DNA Methylation and Transcriptome Profiling Reveal the Role of the Antioxidant Pathway and Lipid Metabolism in <em>Plectropomus leopardus</em> Skin Color Formation

Leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), possessing a distinct red body color, is an important species in commercial markets; however, the high ratio of black individuals under intensive cultivation has limited the commercial value of the species. To dissect the regulatory mechanisms underlying the red skin trait in P. leopardus, gene expression and DNA methylation modifications were compared between red and black skin tissues after astaxanthin treatment. Astaxanthin effectively increased...