Aquatic animal germplasm research plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable aquaculture. The traditional view is that diversity of germplasm resources is commonly attributed to genetic variation. However, recent studies in transgenerational epigenetics have shown that epigenetic information can also be passed down to offspring, which is consistent with the definition of germplasm. Therefore, it is necessary to define epigenetic information, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and ncRNAs, which can be passed down through generations, as epigenetic resources and incorporate them into the concept of germplasm. Germplasm resources should include not only genetic resources but also epigenetic resources. Epigenetic variation can arise from genetic, environmental, or stochastic factors. Genetic and epigenetic variation co‐determine phenotypic traits. It has been demonstrated that epigenetic information can be inherited across generations in aquatic animals. DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNAs are involved in addressing environmental challenges, maintaining genetic diversity, improving breeding strategies, combating inbreeding decline, and age determination. Therefore, future research on epigenetic resources is important for germplasm conservation, development, and utilization. This review proposes a new theoretical framework to elucidate the place of epigenetic resources in germplasm research and collects articles from the past 8 years that explore the inheritance of epigenetic information in aquatic animals. Integrating epigenetic research into germplasm studies enhances our understanding of population dynamics, adaptation, and evolutionary processes, thereby informing conservation strategies and enhancing aquaculture practices. By considering both genetic and epigenetic resources, we can address the challenges facing germplasm diversity and sustainable aquaculture more comprehensively.

中文翻译：

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表观遗传资源：水生动物种质研究的差距


水生动物种质研究在生物多样性保护和可持续水产养殖中发挥着至关重要的作用。传统观点认为，种质资源的多样性通常归因于遗传变异。然而，最近跨代表观遗传学的研究表明，表观遗传信息也可以传递给后代，这与种质的定义是一致的。因此，有必要将可以代代相传的 DNA 甲基化、组蛋白修饰和 ncRNA 等表观遗传学信息定义为表观遗传资源，并将它们纳入种质的概念中。种质资源不仅应包括遗传资源，还应包括表观遗传资源。表观遗传变异可能由遗传、环境或随机因素引起。遗传和表观遗传变异共同决定表型性状。已经证明，表观遗传信息可以在水生动物中代代相传。DNA 甲基化、组蛋白修饰和 ncRNA 参与应对环境挑战、维持遗传多样性、改进育种策略、对抗近亲繁殖衰退和年龄测定。因此，未来对表观遗传资源的研究对于种质的保存、开发和利用具有重要意义。本文提出了一个新的理论框架来阐明表观遗传资源在种质研究中的地位，并收集了过去 8 年探索水生动物表观遗传信息的文章。将表观遗传学研究整合到种质研究中，可以增强我们对种群动态、适应和进化过程的理解，从而为保护策略提供信息并加强水产养殖实践。 通过考虑遗传和表观遗传资源，我们可以更全面地应对种质多样性和可持续水产养殖面临的挑战。