GENOME SIZE OF AQUATIC ANIMALS OF ECONOMIC AND BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

The genome size, or the mass of nuclear DNA, is one of the most accurate features for characterizing biological organisms. Each species has a specific value, thus, any changes in this value may indicate genetic variations. Genome size assessments for aquaculture species is the most precise tool for identifying hybrids, polyploidy, sex identification if sex chromosomes are present, and effects of diseases or genotoxins.

Baja California is the most northwest state in Mexico and is located on the second longest-peninsula on earth.  Therefore, Baja California has abundant wildlife diversity, with endemic aquatic species offering great aquaculture potential.  The aquatic resources have always been culturally important and substantial economic gains have been due to fisheries and aquaculture activities. For example, in 2013, the annual production by fisheries was ~122 thousand tons representing 78% of the national fishery production, with ~7 thousand tons from aquaculture. Until now, no regional or national efforts have been made to establish genome size any of these species. Thus, the objective of this project was to begin the process of building the first genome size catalog of the aquatic animals of economic and biological importance in Baja California. Blood, hemolymph or sperm samples from 10 organisms per species were collected and analyzed after staining DNA by using an Attune^® Flow Cytometer with a laser configuration Blue/Violet (488 and 405 nm respectively). Approximately 10,000 nuclei per sample were acquired from each in triplicate. The genome size (Table 1) was calculated with a 0.001 standard deviation using appropriate internal controls handled similarly. No significant differences among individuals of the same species were found (P > 0.5). Genome size from target organisms was similar to the genome sizes reported in the International Animal Genome Size Database (www.genomesize.com <http://www.genomesize.com>).  Thus, the Aquatic Species Germplasm Center at CISESE now has begun the necessary steps to serve as a true genetic resource center for Mexico and the world, whereby critical aquatic species lines can be conserved for future use.  Ecosystem services and economic development and will be advanced.