Molecular cloning and genomic characterization of novel Leptin-like genes in salmonids provide new insight into the evolution of the Leptin gene family.

Highlights: [•] We identify novel leptin B duplicated genes in four salmonid species. [•] We reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among leptin genes. [•] We examine changes of leptins expression in embryos and adult tissues. [•] Early subfunctionalization of SsLepB1 and SsLepB2. [•] SsLepA1 plays a role during early development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]