Topic Editors

Key Laboratory of Integrated Rice-Fish Farming, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
Dr. Zhihui Sun
Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in the North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
Dr. Jun Zhang
Engineering Technology Research Center of Healthy Aquaculture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China

Sex Differentiation Mechanisms in Aquatic Species

Abstract submission deadline
31 October 2026
Manuscript submission deadline
31 January 2027
Viewed by
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sex differentiation is a fundamental biological process that determines whether an organism develops as a male, female, or hermaphrodite. Pronounced sexual dimorphism in growth rate, body size, and gonadal development is frequently observed across aquatic species. Furthermore, the strong market demand for the mature gonads of species such as sturgeon, crabs, and sea urchins makes controlling the sex of these organisms an important breeding objective in aquaculture. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation is essential not only for developmental and evolutionary biology, but also sex-control technologies that can improve aquaculture productivity and efficiency.

Rapid progress in high-throughput sequencing, genome editing, and multi-omics technologies has greatly accelerated research on key regulatory genes, epigenetic pathways, endocrine signals, and environmental factors involved in sex differentiation. These advances have deepened our understanding of the molecular and cellular foundations of sexual development in various aquatic species and enabled applications such as sex-controlled breeding, germ cell manipulation, and sustainable aquaculture production.

This Special Issue welcomes studies that provide new insights into the molecular, cellular, developmental, and environmental mechanisms underlying sex differentiation in aquatic species, including both vertebrates and invertebrates. Contributions employing genomics, transcriptomics, epigenetics, cell culture, functional assays, comparative analyses, or innovative breeding strategies are particularly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Mingyou Li
Dr. Zhihui Sun
Dr. Jun Zhang
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • sex determination and sex differentiation
  • germ cell and gonad development
  • vertebrate and invertebrate reproductive biology
  • environmental influences on sex differentiation
  • sex-controlled and unisexual breeding in aquaculture
  • germ cell manipulation, transplantation, and surrogate reproduction

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Animals
animals
2.7 5.2 2011 17.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Aquaculture Journal
aquacj
- - 2021 16.3 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Biology
biology
3.5 7.4 2012 17.4 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Fishes
fishes
2.4 3.0 2016 20.9 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Life
life
3.4 6.0 2011 19.3 Days CHF 2600 Submit

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