Transcriptome analyses and differential gene expression in a non-model fish species with alternative mating tactics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social dominance is important for the reproductive success of males in many species. In the black-faced blenny (Tripterygion delaisi) during the reproductive season, some males change color and invest in nest making and defending a territory, whereas others do not change color and 'sneak' reproductions when females lay their eggs. Using RNAseq, we profiled differential gene expression between the brains of territorial males, sneaker males, and females to study the molecular signatures of male dimorphism.

Results

We found that more genes were differentially expressed between the two male phenotypes than between males and females, suggesting that during the reproductive period phenotypic plasticity is a more important factor in differential gene expression than sexu

SUBMITTER: Schunter C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4029132 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature