Heritability of body size in the Chilean blue mussel (Mytilus chilensis Hupé 1854): effects of environment and ageing

Selection, either natural or artificial, induces an inter‐generational response only when the trait exhibits additive genetic variation. An index of additive genetic variation is narrow‐sense heritability (h²): the ratio between additive genetic variance and phenotypic variance. Here, we present narrow‐sense heritabilities for mass and size in the Chilean blue mussel Mytilus chilensis at different ages and in three different populations. We found that h² changed with age and that maternal‐non‐additive variance was high, generating relatively low estimates of h² in most cases. Our results, together with previous studies, suggest that genotype‐by‐environment interaction does not appear to play a significant role. However, we found that non‐additive and common environmental variance are important determinants of phenotypic morphological variation in body size in M. chilensis. Further studies are needed to establish the precise contributions of these sources of variation, to assess the real potential for response to selection.     

Heritabilities and genetic correlation of shell thickness and shell length growth in a mussel,Mytilus chilensis (Bivalvia:Mytilidae)

Shell thickness in mollusks is generally considered adaptive because of their effects on fitness. However, little is known about the genetic basis of shell thickness. This is important, because the response to selection and the subsequent adaptive microevolution of a trait, such as thickness is only possible when that trait exhibits additive genetic variation. Here, we estimated the narrow‐sense heritability (h²: ratio between additive genetic variance and phenotypic variance) for the traits ‘shell thickness’ and ‘shell length growth’ in a 34‐month‐old cohort of the mussel Mytilus chilensis obtained by using a half‐full sib design and grown in the field. Also, phenotypic and genetic correlations were estimated between both traits. We found that h² showed significant values for shell thickness (0.294 ± 0.194) and length (0.731 ± 0.379). The phenotypic correlation between both traits was positive and significant; however, the genetic correlation between these traits was not. These results suggest both traits can evolve adaptively by selection, but because these traits did not show genetic correlation, it is possible that selection pressure affecting one trait may not affect the other.     

Genetic parameters for loin eye area and other body traits of an important Neotropical aquaculture species,Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818)

Estimating components of variance and genetic parameters of economically relevant traits is the first step towards planning a breeding program for aquaculture species. This study estimated the (co)variance components for growth rate and other body traits and then determined a multiple regression equation to assess the loin eye area (LEA) from morphometric traits of the Neotropical aquaculture species Colossoma macropomum. Estimation of variance components was performed using derivative‐free restricted maximum likelihood estimation using the MTDFREML package. Six predictive variables were tested to estimate the coefficient of regression equation and to select the most suitable model for predicting LEA. The estimated genetic parameter for body weight showed moderate‐to‐high heritability estimates of 0.26 (0.01) and 0.49 (0.01) at 221 and 623 days respectively. The genetic correlation (r_g) estimates between body size measurements were positive and ranged from low to high at both ages. The heritability for LEA in this assessment was 0.39 (0.03). The genetic and phenotypic correlations between LEA and the other body measurements ranged from 0.16 to 0.94 and 0.75 and 0.90 respectively. The outcomes of this study can contribute to the development of a genetics‐based breeding program that will improve (tambaqui) productivity and carcass quality.     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)家系生长性状遗传效应分析

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)优良养殖新品种培育是防止其品种退化和提高经济效益的主要途径,数量性状遗传评估是牙鲆育种的主要方法之一.本研究利用已建立的牙鲆核心群体建立42个牙鲆家系,分别测量140、170、200、380日龄各家系生长相关性状(体重、全长和体宽),通过MINQUE、REML和BLUP方法对其进行数量遗传分析.结果显示,不同时期生长性状的变异系数为10.56％-38.62％,其中,体重的变异系数最大,全长和体宽的变异系数都较小,不同性状的变异系数均随着日龄的增加而减小.3个性状的加性方差分量比率为(0.13±0.01)-(0.29±0.06),随机方差分量比率为(0.71±0.06)-(0.87±0.01),狭义遗传力为(0.13±0.01)-(0.29±0.06),广义遗传力为(0.15±0.01)-(0.54±0.06),以上遗传参数均达极显著性水平(P＜0.01).综合比较3个性状在不同时期的遗传效应,结果发现,F0990、F1005、KS和F0719这4个群体亲本都为极显著正向效应,F0751、F0768、F0780、F09121、F0927和RS这6个群体亲本都为极显著负向效应(P＜0.01),其余的亲本均为一般效应.表型相关系数在0.82-0.96之间,遗传相关系数在0.72-0.97之间.利用BLUP方法对380日龄测量的数据进行育种值估算,结果发现,亲鱼体重育种值为14.63-100.05,其中,体重育种值最高的亲鱼个体为F1005-8、F09119-11、F09125-4、F0915-57、F09104-12、F1264、F0908-38、F0927-20、F1005-53、F0990-6、F09125-7、F0751-14和F1005-42.家系平均体重育种值为20.87-35.60,其中,平均体重育种值最高的家系为F1416、F1428、F1442、F1418、F1427、F1408、F1402、F1412和F1446.以体重育种值为依据选留的家系育种值与根据表型值选留的家系育种值比较可得:体重育种值选择比其表型值的选择效率高81.91％,育种值选育更好.本研究为牙鲆优良家系的建立及新品种的培育筛选出了性状优良的亲本和家系,同时为牙鲆育种计划的制定提供了重要理论依据.     

罗氏沼虾高世代育种群体收获体重加性和显性遗传效应

精确地估计加性和显性遗传效应,可以提高选择准确度和加速遗传进展。本研究构建了343个罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)G7~G9育种群体全同胞家系(半同胞家系244个),测定了29523尾个体的收获体重。基于单性状动物模型,利用平均信息约束最大似然法(average information restricted maximum likelihood method,AIREML)估计了G7、G8、G9和G8+G9 4个数据集收获体重的方差组分。分析时采用了两种模型:(1)加性遗传效应模型,包含加性遗传效应和共同环境效应(A+C);(2)加显性遗传效应模型,进一步包括显性遗传效应(A+D+C)。结果表明,在A+C模型下,估计得到的4个数据集收获体重的遗传力范围在0.046~0.082,为低遗传力水平(h~2≤0.15)。在A+D+C模型下,估计得到的收获体重遗传力范围在0.063~0.096,显性方差组分比率范围为0.027~0.571。模型中包括显性遗传效应后,G8数据集收获体重遗传力的估计值变大,其余3个数据集的估计值变小。罗氏沼虾育种群体收获体重遗传力较低,表明需要引进性能优良的野生或改良群体,增加育种群体的遗传变异丰富度;4个数据集显性遗传方差比率值变化较大,表明需要新的算法并利用更多世代数据提高其估计值的准确性。     

Estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits of Japanese flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys olivaceus</Emphasis> using an animal model

To estimate genetic parameters of growth traits in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, full-sib and half-sib families were produced in three consecutive years at the Beidaihe Central Experiment Station in China. Each year 8–28 families were produced. The body weight, body length and body depth at 180, 240, and 360 days of age were measured for 5,224 individuals. Four animal models were used to examine the phenotypic variation of growth traits and were compared using the likelihood ratio test. The results showed that estimates for additive genetic effect heritabilities varied greatly depending on the model, trait and age. The maternal effect had a significant impact on phenotypic variation only for body depth at 180 days of age, which explained 49% of the phenotypic variance. The ratio of full-sib effect to phenotypic variation ranged from 0.09 to 0.22. Growth traits all exhibited low heritability (0.13–0.39), indicating that there is the potential for family selection breeding for these traits in Japanese flounder. Using the full model with the fixed, full-sib family, additive and maternal genetic effects, genetic correlations among the three traits for fish of the same age were estimated to be more than 0.80. Generally, the genetic correlations gradually increased as age increased.     

草鱼生长性状的遗传参数和育种值估计

利用草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)生长性状选育核心群亲本,采用人工授精方式构建21个全同胞家系,并选用动物模型对16月龄草鱼生长性状进行遗传参数和育种值估计。结果显示,草鱼选育种群的生长性状存在丰富变异。采用约束极大似然法估计方差组分,发现草鱼体重、体长和体高性状的遗传力分别为0.39,0.47,0.21,属于中高遗传力;肥满度性状遗传力为0.11,属于低遗传力;4个性状的共同环境效应值相近且较小,范围为0.07~0.17。采用两性状动物模型分析相关性,发现体重、体长和体高性状间表型和遗传相关系数均达到高度正相关(r=0.88~0.97),而肥满度性状与三者间相关系数接近零,只与体高性状存在一定遗传正相关(r=0.43)。结合各性状遗传变异系数和相对遗传进度,分析表明,以体重为目标性状可便捷有效地改良草鱼生长性能。采用最佳线性无偏估计法预测个体育种值,发现4个性状育种值与表型值的相关系数范围为0.77~0.93。基于单性状育种值和表型值分别进行个体选择,按10%留种率,各性状选留个体相同率为68.75%~81.82%,秩相关系数范围为0.19~0.81,两种选择方式显示出较大差异,且差异大小与性状遗传力成反比例。本研究为草鱼生长性状选择育种提供了理论依据和技术支撑。     

Estimates of heritability and genetic correlations for growth‐related traits in the tiger prawn Penaeus monodon

Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated for body weight (BW), body length (BL), carapace length (CL), carapace width (CW) and carapace height (CH) of the Penaeus monodon from measurements on progeny at 6 months of age resulting from a nested mating design. Estimation was made on data from 41 full‐sib and 10 half‐sib families. The estimated heritabilities for these traits were 0.13–0.24, and the significantly phenotypic and genetic correlations were 0.81–0.94 and 0.88–1.00, respectively. The present results indicate that genetic improvement through selective breeding conducted on P. monodon might be feasible and would be an efficient method to obtain a positive response to selection.     

Evaluating spawning performance among captive Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus broodstock using microsatellite‐based parentage assignment

Florida pompano has been identified as a promising candidate for commercial‐scale aquaculture production, but to date, little information is available regarding captive broodstock spawning characteristics. Genetic markers were tested for their power in monitoring mating outcomes and potential in analysing heritability of rapid growth trait in Trachinotus carolinus. A total of 20 unrelated adults (10 females and 10 males) were chosen for a hormone‐induced mass spawning event. The 515 fastest growing and 485 slowest growing fish of the total 4852 offspring were considered a selected progeny stock, and fish were collected at 45 days post hatch based on their growth traits. Parentage analyses based on the 20 breeders and 1,000 selected progeny were performed using a total of nine microsatellite markers, a 100% assignment rate was achieved, and a four‐marker set was the minimum number for the parentage assignment. The effective breeding number for the selected progeny was 11 (six females and five males), among which three females and two males were predominant contributors with the total contribution of 95.8% and 94.7% respectively. The proportion of fast‐growing offspring from broodfish and each mating cross (sire/dam) was used for detecting whether variation in growth of the offspring was related to parental stocks. Results showed that three adults and their mated combination exhibited the greatest fast‐growing offspring proportion (69.73% and 55.95%). This research provided new information regarding spawning performance and parental contribution during mass spawning events; both important first steps towards developing improved management strategies for captive Florida pompano broodstock.     

长牡蛎生长性状遗传力、遗传相关和表型相关分析

为了查清乳山(RS)和崆峒岛(KTD)海域长牡蛎生长性状各指标的遗传力、遗传相关和表型相关,本实验通过部分因子交配设计和人工授精的方法建立家系,并在乳山和崆峒岛海域进行养殖。用混合线性模型分别计算RS和KTD海域188日龄、338日龄和474日龄长牡蛎生长性状各指标的遗传参数。结果发现:不同日龄长牡蛎生长性状各指标,在乳山海域的遗传力是0.28~0.55,为中高遗传力,在崆峒岛海域的遗传力是0.34~0.63,为高遗传力;与乳山海域相比,崆峒岛海域各指标的遗传力偏高。运用亲本模型,将日龄和地点作为固定效应,计算得到壳高、壳长、壳宽和湿重的遗传力分别为0.25±0.08、0.29±0.09、0.14±0.05和0.26±0.09。不同海域、不同日龄的遗传相关和表型相关结果各不相同,但各指标间均呈现正相关;总体来讲,性状间的遗传相关大于表型相关。实验结果有助于掌握山东半岛南北两侧长牡蛎生长性状的数量遗传学参数,为制定长牡蛎在该海域的选育技术路线提供数据支持。     

长牡蛎出肉率与壳形性状的 QTL 定位分析

本研究以长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)F1全同胞家系为作图群体,在已构建的基于120个微卫星和66个SNP标记的长牡蛎性别平均连锁图谱上,利用PROC QTL 2.0软件对出肉率和壳形(壳宽和壳深)性状进行QTL定位分析。结果表明,共检测到13个相关的QTL,分布在3个连锁群上;其中,与出肉率相关的4个QTL定位在1号和3号连锁群上(LG1和LG3),表型解释率为0.25%~47.53%;与壳宽相关的3个QTL定位在10号连锁群上(LG10),表型解释率为0.71%~45.39%;与壳深相关的6个QTL也定位在LG10,表型解释率为3.37%~24.78%。根据QTL连锁群分析和性状相关性分析结果可以推测,出肉率与糖原含量性状以及壳宽与壳深性状分别具有相近的遗传特征,利用与相关性状共同关联的分子标记可以同时对出肉率与糖原含量性状、壳宽与壳深性状进行遗传改良。本研究结果为今后长牡蛎相关性状候选基因克隆和分子标记辅助育种提供了参考。     

