Project description:The veined rapa whelk (Rapana venosa) is widely consumed in China but is also a predator that is reducing bivalves resources in oceans worldwide. Larval metamorphosis of this species, a pelagic to benthic transition that involves considerable structural and physiological changes, plays a pivotal role in its commercial breeding and natural populations. Thus, the endogenous microRNA that drive this transition attract considerable interest. This study is the first to investigate alterations of miRNA expression during metamorphosis in a marine gastropod by using high-throughput sequencing. A total of 195 differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained, including 65 miRNAs differentially expressed during the transition from pre-competent larva to competent larva (33 up-regulated and 32 down regulated) and 123 miRNAs differentially expressed during competent to post larva transition (96 up-regulated and 27 down regulated). Our data improve understanding of the microRNA function into R. venosa metamorphosis and provide a solid basis for further study.
