Genome-wide association study reveals the underlying regulatory mechanisms of red blood traits in Anadara granosa

Abstract Background: Anadara granosa, commonly known as the blood clam, exhibits the unusual characteristic of having red blood among invertebrates. There is significant individual variation in blood color intensity among blood clams; individuals with vibrant red blood are deemed healthier and exhibit stronger stress resistance. However, the molecular basis underlying these red blood traits (RBTs) remains poorly understood. Results: In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in a population of 300 A. granosa individuals, focusing on RBTs as