Full-length transcriptome reveals the circularly polarized light response-related molecular genetic characteristics of Oratosquilla oratoria.

The mantis shrimp is the only animal that can recognize circularly polarized light (CPL), but its molecular genetic characteristics are unclear. Multi-tissue level full-length (FL) transcriptome sequencing of Oratosquilla oratoria, a representative widely distributed mantis shrimp, was performed in the present study. We used comparative transcriptomics to explore the critical genes of O. oratoria selected by CPL and the GNβ gene associated with CPL signal transduction was hypothesized to be positively selected. Furthermore, the FL transcriptomes of O. oratoria compound eyes under five light conditions were sequenced and used to detect alternative splicing (AS). The ASs associated with CPL recognition mainly occurred in the LWS, ARR and TRPC regions. The number of FL transcripts with AS events and annotation information also provided evidence that O. oratoria could recognize LCPL. Additionally, 51 sequences belonging to the LWS, UV and Peropsin gene families were identified based on conserved 7tm domains. The LWS, UV and Peropsin opsins have similar 3D structures with seven domains across the cell membrane and conserved KSLRTPSN, DRY, and QAKK motifs. In conclusion, these results are undoubtedly valuable for perfecting the vision theory of O. oratoria and other mantis shrimp.