Omics in Economic Aquatic Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Welfare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 6600

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524091, China
Interests: fish; omics; breeding; genetics; environmental stressors; sex determination; reproductive biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquatic animals provide a large amount of food biomass and high-quality nutrients, making it necessary to conduct genetic improvement research on more aquatic animals. Omics research (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) has focused on various aquaculture research areas, targeting different aspects, including physiology and endocrinology, genetic breeding, nutrition, environmental stress response, disease, and health management. These technologies are increasingly used to study economic aquatic animals. We are particularly interested in integrating a wide range of omics data to carefully analyze and interpret the genetic mechanisms of important economic traits in economic aquatic animals. The scope of this Special Issue of Animals covers the latest advances in the study of omics in economic aquatic animals. Submissions may include original reports, reviews, perspectives, and methodology articles.

Dr. Changxu Tian
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aquatic animals
  • economic traits
  • omics
  • next-generation sequencing

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
Comparative Transcriptomics and Intestinal Microbiome Analysis Provide Insights into the Semi-Terrestrial Adaptation of Helice tientsinensis
by Zhengfei Wang, Lijie Cui, Xinyu Wang, Chenchen Shen, Yan Wang, Weijie Jiang and Yue Gu
Animals 2025, 15(9), 1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15091244 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 151
Abstract
Helice tientsinensis, a Grapsidae family member, can adapt to terrestrial and semi-terrestrial environments. This study used transcriptomic and microbiome analyses to explore its adaptation mechanisms. Transcriptome analysis showed gene changes related to cytoskeleton–motor, water–osmotic pressure, and energy metabolism. For example, DST was [...] Read more.
Helice tientsinensis, a Grapsidae family member, can adapt to terrestrial and semi-terrestrial environments. This study used transcriptomic and microbiome analyses to explore its adaptation mechanisms. Transcriptome analysis showed gene changes related to cytoskeleton–motor, water–osmotic pressure, and energy metabolism. For example, DST was upregulated in the aquatic environment compared to the semi-terrestrial one, and SPAST was downregulated in some groups. ATP2A and SLC6A3 were upregulated with osmotic regulation, and IDH3 was upregulated when comparing the aquatic and semi-terrestrial habitats; at the same time, many energy-related genes were downregulated between the terrestrial and semi-terrestrial habitats. Regarding the gut microbiota, no significant differences in alpha diversity were found between habitats, but there were differences at the genus level. Pseudomonas and Malaciobacter were more abundant in the aquatic habitat, and Dietzia in the semi-terrestrial one. These results provide insights into H. tientsinensis’ terrestrial adaptation, benefiting crustacean evolution study and aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Omics in Economic Aquatic Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1096 KiB  
Article
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Hexagrammos otakii Provides Insights into Its Genomic Characteristics and Population Dynamics
by Dong Liu, Xiaolong Wang, Jifa Lü, Yijing Zhu, Yuxia Jian, Xue Wang, Fengxiang Gao, Li Li and Fawen Hu
Animals 2025, 15(6), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15060782 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 417
Abstract
Hexagrammos otakii, also commonly called “Fat Greenling”, is highly valued as an important commercial fish due to its extremely delicious flesh. However, the absence of a genomic resource has limited our understanding of its genetic characteristics and hindered artificial breeding efforts. In [...] Read more.
Hexagrammos otakii, also commonly called “Fat Greenling”, is highly valued as an important commercial fish due to its extremely delicious flesh. However, the absence of a genomic resource has limited our understanding of its genetic characteristics and hindered artificial breeding efforts. In this study, we performed Illumina paired-end sequencing of H. otakii, generating a total of 73.19 Gb of clean data. Based on K-mer analysis, the genome size was estimated to be 679.23 Mb, with a heterozygosity rate of 0.68% and a repeat sequence proportion of 43.60%. De novo genome assembly using SOAPdenovo2 resulted in a draft genome size of 723.31 Mb, with the longest sequence length being 86.24 Kb. Additionally, the mitochondrial genome was also assembled, which was 16,513 bp in size, with a GC content of 47.20%. Minisatellites were the most abundant tandem repeats in the H. otakii genome, followed by microsatellites. In the phylogenetic tree, H. otakii was placed within a well-supported clade (bootstrap support = 100%) that included S. sinica, N. coibor, L. crocea, and C. lucidus. PSMC analysis revealed that H. otakii underwent a population bottleneck during the Pleistocene, peaking around 500 thousand years ago (Kya) and declining to a minimum during the Last Glacial Period (~70–15 Kya), with no significant recovery observed by ~10 Kya. This study was a comprehensive genome survey analysis of H. otakii, providing insights into its genomic characteristics and population dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Omics in Economic Aquatic Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 4666 KiB  
Article
Transcriptional Rearrangements Associated with Thermal Stress and Preadaptation in Baikal Whitefish (Coregonus baicalensis)
by Yulia P. Sapozhnikova, Anastasiya G. Koroleva, Tuyana V. Sidorova, Sergey A. Potapov, Alexander A. Epifantsev, Evgenia A. Vakhteeva, Lyubov I. Tolstikova, Olga Yu. Glyzina, Vera M. Yakhnenko, Valeria M. Cherezova and Lyubov V. Sukhanova
Animals 2024, 14(21), 3077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213077 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1420
Abstract
In this work, we describe the transcriptional profiles of preadapted and non-adapted one-month-old juvenile Baikal whitefish after heat shock exposure. Preadapted fish were exposed to a repeated thermal rise of 6 °C above the control temperature every three days throughout their embryonic development. [...] Read more.
