Identification of quantitative trait loci for growth-related traits in the Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino

The locations and effects of quantitative trait loci (QTL) were estimated for nine characters for growth‐related traits in the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplification fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and SSR genetic linkage map. Twenty‐eight putatively significant QTLs (LOD>2.4) were detected for nine traits (shell length, shell width, total weight, shell weight, weight of soft part, muscle weight, gonad and digestive gland weight, mantle weight and gill weight). The percentage of phenotypic variation explained by a single QTL ranged from 8.0% to 35.9%. The significant correlations (P<0.001) were found among all the growth‐related traits, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were more than 0.81. For the female map, the QTL for growth were concentrated on groups 1 and 4 linkage maps. On the male map, the QTL that influenced growth‐related traits gathered on the groups 1 and 9 linkage maps. Genetic linkage map construction and QTL analysis for growth‐related traits are the basis for the marker‐assisted selection and will eventually improve production and quality of the Pacific abalone.     

Quantitative trait locus mapping of growth‐related traits in inter‐specific F1 hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × E. lanceolatus) in a tropical climate

Growth‐related traits are the main target of genetic breeding programmes in grouper aquaculture. We constructed genetic linkage maps for tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and giant grouper (E. lanceolatus) using 399 simple sequence repeat markers and performed a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to identify the genomic regions responsible for growth‐related traits in F₁ hybrid grouper (E. fuscoguttatus × E. lanceolatus). The tiger grouper (female) linkage map contained 330 markers assigned to 24 linkage groups (LGs) and spanned 1,202.0 cM. The giant grouper (male) linkage map contained 231 markers distributed in 24 LGs and spanned 953.7 cM. Six QTLs affecting growth‐related traits with 5% genome‐wide significance were detected on different LGs. Four QTLs were identified for total length and body weight on Efu_LG8, 10, 13 and 19 on the tiger grouper map, which explained 6.6%–12.0% of the phenotypic variance. An epistatic QTL with a reciprocal association was observed between Efu_LG8 and 10. Two QTLs were identified for body weight on Ela_LG3 and 10 on the giant grouper map, which explained 6.9% of the phenotypic variance. Two‐way analysis of variance indicated that the QTL on Efu_LG13 interacts with the QTLs on Ela_LG3 and 10 with large effects on body weight. Furthermore, these six QTLs showed different features among the winter, summer and rainy seasons, suggesting that environmental factors and fish age affected these QTLs. These findings will be useful to understand the genetic structure of growth and conduct genetic breeding in grouper species.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci for infectious salmon anaemia resistance in a North American strain of Atlantic salmon

Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) is a highly virulent viral disease of Atlantic salmon that causes massive economic losses to infected aquaculture operations. Our goal was to detect and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) that confer resistance to ISA in an admixed commercial strain of Atlantic salmon that was largely founded from the Saint John River (SJR) in North America. Full‐sibling families were challenged with a virulent strain of ISA virus. Mortality was tracked during two annual trials with individual fish that survived to the end of the trial being classified as ‘resistant’, and those that died were classified as ‘susceptible’. Ten families with intermediate levels of mortality and an average size of 54.2 individuals were chosen for genotyping with a 50K SNP array designed for the SJR strain. Single nucleotide polymorphisms that were segregating within families were first used to make a composite 11K female linkage map that was then used to find the positions of QTL for ISA resistance using a half‐sib model. The dam‐based HS model detected a total of three QTL for ISA resistance including an experiment‐wide significant QTL on Ssa25 that accounted for 8.3% of the phenotypic variance and chromosome‐wide significant QTL on Ssa03 and on Ssa04 that accounted for 6.0% and 6.6% respectively. We conclude that classic linkage mapping within families continues to be an important method of detecting QTL for oligogenic traits in strains founded from multiple populations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms with moderate trait effects are being used to select within families for more ISA‐resistant strains of Atlantic salmon.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci for growth‐related traits in the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

The swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) is an economically important species in Asian aquaculture. Implementing growth‐related traits of P. trituberculatus into genetic breeding programmes is an ongoing effort. We used a previously published genetic linkage map of P. trituberculatus, containing 55 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and 172 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) techniques to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth‐related traits in a single full sibling F₂ family. Ten growth‐related traits were measured for QTL mapping. Composite interval mapping identified 9 QTL on the female map and 16 on the male map. Individual QTL with additive effects explained 11–38% of the phenotypic variance for various traits using the female parent's map, and from 1% to 21% using the male parent's map. Two QTL explaining a large percentage of variation in body weight were detected on chromosome 17 on the female map, and on chromosome 16 on the male map, and contributed 38% and 18% of the phenotypic variance respectively. This is the first study to report the detection and positioning of major QTL affecting growth in a true crab species (Brachyura). The mapping of growth‐related QTL in this study raises the possibility of improving the growth of P. trituberculatus through marker‐assisted selection.     

Genetic effects on tolerance to acute cold stress in red drum,Sciaenops ocellatus L.

Genetic effects on cold‐stress tolerance were assessed for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), an economically important sciaenid fish in the southern USA. Thirty‐five families were generated via ‘natural’ spawning of multiple sets of five breeders (three dams × two sires) in individual brood tanks. Offspring from the 35 families were transferred abruptly from an acclimation temperature of ～24 °C to 5.7 °C and maintained subsequently at an average temperature of 6.5 °C. Offspring were assigned a posteriori to individual broodfish (dam and sire) based on genotypes at nuclear‐encoded microsatellites. Heritability of the survival–time probability function was estimated using a proportional hazard approach and an animal‐additive model. The estimated heritability was 0.20 (95% CI: 0.07–0.40), indicating a significant genetic component to acute cold‐stress tolerance in red drum.     

Evaluation of growth and dressing out parameters of experimental scaly crossbreds in 3-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758)

Performance tests of the Pr?erov Scaly Carp (PS), two crossbreds (PS × M72 and PS × ROP) and an internal control group (M2 × M72) were designed to assess their production and dressing out parameters at harvest size for their potential commercial utilization. The fastest growth rate (standard length (SL): 405±21.91 mm, P<0.01) and the highest final live weight (FLW: 2015.70±323.92 g, P<0.01) were recorded in the PS × ROP hybrid. The SL values in this group of carp were 12.5%, 19.12% and 11.57% higher (P<0.01) than those at M2 × M72, PS and PS × M72, respectively, and the FLW values were 21.57%, 62.83% and 24.37% higher (P<0.01) compared with M2 × M72, PS and PS × M72 hybrids respectively. Growth rate parameters of PS × M72 hybrid and control group M2 × M72 were practically identical. The lowest growth rate potential and FLW were recorded in the PS group (P<0.01). The highest (P<0.01) dressing out parameters were found in the control group of mirror carp M2 × M72 with a dressing percentage of 65.64±2.11%. There were practically no differences in this parameter between scaly carp groups (PS: 61.79±2.82%, PS × M72: 61.51±1.72%, PS × ROP: 63.60±1.96%). This study shows evidence for faster somatic growth and bigger final weight in the hybrid line PS × ROP of 3‐year‐old common carp compared with the pure line PS and the crossbreed PS × M72.     

Genotyping‐by‐sequencing for construction of a new genetic linkage map and QTL analysis of growth‐related traits in Pacific bluefin tuna

Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) has high market value, but its wild populations have decreased in recent years. The broodstock of Pacific bluefin tuna that were hatched artificially and reared under aquaculture conditions is beginning to be used for production. The creation of broodstock with commercially valuable traits, such as rapid growth, is therefore of great interest. Genetic linkage map‐based identification of markers associated with quantitative trait loci (QTLs) facilitates marker‐assisted selection (MAS) breeding and allows efficient genetic improvement of broodstock. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐based genetic linkage map construction using the genotyping‐by‐sequencing method can expand the number of mapped markers and help identify growth‐related QTLs. In this study, we constructed sex‐specific maps for 24 linkage groups consisting of 677 SNP and 651 microsatellite markers. The total lengths of 93 progenies in the mapping population followed normal distribution, with an average length of 9.4 mm. We performed composite interval mapping in the mapping population. QTL analysis revealed one significant QTL in LG10 on the female linkage map. The genetic linkage map—the second such map generated for Pacific bluefin tuna—and the growth‐related QTLs detected in this study will be useful for tuna aquaculture MAS programs.     

