In silico analysis of the slipper lobster (Thenus australiensis) neuropeptidome reveals unique enrichment of peptide hormones in reproductive tissues using multi-tissue transcriptomics

The slipper lobster, Thenus australiensis has gained attention as a candidate species for aquaculture production. Recent studies have investigated various aspects of rearing T. australiensis in an aquaculture setting, however genetic resources are limited. Here, we generated the first multiple tissue transcriptome library for T. australiensis for immature male and female lobster tissues including the eyestalk, brain, testis, ovary, 3rd and 5th walking leg regions, hepatopancreas, stomach and muscle, with a total of 38 samples sequenced. From this transcriptome, we describe the neuropeptidome of T. australiensis and provide neuropeptide precursor expression patterns across tissues. The eyestalk and brain expressed the most neuropeptide precursor genes as expected, although surprisingly several others were enriched in the testis and ovary. Members of the allatostatin, crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone, and insulin like peptide family were among those highly expressed in gonad tissue, alongside peptides previously linked to reproduction such as corazonin and crustacean female sex hormone, and other neuropeptides without any established roles in reproduction. This repertoire of neuropeptides possibly related to reproductive processes provides a basis for future functional characterisation and may offer an avenue for enhancing production with aquaculture biotechnology.