Genetics of salmonid skin pigmentation: clues and prospects for improving the external appearance of farmed salmonids

摘要

Skin color is an important commercial trait in fish farming, given that this phenotype influences consumer acceptance, thereby determining the commercial value that fish can reach. This character is genetically determined, either by monogenetic or polygenetic control. Over the past few years, progress has been made in studies of quantitative genetic parameters for commercially important traits related to skin pigmentation and, in the molecular field, the mapping and cloning of some genes involved in fish color determination. This study reviews information regarding the genetic determination of salmonid skin color, along with different strategies to improve this character. Data collected in model fish (medaka and zebrafish) are also considered since this information contributes considerably towards improving understanding of the genes that may participate, and of the mechanisms involved in establishing skin coloration in salmonids. Keywords Fish - Skin color - Chromatophores - Gene pigmentation - Salmon farming