- Zhang, Wanchang;
- Wang, Hongru;
- Brandt, Débora YC;
- Hu, Beijuan;
- Sheng, Junqing;
- Wang, Mengnan;
- Luo, Haijiang;
- Li, Yahui;
- Guo, Shujie;
- Sheng, Bin;
- Zeng, Qi;
- Peng, Kou;
- Zhao, Daxian;
- Jian, Shaoqing;
- Wu, Di;
- Wang, Junhua;
- Zhao, Guang;
- Ren, Jun;
- Shi, Wentian;
- van Esch, Joep HM;
- Klingunga, Sirawut;
- Nielsen, Rasmus;
- Hong, Yijiang
The Betta fish displays a remarkable variety of phenotypes selected during domestication. However, the genetic basis underlying these traits remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a high-quality genome assembly and resequencing of 727 individuals representing diverse morphotypes of the Betta fish. We show that current breeds have a complex domestication history with extensive introgression with wild species. Using a genome-wide association study, we identify the genetic basis of multiple traits, including coloration patterns, the "Dumbo" phenotype with pectoral fin outgrowth, extraordinary enlargement of body size that we map to a major locus on chromosome 8, the sex determination locus that we map to dmrt1, and the long-fin phenotype that maps to the locus containing kcnj15. We also identify a polygenic signal related to aggression, involving multiple neural system-related genes such as esyt2, apbb2, and pank2. Our study provides a resource for developing the Betta fish as a genetic model for morphological and behavioral research in vertebrates.