QTL mapping for glycogen content and shell pigmentation in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas using microsatellites and SNPs

Glycogen content and shell pigmentation are two important economic traits of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. The first set of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the two traits was determined in an F1 full-sib family based on a sex-averaged linkage map. The linkage map was constructed using 120 SSRs, and 66 expressed sequence tag-derived single nucleotide polymorphisms (EST–SNPs). Two QTLs were found to be associated with glycogen content, explaining 0.27–79.05 % of the phenotypic variation. One QTL on LG9 were found to be related to shell pigmentation, the paternal and maternal alleles explaining 6.75 and 17.44 % of the phenotypic variation. The relationship of glycogen content with left shell depth and QTL linkage group analysis suggests that left shell depth and volume might be used to assist in indirect selection for glycogen content. The constructed linkage map and determined QTLs can provide a tool for further genetic analysis of the traits and be potential for marker-assisted selection in C. gigas breeding.     

Use of Bacillus coagulans as a Dietary Probiotic for the Common Carp,Cyprinus carpio

Effect of viable Bacillus coagulans as a dietary probiotic on the growth performance, survivorship, immune response, and meat quality of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, was investigated. Three treatments (T‐1, T‐2, and T‐3) and a control, each with three replicates, were established. T‐1, T‐2, and T‐3 groups were fed with diets containing different levels of probiotic (1 × 10⁷ cfu/g, 2 × 10⁷ cfu/g, and 4 × 10⁷ cfu/g, respectively). After 45 d, the fish fed with probiotic had significantly higher (P < 0.05) daily weight gain compared to that of the control group. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in final weight, relative weight gain rate, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, and respiratory burst activities were obtained in the T‐2 and T‐3 compared with those of the control. Fish in the control group showed the lowest (P < 0.05) content of complement component 3. Significantly (P < 0.05) improved contents of crude fat, inosine, and inosinic acid were observed in the T‐2 and T‐3. Our results indicated that the use of B. coagulans as a dietary probiotic for the common carp could improve growth performance, meat quality, and induce a positive modulation on immune response.     

Effect of feeding Lactobacillus-based probiotics on the gut microflora, growth and survival of postlarvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

The present study was conducted to study probiotics treatment in the post‐larval diet of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Three hundred postlarvae (average weight, 114–118 mg±0.11) were divided in five experimental groups each with four replicates. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. Experimental diets were identical in all the aspects except for variation in the probiotics strain. T1 and T2 groups were fed Lactobacillus acidophilus (140×10¹¹ CFU 100 g^?1) and L. sporogenes (24×10⁷ CFU 100 g^?1) respectively. The T3 group was fed L. sporogenes bioencapsulated in Artemia nauplii. T4 was the control group (without probiotic) whereas T5 was fed Artemia along with control diet. The bacteriological study indicated that the gut microflora of postlarvae are devoid of lactic acid bacteria. The probiotic strains were found to have inhibitory effects against the gram‐negative bacterial flora present in the gut. Growth of the probiotic fed groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control group. Significantly higher growth (P<0.05), per cent weight gain (132.5%), specific growth rate (1.41%), feed efficiency ratio (FER) (0.45), protein efficiency ratio (1.29) and protein gain (161.6%) were recorded in T3 group fed Artemia bioencapsulated L. sporogenes over the control group (P<0.05). Although insignificant (P>0.05), growth‐promoting effects of L. sporogenes were found to be higher than L. acidophillus. Survival of the postlarvae was not affected by probiotics in the diet.     

Cold tolerance of tilapia species and hybrids

Several experiments were conducted,involving Oreochromis mossambicus, O. aureusand their F₁ and F₂ hybrids to studythe genetic basis of cold tolerance in tilapiinefishes. Groups of fish, of similar age and grown underidentical conditions, were housed in replicated netenclosures in a controlled cooling water system.Survival time through a regime of controlledtemperature reduction was the observed parameter forcold tolerance. Intra-population variation anddifferences among species, hybrids and repeated spawnswithin a species were examined. There was nocorrelation between cold tolerance and fish size(within the range of 23–105mm standard length), andthe distribution for the trait was not normal. O. mossambicuswas the most cold-sensitive group,followed by the F₂, and the F₁ which wassimilar to O. aureus. Genetic variation in coldtolerance seems to have a large dominance component,based on the similarity of the F₁ hybrid to the O. aureus parent.     

Mass culture of fairy shrimp Streptocephalus proboscideus (Crustacea – Anostraca) and its use in larviculture of the Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus

This study was conducted with cysts of Streptocephalus proboscideus obtained from the University of Gent‐Belgium. The cysts were hatched in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) medium. The nauplii were reared at the Sturgeon Research Institute using a pure culture of Scenedesmus obliquus alga supplied at a density of 5 × 10³ cell mL⁻¹ that gradually increased to 1 × 10⁴, 5 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁵ cell mL⁻¹ with the growth of the nauplii. The nauplii attained sexual maturity and started producing cysts in 8 days and yielded a mean cyst number of 220±40 female⁻¹ brood⁻¹ cysts. These cysts were used in the larviculture of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus (Borodin). Forty‐three larvae of Persian sturgeon (mean weight: 15.4±1.1 mg; mean length: 27.1±2.7 mm) with roughly absorbed yolk sacs were stocked in three aquaria and fed S. proboscideus nauplii at 8‐h intervals. By the end of the experiment (day 5), the mean weight and length of Persian sturgeon larvae were 51.4±13.3 mg and 20.7±1.4 mm respectively.     

Dietary Beta-Glucans and Nucleotides Enhance Resistance of Red-Tail Black Shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, fam. Cyprinidae) to Streptococcus iniae Infection

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of commercially available beta‐glucan (Macrogard) and nucleotide (Aquagen) on the resistance to Streptococcus iniae infections in vaccinated or nonvaccinated juvenile red‐tail black sharks (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor, RTB) (1.4 ± 0.4 g weight total (WT), 5.6 ± 0.5 cm total length (TL)). The immunostimulants were added to a control diet formulated without any yeast source following the recommended doses of 1 g/kg feed for the beta‐glucan and 2 g/kg feed for the nucleotide. Beginning 4 d after introduction into tanks, fish were fed the experimental diets for 24 d, at 3% body weight per day, divided into two feedings. At the end of this period, fish were challenged by an intracoelomic injection of S. iniae. In the first experiment, both vaccinated and nonvaccinated fish were fed one of the two immunostimulants. In the second experiment, only vaccinated fish were fed the immunostimulants. Fish were vaccinated a week after being introduced into the system and challenged by intracoelomic injection with 1.5 × 10⁵ S. iniae colony‐forming units /fish after three additional weeks; mortality was recorded for 2 wk after the bacterial challenge. In the first experiment, the mortality of both vaccinated and nonvaccinated fish fed beta‐glucan (23 ± 7% and 82 ± 1%, respectively) or nucleotide (28 ± 6% and 86 ± 5%, respectively) was significantly lower than the mortality of the control groups (35 ± 4% and 93 ± 5%, respectively), but there was no significant difference in mortality between fish fed beta‐glucan or nucleotide. In the second experiment, the mortality of vaccinated fish fed beta‐glucan (25 ± 7%) or nucleotide (43 ± 9%) was significantly lower than that of vaccinated fish fed the control diet (69 ± 7%). In both experiments, there was no significant difference in growth rate among fish fed immunostimulants or the control diet. The results of this investigation demonstrated the efficacy of beta‐glucans and nucleotides in increasing resistance to S. iniae in RTB sharks.     

凡纳滨对虾多个引进群体的杂交配合力分析

利用人工授精技术,通过双列杂交和巢式交配设计,以7个凡纳滨对虾群体生产家系130个,建立育种基础群体.利用混合线性模型和广义线性模型,结合约束极大似然法估计不同引进群体体质量和存活性状的一般配合力(general combining ability,GCA)和特殊配合力(special combining ability,SCA).结果显示,对于体质量性状,UA5、UA4和SIN 3个群体的GCA值最高,分别为0.42、0.32和0.19;17个杂交组合中,UA5×SIN、UA1×UA2、UA4×UA5、UA4×SIN和UA1×SIN 5个组合体质量和存活性状的SCA值正向优势较明显,是生产优良子代的优先搭配组合;体质量和存活性状配合力方差分析结果显示,不同环境下体质量性状GCA和SCA方差组分所占比例不同,但总体差异不大;相关性分析显示,不同环境下体质量性状配合力之间存在正相关,而存活性状存在负相关.     

