markers have female heterogamety ( ZW ). In this issue, Fowler & Buonaccorsi ([Fowler BL, 2016]) illustrate the ease by which RAD ‐seq data can generate sex‐specific genetic markers in rockfish ( Sebastes ). Moreover, by examining RAD ‐seq data from two closely related rockfish species, Sebastes chrysomelas and Sebastes carnatus (Fig. [Figure 1. Two Pacific rockfish species with XY sex chromosome systems ...]), Fowler & Buonaccorsi ([Fowler BL, 2016]) uncover shared sex‐specific markers and a conserved sex chromosome system.