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  4. Genome Sequencing

Genome Sequencing

The genome of an organism is the collection of genes that are organized in chromosomes and that contain the genetic material necessary for its development, growth and maintenance. The genome sequence therefore contains information on all the genes present in the genome, namely their DNA sequence and location in the genome. The IPHC has recently generated the first reference genome for the Pacific halibut (Jasonowicz et al., 2022). The Pacific halibut genome contains 24 chromosomes and is approximately 602 million base pairs in size (for reference, the current reference genome for humans also contains 24 chromosomes but is much larger at 3.1 billion base pairs in size). Additionally, the Pacific halibut genome is annotated; that is, the genomic location and function of 26,772 protein-coding genes have also been identified though this effort. In the first application of the genome, the IPHC identified a potential master sex-determining region on chromosome 9 (Jasonowicz et al., 2022). Currently, the IPHC is using the reference genome to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to understand the genetic population structure of Pacific halibut in IPHC Convention waters. This resource will allow the identification of genomic regions and genes that are responsible for temporal and spatial adaptive and phenotypic characteristics and better understand genetic and evolutionary changes that occur in response to environmental and fisheries-related influences. The genome is an essential resource for understanding possible changes in the genetic constitution of the Pacific halibut population. Importantly, the genome sequence will also assist in understanding the genetic basis of growth, reproductive performance, migratory behavior, etc. in this species. Ultimately, the genome sequence of the Pacific halibut will provide the means to link genotype and phenotype in this species.

DNA image

 

Pacific halibut genome assembly

Genome size

602.1 Mb

Total ungapped length

601.8 Mb

Number of chromosomes

24

Number of organelles

1

Number of scaffolds

52

Scaffold N50

27.3 Mb

Scaffold L50

11

Number of contigs

1,183

Contig N50

4.6 Mb

Contig L50

38

GC percent

42

Genome coverage

91.0x

Assembly level

Chromosome

Table. Metrics of the Pacific halibut genome assembly

Links:

Link to publication (open access): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1755-0998.13641

Browse the Pacific halibut genome: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/gdv/browser/genome/?id=GCF_022539355.2

 

References:

Jasonowicz, A.J., Simeon, A., Zahm, M., Cabau, C., Klopp, C., Roques, C., Iampietro, C., Lluch, J., Donnadieu, C., Parrinello, H., Drinan, D.P., Hauser, L., Guiguen, Y., and Planas, J. V. 2022. Generation of a chromosome‐level genome assembly for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) and characterization of its sex‐determining genomic region. Mol. Ecol. Resour. 22(7): 2685–2700. doi:10.1111/1755-0998.13641.

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In this Section

Migration and Population Dynamics

Generation of genomic resources

Gear modifications for bycatch reduction

Fishing technology

Discard survival assessment in the guided recreational Pacific halibut fishery

Discard survival assessment in the commercial Pacific halibut fishery

Economic Research

Management Strategy Evaluation

Stock Assessment

FISS – Catch Per Unit Effort

In this Section

Vessel Recruiting

Vessel Recruiting As an IPHC charter vessel operator, the annual Fishery-Independent

Design and Implementation

IPHC Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) The purpose of the FISS

Biological and Ecosystem Science Research

Since its inception, the IPHC has had a long history

Tag Recovery and Reward

A reward of a hat or $10 is offered for most recovered