Genetic changes during mass selection for growth in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), assessed by microsatellites

Two control (C1 or first control generation, and C4 or fourth control generation) and three selected (S1 or first selected generation, S2 or second selected generation, S4 or fourth selected generation) stocks of Chitralada Nile tilapia were analysed for microsatellite variation to determine the effect of size‐specific mass selection on genetic variability. Genetic variation based on five microsatellite loci (UNH123, UNH147, UNH172, UNH222 and UNH216) showed a slightly higher allelic diversity in the selected stocks (7.4–10 alleles) than in the control stocks (6.8–8.8 alleles). Apparent reductions in the mean number of alleles and H_e values were noted in successive generations of both control and selected lines. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium because of an excess of homozygotes indicated inbreeding in all control and selected stocks. Although estimated inbreeding levels were not significantly different among selected and control lines based on Welch's t‐tests, the increase in the degree of inbreeding within the selected line was higher (107.9%) than the control line (64.2%) after four generations. The implications of these results on the management and conservation of genetic diversity in improved breeds are discussed, while the importance of monitoring and minimizing inbreeding are likewise emphasized.     

Effects of dietary inactivated Pediococcus pentosaceus on growth performance,feed utilization and blood characteristics of red sea bream,Pagrus major juvenile

A feeding trial was carried out to determine effects of dietary supplements of inactivated Pediococcus pentosaceus (PP) on growth, feed utilization and blood characteristics of red sea bream. Five diets containing different concentrations [0 (PP0), 1.6 × 10¹⁰ (PPI), 1.6 × 10¹¹ (PPII), 1.6 × 10¹² (PPIII) and 3.2 × 10¹² (PPIV) cells g^?1] of PP were fed to fish for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, the obtained results revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in weight gain, specific growth rate and skin mucus secretion in all PP‐supplemented groups when compared with control group. Moreover, fish fed PPIII and PPIV diets resulted in significantly higher final body weight, feed efficiency ratio and bactericidal activity than those of fish fed PP0 diet (P < 0.05). Further, fish fed the PPIII diet also had a higher feed intake, protein efficiency retention, haematocrit, mucus lysozyme activity (LA), plasma and serum proteins than those of PP0 fed group (P < 0.05). Similarly, fish fed PPIV diet resulted in a significant increase in serum LA, peroxidase activity and tolerance against low‐salinity stress test (P < 0.05). Considering these promising results, we suggest that the supplementation of PP Prep improves growth and health conditions of Pagrus major.     

Effects of size grading on growth, survival and cheliped injuries of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana) summerlings (age 0+)

Effects of size grading and stocking density on growth and survival of 3.5‐month‐old signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana) juveniles were investigated in a 3 × 2 factorial design with size group (small, large and mixed) and stocking density (25 and 200 individuals m^?2) as factors for 90 days. Carapace length and wet weight growth of the juveniles were affected by the presence or absence of other size groups, stocking density and animal size. All factors had statistically significant interactions, which make the interpretation of the results more complicated. The smaller crayfish grew faster in the absence of large animals and larger animals benefited from the presence of smaller cospecies. Increasing density decreased the growth in length and weight. Survival (82–100%) was good in all groups. Subsequently, the within population dynamics was studied by selectively removing the largest individuals (selectively removing (SR) group). Effects on growth and survival of the remaining juveniles were evaluated on 6‐month‐old P. leniusculus juveniles reared in plastic tanks (100 juveniles m^?2) for 122 days. Size distribution manipulation was performed at days 34 and 70. Juveniles in SR group grew significantly faster in comparison with a control group (RR), from which juveniles were removed randomly. Also, the survival rate was significantly higher in the SR group than in the RR group. In conclusion, size grading of juvenile P. leniusculus either at the start of the experiment or repeatedly during the experiment increased growth performance of smaller animals in length and weight.     

尼罗罗非鱼微卫星标记与主要生长性状的相关性分析

为了筛选到与尼罗罗非鱼生长相关的分子标记,并对这些标记进行准确性鉴定,运用65个微卫星标记对鹭业和番禺2个尼罗罗非鱼群体进行了PCR扩增,再利用SPSS软件一般线性模型(GLM)对这些微卫星位点与尼罗罗非鱼体重等主要生长性状进行了标记性状连锁关联分析。结果表明,鹭业群体中有8个微卫星标记(UNH130,UNH183,UNH911,GM558,UNH211,UNH176,UNH914和UNH974)与主要生长性状显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),其中有2个微卫星标记(UNH914和UNH974)与番禺群体的主要生长性状显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),1个微卫星标记(UNH176)只与体重显著相关(P<0.05)。通过对与生长性状相关标记的基因型和表型值进行多重比较,得到了对体重、体长和体高3种性状有利的基因型或等位基因。发现了对罗非鱼生长性状有显著效应的微卫星位点,为开展罗非鱼的分子标记辅助育种提供了有价值的遗传标记。