Additive genetic and other sources of variation in growth traits of juvenile black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri

We used a factorial mating design to estimate the contribution of additive genetic, non‐additive genetic and maternal effects to variation in growth traits of black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri (Munro) at 75, 130 and 180 days of age in the hatchery. Maternal genetic and environmental effects were greatest at 75 days of age, accounting for 9.1% of total phenotypic variance in wet weight, 11.4% of variance in standard length and 8.8% of variance in total length. At later ages maternal effects were much reduced, explaining 0.8–3.7% of phenotypic variance in growth traits. Additive genetic effects were greatest at 130 days of age, when they accounted for 17.4% of total phenotypic variance in wet weight, 21.4% of variance in standard length and 18.7% of variance in total length. Additive genetic effects were negligible (<1%) at 75 days of age and 4.8–5.5% of total phenotypic variance in growth traits at 180 days of age. Non‐additive genetic effects (which also included common environmental effects because of families being raised in the same tank) explained 5.8–7.3% of total phenotypic variance in growth traits at 75 days of age, but were much smaller at later ages. Variable stocking densities among tanks up to 75 days significantly affected all growth trait measurements below 180 days of age.     

Genetic parameter estimation of nine quantitative traits by a marker‐based method in Large Yellow Croaker,Larimichthys crocea (Richardson)

Large yellow croaker accounts for the largest biomass production of any maricultured fish in China. However, very little is known about the genetic parameters of its commercially important traits. As an initial step towards developing a selective breeding programme, genetic parameters of nine quantitative traits were estimated using a marker‐based method. Dorsal fin samples were collected to extract genomic DNA, and GBS method was employed to construct the libraries for sequencing. Genetic parameters were estimated by REML method through a genomic relationship matrix (G matrix) constructed by abundant genomewide SNPs. The nine traits were body weight (BWT), body length (BL), body height (BH), length/height ratio (LTH), body width (BWH), eviscerated weight (EW), gonad weight (GW), eviscerated weight/body weight ratio (REB) and swim bladder index (SBI). Estimates of heritability were 0.63 ± 0.11, 0.60 ± 0.11, 0.53 ± 0.11, 0.34 ± 0.11, 0.55 ± 0.11, 0.66 ± 0.11, 0.37 ± 0.10, 0.25 ± 0.08 and 0.71 ± 0.10 for the nine traits respectively. The relatively high heritability values may be derived from calculating the genetic relationship by high‐density SNPs. To illustrate that, we had studied on the variation of the heritability estimates with different number of SNPs evenly sampled from 29748 SNPs. The results showed that the estimates of heritability generally decreased when the number of SNPs reduced. There were relatively high phenotypic and genetic correlations between the pairs of BWT, BL, BH, BWH and EW, which indicated that genetic improvement for these traits could be accomplished merely by selecting one trait. The results obtained in this study may provide a reference for the later selective breeding programme.     

俄罗斯鲟早期生长性状遗传参数的估计

采用人工授精技术和家系标准化培育技术构建了30个俄罗斯鲟(Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)父系全同胞家系(包含6个母系半同胞组),培育至150日龄和410日龄时,分别从每个家系中随机测量50尾个体的体长和体重。利用ASReml软件进行方差组分的估计,应用多性状动物模型进行俄罗斯鲟生长性状遗传参数的估计。结果表明,150日龄俄罗斯鲟体长和体重的遗传力分别为0.16±0.055、0.18±0.058,410日龄俄罗斯鲟体长和体重的遗传力分别为0.18±0.070、0.094±0.049,不同日龄生长性状的遗传力均为低遗传力,表明俄罗斯鲟更适合大规模家系的育种方法;150日龄和410日龄俄罗斯鲟体长和体重2个生长性状的表型相关和遗传相关均为高度正相关,其中表型相关系数分别为0.91、0.85,遗传相关系数分别为0.62、0.57,说明对体重或体长进行选育,均能实现改良生长性状的目标;不同日龄俄罗斯鲟家系平均体重的平均变异系数高于平均体长,前者为29.09%、29.46%,后者为10.16%、8.43%,表明俄罗斯鲟体重性状更具选育潜力。本研究估测了俄罗斯鲟不同时期生长性状的遗传参数,旨在为下一步合理制定该物种育种方案提供参考依据。     

低密度养殖模式下中国明对虾社会交互效应的遗传分析

针对低密度养殖模式下中国明对虾收获体质量和眼球磨损性状的直接遗传效应(DGE)和间接遗传效应(IGE)进行了估计。为了准确估计中国明对虾收获体质量及眼球磨损性状的遗传参数,将来自G8和G9代的178个被标记的家系(G8代88个全同胞家系,G9代90个全同胞家系),共计6 408尾中国明对虾,每个家系分成3组(每组12尾),随机放入3个不同的圆缸(半径100 cm),其中,G8代88个圆缸,G9代90个圆缸。每个圆缸包含3个不同的家系,1个家系共与其他6个家系进行组合,生长测试80 d后对体质量及眼球磨损性状进行测量和评估。结果显示,使用传统的动物模型获得收获体质量的遗传力为0.11±0.05,属低遗传力水平。似然比检验结果表明,需要将IGE效应包含在模型中(LRT=5.26)。利用包含IGE的扩展动物模型估计得到的总遗传方差由DGE方差(43%)、DGE-IGE协方差(24%)和IGE方差(33%)组成,占表型方差的24%,是传统动物模型获得的遗传力的2倍多(11%)。由DGE-IGE协方差估计出收获体质量的DGE-IGE相关系数为0.32±0.45,属中度正相关,表明由于养殖密度较低,组内个体间社会交互形式为非竞争行为。利用不包含IGE的logit模型获得眼球磨损性状的遗传力估计值为0.05±0.03,属低遗传力水平。包含IGE的总遗传方差占表型方差的比值 ($ {T}^{2} $) 为2.75,显著大于1,是不包含IGE的logit模型获得的遗传力的58倍多(0.05)。上述结果表明,社会交互行为对中国明对虾收获体质量产生了更多可利用的遗传变异。与收获体质量相比,眼球磨损性状更易受个体间社会交互行为的影响,可将眼球是否磨损作为个体间社会交互行为结果的一个性状。     

Estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits in cultured clam Meretrix meretrix (Bivalvia: Veneridae) using the Bayesian method based on Gibbs sampling

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of the growth performance of clam Meretrix meretrix. As part of the breeding programme, 25 full‐sib families nested within eight half‐sib families were produced, planted out and tested to assess the heritability of the total body weight (TW), shell length (SL), shell height (SH) and shell width (SW) at different growth stages. Method of analysis was implemented using the Bayesian method based on the Multiple Trait using Gibbs Sampling under Animal Model program, which was used to estimate the (co)variance components of the traits and conduct genetic analysis. A total of 25 full‐sib families, each with 30–35 individuals within family, were used for the analysis. Significant positive genetic and phenotypic correlations between SL, SW, SH and TW with each other were observed. The growth traits showed high‐magnitude heritabilities, with values ranging from 0.64 to 0.85, which indicates that these traits should respond to selection and therefore should be included in genetic improvement programmes.     

Heritability estimates for growth‐related traits in the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) using a molecular pedigree

Pacific oyster is one of the leading species in world aquaculture, but heritability estimation applying mixed‐family approach has not been actively pursued. In this study, heritability for growth‐related traits in the Pacific oyster was first estimated by creating a single cohort of 45 families in a full‐factorial mating design consisting of nine sires and five dams. A total of 270 offspring were analysed and parentage assignment inferred by six microsatellite markers achieved 100% success. All parents contributed to the spawn and a total of 42 full‐sib families were represented. Using an animal model, heritability estimates at 12 months of age were 0.49 ± 0.25 for shell height, 0.36 ± 0.19 for shell length, 0.45 ± 0.23 for shell width and 0.35 ± 0.17 for wet weight. Genetic correlation between shell height and wet weight was quite high (0.79 ± 0.25), suggesting that direct selection of shell height, which is an easily measurable trait, also improves wet weight. The results obtained in this study indicate that growth‐related traits could be improved by exploiting additive genetic effects through selective breeding.     

Genetic parameters for growth‐related traits and survival with age in the Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus

Genetic parameters were estimated for growth‐related traits and survival of the Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus based on 66 families, including 30 paternal half‐sib families, which were obtained using artificial insemination of two females by each male. The variance components for growth‐related trait and survival were estimated using a single‐trait animal model and a sir‐dam model, respectively, and genetic parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method. The coefficients of variation for growth‐related traits such as body length (BL), abdominal length (AL), and body weight (BW) were 9.36%–22.44%, 10.61%–21.92%, and 26.47%–58.33%, respectively, at different ages (45, 75, 105, 135, and 165 days). The corresponding heritability estimates for each growth trait were 0.1545–0.1951, 0.1672–0.1905, and 0.1596–0.1934, respectively, all of which were found to be at moderate levels and increased with age. The heritability of survival on day 165 was low (0.003). The genetic correlations among growth traits were positive and high (0.7316–0.9896) at the different ages, suggesting that selection to improve any single growth trait will cause positive responses in other growth traits examined in M. japonicus. The genetic correlations between growth traits and survival were also positive but low (0.005–0.087), which indicated that only selecting for growth traits may not cause a positive correlated response in the survival of the core population. According to the above results, we suggested that growth and survival traits should be taken as improving targets of breeding in M. japonicus. These results provided reference data for selective breeding and multitrait selection of M. japonicus.     

凡纳滨对虾生长性状遗传参数的估计

采用平衡巢式设计方法和人工授精技术,每个雄体配3个雌体,构建了18个父系半同胞家系和54个母系全同胞家系.分别测定了每个母系生长到5月龄60个全同胞个体的体质量、全长、体长、头胸甲长、头胸甲宽、头胸甲高、第一腹节背高、第三腹节背高和第一腹节背宽9个生长性状,应用数量遗传学原理,采用方差和协方差分析的方法,估算了5月龄凡纳滨对虾生长性状的遗传力及各性状间的遗传相关及表型相关.结果表明,利用父系半同胞组内相关法估计的遗传力是凡纳滨对虾各生长性状遗传力的无偏估计值.其中,体质量、全长、体长、头胸甲长、头胸甲宽、头胸甲高、第一腹节背高、第三腹节背高和第一腹节背宽狭义遗传力的估计值分别为0.460、0.392、0.303、0.234、0.251、0.330、0.282、0.321和0.356,属于中高等遗传力范围,显示出较高的选择育种潜力.基于父系半同胞遗传协方差组分及表型协方差分别估计的各性状间的遗传相关及表型相关表明,各个性状间均表现出高的正相关,其中遗传相关在0.750 ～0.976,体质量—全长的遗传相关为最大(0.976),全长—第三腹节背高的遗传相关为最小(0.750),表型相关为0.507～0.947,体质量—全长为最大(0.947),第一腹节背高—头胸甲高为最小(0.507).经t检验,各性状间遗传相关及表型相关均达到极显著水平,表明以任意一个生长性状为参数进行选育,均可达到改良凡纳滨对虾生长情况的效果.     

Estimating the heritability for growth-related traits in the pearl oyster,Pinctada fucata martensii (Dunker)

Twelve paternal half-sib families (or 36 full-sib families) of the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata martensii (Dunker), were produced according to the requirements of hierarchical genetic mating design. A total of 4320 individuals, aged 15 months, were measured for seven growth-related traits. Predicated upon the additive-dominance genetic analysis model, varying genetic variance components and then heritabilities of the growth-related traits of interest were estimated using analysis of variance. Results showed that seven growth-related traits had larger additive genetic variances (P<0.05); the dominance genetic variance of shell weight (SW) was smaller (P>0.05), the dominance genetic variances of other six traits were all larger (P<0.05). Narrow- and broad-sense heritabilities for the seven traits were, respectively, 0.64 ± 0.10 and 0.78 ± 0.12 for shell length, 0.49 ± 0.06 and 0.63 ± 0.09 for shell height, 0.38 ± 0.14 and 0.54 ± 0.16 for shell breadth, 0.41 ± 0.17 and 0.56 ± 0.11 for hinge length, 0.53 ± 0.11 and 0.68 ± 0.08 for body weight, 0.35 ± 0.07 and 0.55 ± 0.08 for tissue weight and 0.67 ± 0.10 and 0.75 ± 0.16 for SW. All heritability estimates were statistically significant (P<0.05). According to these results, the mass selection procedure is suggested for the breeding of P. martensii.