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Genetic analysis of a red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) population undergoing three generations of selection for increased body weight at harvest

  • Animal Genetics • Original Paper
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Abstract

Quantitative genetic analysis was performed on 10,919 data records collected over three generations from the selection programme for increased body weight at harvest in red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.). They were offspring of 224 sires and 226 dams (50 sires and 60 dams per generation, on average). Linear mixed models were used to analyse body traits (weight, length, width and depth), whereas threshold generalised models assuming probit distribution were employed to examine genetic inheritance of survival rate, sexual maturity and body colour. The estimates of heritability for traits studied (body weight, standard length, body width, body depth, body colour, early sexual maturation and survival) across statistical models were moderate to high (0.13–0.45). Genetic correlations among body traits and survival were high and positive (0.68–0.96). Body length and width exhibited negative genetic correlations with body colour (− 0.47 to − 0.25). Sexual maturity was genetically correlated positively with measurements of body traits (weight and length). Direct and correlated genetic responses to selection were measured as estimated breeding values in each generation and expressed in genetic standard deviation units (σG). The cumulative improvement achieved for harvest body weight was 1.72 σG after three generations or 12.5% per generation when the gain was expressed as a percentage of the base population. Selection for improved body weight also resulted in correlated increase in other body traits (length, width and depth) and survival rate (ranging from 0.25 to 0.81 genetic standard deviation units). Avoidance of black spot parent matings also improved the overall red colour of the selected population. It is concluded that the selective breeding programme for red tilapia has succeeded in achieving significant genetic improvement for a range of commercially important traits in this species, and the large genetic variation in body colour and survival also shows that there are prospects for future improvement of these traits in this population of red tilapia.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Department of Fisheries, Malaysia. We would like to thank Hoong Yip Yee and Mohd A. Aziz for their kind assistance in the management of the animals. The Aquaculture Extension Center of the Malaysian Department of Fisheries in Jitra, Kedah State provided facilities and manpower resources for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Prawn Fry Production and Research Centre, Kg. Pulau Sayak, 08500, Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah, Malaysia

    Azhar Hamzah

  2. Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1, Tu Son, Bắc Ninh, Vietnam

    Ngo Phu Thoa

  3. University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558, Australia

    Nguyen Hong Nguyen

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  1. Azhar Hamzah
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  2. Ngo Phu Thoa
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  3. Nguyen Hong Nguyen
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Correspondence to Azhar Hamzah.

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Communicated by: Maciej Szydlowski

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Hamzah, A., Thoa, N.P. & Nguyen, N.H. Genetic analysis of a red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) population undergoing three generations of selection for increased body weight at harvest. J Appl Genetics 58, 509–519 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-017-0411-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-017-0411-8

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