RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Aquaculture potential of Bohai Red and its hybrid with Agropecten irradians concentricus in southern China JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 2019.12.29.890160 DO 10.1101/2019.12.29.890160 A1 Gaoyou Yao A1 Jianqiang Li A1 Yuyuan Wu A1 Xiaoying Su A1 Jie Tan A1 Zhigang Liu YR 2019 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/12/30/2019.12.29.890160.abstract AB Argopecten irradians concentricus (Say), one of four geographic subspecies of the bay scallop, has become the major cultured species in southern China since its introduction in 1995. However, its population has been significantly reduced due to high mortality.Also, poor growth rate has been observed following decades of culture.Therefore, the introduction or creation of new varieties is an urgent need. This study describes the first introduction of the new strain, Bohai Red, from the north to southern China. Hybridization trials were conducted between the recently introduced new strain and the local specie, A. irradians concentricus (Say). The success of hybridization was confirmed by SSR maker.The adult and juvenile Bohai Red cannot tolerate high temperatures compared to A. irradians concentricus (Say), whether in natural waters or under laboratory conditions. Fertilization rate for A. irradians concentricus (Say) × Bohai Red exceeded 80%, and hatching rate was 70%. The hybrids exhibit heterosis in survival rate, growth rate, and high-temperature tolerance, demonstrating substantial potential to replace A. irradians concentricus (Say) in southern China.