Genomic consequences of domestication and the diversification of body coloration and morphology in ornamental medaka strains.

ABSTRACT: Ornamental medaka strains derived from wild Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes species complex) are bred worldwide. Over 200 years of selective breeding have produced over 700 strains with a wide variety of phenotypes, including diverse body coloration, scales, eyeball morphology, and fin and body shapes. In this study, we first identified and described 34 phenotypes in ornamental medaka strains. To understand the genomic basis of this phenotypic diversity and the domestication process, we performed whole-genome sequencing on 181 individuals of 86 ornamental Japanese medaka strains. Population genomic analyses revealed that modern ornamental medaka strains are genetically closer to the wild Southern Japan population of the Kansai-Setouchi regions, suggesting the origin of ornamental strains.

SUBMITTER: Kon T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12915790 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature