Logo image
Back
A Draft Male Genome Assembly of the Slipper Lobster (Thenus australiensis) Reveals an XY System and a Validated Diagnostic Marker for Monosex Aquaculture
Dataset   Open access

A Draft Male Genome Assembly of the Slipper Lobster (Thenus australiensis) Reveals an XY System and a Validated Diagnostic Marker for Monosex Aquaculture

Gia-Huy Ha, Hang Tran, Duc-Phuc Tran, N T Le, Susan Glendinning, Quinn Fitzgibbon, Gregory Smith, Volker Herzig, Phuc-Loi Luu and Tomer Ventura
Figshare
Digital Science
2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.32597610
zip
32597610954.79 MBDownloadView
Data Open Access CC BY V4.0
url
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.32597610View
Data Open

Is supplemented by

Abstract

Developmental genetics (incl. sex determination) Genomics slipper lobster genome sex determination diagnostic PCR marker monosex aquaculture
The slipper lobster (Thenus australiensis) is rapidly emerging as a high-potential species for commercial aquaculture. Because females exhibit superior growth characteristics due to less frequent moulting after sexual maturity, developing monosex breeding strategies is highly desirable for industry profitability. However, the lack of genomic resources and early sex-identification tools has hindered this development. Here, we report the first draft male genome assembly for T. australiensis, generated using a combination of whole-genome shotgun sequencing, DArT-seq, and multi-tissue transcriptomics. The curated assembly spans 0.913 Gbp with high functional completeness (93.0% BUSCO), providing a robust repertoire of 30,100 protein-coding genes. Through k-mer subtraction and population-level DArT-seq genotyping, we provide definitive evidence that T. australiensis utilizes an XX/XY sex-determination system. Crucially, by identifying male-specific structural variations within a neo-Y locus, we developed a diagnostic PCR assay targeting a male-exclusive sequence. This 171 bp marker achieved 100% accuracy in phenotypic sex identification across wild-caught populations. Ultimately, these foundational genomic resources, combined with a highly reliable molecular sexing tool, provide the critical framework necessary for early sex sorting, broodstock management, and the commercial advancement of monosex slipper lobster farming.

Details

Metrics

1 Record Views
Logo image