Genetics of Antarctic Krill

Abstract

From a genetic perspective, Euphausia superba (krill) can be described as a non-model organism with a large genome and a large population size. The population genetics of krill has been studied extensively and a consensus on population structure is now emerging. Some preliminary characterization of the krill genome has been accomplished, but the genome is too large to sequence with current technologies. The major genetic resources currently available for krill are transcriptome assemblies and DNA sequences for specific regions. Genetic technologies have advanced rapidly in the past decade and a range of new genetic approaches for studying krill population genetics, physiology, gene function and ecology are now available. Several krill gene expression studies in recent years have revealed genes involved in a range of physiological processes and highlight the potential of this approach for answering a range of questions in krill biology. The rapid expansion in genetic methods available for studying non-model organisms like krill means many new questions can be addressed with these approaches. This is an exciting time for geneticists and krill biologists considering these questions.