An Update on Advancement in Genomics Resources for Spiny Lobster Aquaculture Development
TL;DR
This review synthesises the current state of genomic and transcriptomic resources available for spiny and slipper lobsters (Achelata), contextualising these within the broader decapod framework and proposing future directions integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and functional tools to accelerate sustainable domestication and genetic improvement of lobsters.
Abstract
The rapid advancement of high‐throughput sequencing technologies has transformed aquaculture genomics, enabling unprecedented insights into the biology and improvement of non‐model aquatic species. Among crustaceans, lobsters represent one of the most commercially valuable yet genomically underexplored taxa. This review synthesises the current state of genomic and transcriptomic resources available for spiny and slipper lobsters (Achelata), contextualising these within the broader decapod framework. We outline key genomic assemblies, transcriptomic atlases, and molecular tools that underpin emerging research on reproduction, nutrition, growth, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. We further highlight how omics‐driven approaches—spanning whole‐genome sequencing, SNP discovery, RNA interference, and nutrigenomics—are reshaping opportunities for selective breeding, reproductive control, and feed optimisation. Recent progress in establishing closed‐cycle aquaculture of Panulirus ornatus now provides the foundation for applying these molecular resources to address key production bottlenecks, including larval duration, cannibalism, and asynchronous moulting. We propose future directions integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and functional tools to accelerate sustainable domestication and genetic improvement of lobsters. Together, these advances mark a pivotal shift toward genomically informed spiny lobster aquaculture.