Gill transcriptomic analysis in fast- and slow-growing individuals of Mytilus galloprovincialis

The molecular basis underlying the mechanisms at the origin of growth variation in bivalves is still poorly understood, although several genes have been described as upregulated in fast-growing individuals. In the present study, we reared mussel spat of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis under diets below the pseudofaeces threshold (BP) and above the pseudofaeces threshold (AP). After 3 months, F and S mussels from each condition were selected to obtain 4 experimental groups: FBP, SBP, FAP and SAP. We hypothesized that the nurturing conditions during the growing period would modify the molecular basis of their growth rate differences.