Abstract: 【Objective】 Transcriptomic sequencing technology was applied for screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs)in brain and thoracic ganglion of male and female M. rosenbergii,and to provide theoretical basis for revealing the sexual dimorphism in growth and development,and for carring out the molecular-guided breeding of M. rosenbergii.【Method】Total RNA from brain and thoracic ganglion of male and female M. rosenbergii samples were extracted using TRIzol,and cDNA sequencing libraries were constructed,and then transcriptome sequencing was performed on the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform,and Unigenes were obtained by filtration,quality control,splicing and assembly. The DEGs were screened out by using DESeq and were analyzed for GO functional annotation and KEGG signal pathway enrichment.【Result】 The transcriptome data were spliced into 84627 Unigenes by de novo. Using P<0.05 and|log₂ Fold Change|> 1 as judgment criteria,5287 DEGs were detected in the brain of male and female M. rosenbergii via comparing with that of female M. rosenbergii. Out of them,2416 DEGs showed significantly up-regulated expression,and 2871 DEGs showed significantly down-regulated expression in male tissues. A total of 6211 DEGs were detected in the thoracic ganglion of male M. rosenbergii via comparing with that of female M. rosenbergii. Out of them,3280 DEGs showed significantly up-regulated expression,and 2931 DEGs showed significantly down-regulated expression in male tissues. The DEGs that were obtained from brain and thoracic ganglion of female and male M. rosenbergii,according to GO database, were successfully annotated to three major functional entries of biological process,cellular component and molecular function,and classified into 56 and 57 subcategories respectively,including outer acrosomal membrane,reproductive structure development,tissue morphogenesis,cellular process,metabolic process,cell part and binding and so on. The DEGs,according to the results of KEGG signal pathway enrichment analysis,were mainly involved in RNA transport, spliceosome, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing,transcription,translation,protein folding,and degradation, etc. The 10 DEGs related to muscle growth and gonad development were screened out,including TUBA1B,COX, TRY, MHC,MLC,HSP90 and IAGBP,which played important roles in regulating differential growth and development of female and male M. rosenbergii.【Conclusion】DEGs such as TUBA1B,COX,TRY,MHC,MLC,HSP90,TRA2, PCNA,MT-ND4 and IAGBP in the brain and thoracic ganglion of female and male M. rosenbergii are enriched in RNA transport,endoplasmic reticulum protein processing,and MAPK signal pathway,and are involved in the regulation of muscle growth and gonad development, and contribute to the formation of sexual dimorphism in growth of M. rosenbergii.