Effects of inbreeding on growth, gametogenesis, gonad production, quality and MYP expression in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

The sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius is a good model to investigate the potential inbreeding depression of introduced marine echinoderms from the views of ecological management and aquaculture. Here, we found significant inbreeding depression in gametogenesis, gonad sweetness and MYP expression of S. intermedius in one generation of full-sibling inbreeding but not in the traits of test size, body weight and gonad weight and gonad color. These results clearly indicate that gametogenesis and gonad sweetness are sensitive and vulnerable to inbreeding depression, providing evidence of the importance of avoiding inbreeding in artificial breeding programs of sea urchins. The present study provides valuable information and direct applications into the aquaculture of sea urchins.