In this work, we describe the transcriptional profiles of preadapted and non-adapted one-month-old juvenile Baikal whitefish after heat shock exposure. Preadapted fish were exposed to a repeated thermal rise of 6 °C above the control temperature every three days throughout their embryonic development. One month after hatching, preadapted and non-adapted larvae were either kept at control temperatures (12 °C) or exposed to an acute thermal stress (TS) of 12 °C above the control temperature. In response to this acute stress, an increase in HSP gene expression (HSP-30, HSP-40, HSP-47, HSP-70, and HSP-90) and TRIM16 was detected, independent of preadaptation. The expression levels of genes responsible for the response to oxygen levels, growth factors and the immune response, HBA, HBB, Myosin VI, Myosin VII, MHC, Plumieribetin, TnI, CYP450, and LDB3 were higher in individuals that had previously undergone adaptation. Genes responsible for the regulation of metabolism, MtCK, aFGF, ARF, CRYGB, and D-DT, however, increased their activity in non-adapted individuals. This information on transcriptional profiles will contribute to further understanding of the mechanisms of adaptation of whitefish to their environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Omics in Economic Aquatic Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2396 KiB  
Article
Acclimation during Embryogenesis Remodulates Telomerase Activity and Gene Expression in Baikal Whitefish Larvae, Mitigating the Effects of Acute Temperature Stress
by Anastasiya G. Koroleva, Eugenia A. Vakhteeva, Alexander A. Epifantsev, Lyubov V. Sukhanova, Vera M. Yakhnenko, Olga Yu. Glyzina, Lyubov I. Tolstikova, Valeria M. Cherezova, Tuyana V. Sidorova, Sergey A. Potapov, Sergey V. Kirilchik and Yulia P. Sapozhnikova
Animals 2024, 14(19), 2839; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192839 - 2 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1450
Abstract
Acclimation through the hormesis effect increases the plasticity of organisms, which has been shown for many ectothermic animals, including fish. We investigated the effect of temperature acclimation in Baikal whitefish Coregonus baicalensis (Dybowski, 1874). Telomere length, telomerase activity, and the expression of genes, [...] Read more.
Acclimation through the hormesis effect increases the plasticity of organisms, which has been shown for many ectothermic animals, including fish. We investigated the effect of temperature acclimation in Baikal whitefish Coregonus baicalensis (Dybowski, 1874). Telomere length, telomerase activity, and the expression of genes, whose products are involved in the regulation of telomere length and defense against reactive oxygen species, were selected to assess the state of the larvae. Acclimation and acute temperature stress (+12 °C) had no effect on telomere length, but altered telomerase activity (acclimation decreased it; stress increased it) and the levels of genes expression. Under stress, the expression of superoxide dismutase genes was increased in acclimated larvae and that of glutathione peroxidases in non-acclimated larvae, which may indicate lower reactive oxygen species formation and slower antioxidant responses in acclimated fish. The expression of some telomere-related genes was reduced under temperature stress, but the expression of the tzap and smg genes, whose products improve the control of telomere length by preventing them from lengthening or shortening, was increased in acclimated individuals. The data obtained indicate a positive effect of acclimation on the state of the Baikal whitefish larvae by remodulation of their telomerase activity and the transcriptional profile. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Omics in Economic Aquatic Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5539 KiB  
Article
Effects of Chronic Heat Stress on Growth, Apoptosis, Antioxidant Enzymes, Transcriptomic Profiles, and Immune-Related Genes of Hong Kong Catfish (Clarias fuscus)
by Yong Liu, Changxu Tian, Zhihua Yang, Cailin Huang, Kaizhi Jiao, Lei Yang, Cunyu Duan, Zhixin Zhang and Guangli Li
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071006 - 26 Mar 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2328
Abstract
Chronic heat stress can have detrimental effects on the survival of fish. This study aimed to investigate the impact of prolonged high temperatures on the growth, antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, and transcriptome analysis of Hong Kong catfish (Clarias fuscus). By analyzing the [...] Read more.
Chronic heat stress can have detrimental effects on the survival of fish. This study aimed to investigate the impact of prolonged high temperatures on the growth, antioxidant capacity, apoptosis, and transcriptome analysis of Hong Kong catfish (Clarias fuscus). By analyzing the morphological statistics of C. fuscus subjected to chronic high-temperature stress for 30, 60, and 90 days, it was observed that the growth of C. fuscus was inhibited compared to the control group. The experimental group showed a significant decrease in body weight and body length compared to the control group after 60 and 90 days of high-temperature stress (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). A biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in the activities of three antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase activity (SOD); catalase activity (CAT); glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx), the malondialdehyde content (MDA), and the concentrations of serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP); Aspartate aminotransferase (AST); and alanine transaminase (ALT) in the liver. TUNEL staining indicated stronger apoptotic signals in the high-temperature-stress group compared to the control group, suggesting that chronic high-temperature-induced oxidative stress, leading to liver tissue injury and apoptosis. Transcriptome analysis identified a total of 1330 DEGs, with 835 genes being upregulated and 495 genes being downregulated compared to the control group. These genes may be associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis, and immune response. The findings elucidate the growth changes in C. fuscus under chronic high temperature and provide insights into the underlying response mechanisms to a high-temperature environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Omics in Economic Aquatic Animals)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop