Genetic parameters and genotype-environment interactions for skeleton deformities and growth traits at different ages on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurataL.) in four Spanish regions

Abstract

One of the most important problems of fish aquaculture is the high incidence of fish deformities, which are mainly skeletal. In this study, genetic parameters on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) for skeleton deformities at different ages (179, 269, 389, 539 and 689 days) and their correlations with growth traits were estimated, as were as their genotype × environment interactions (G × E) at harvesting age. A total of 4093 offspring from the mass spawning of three industrial broodstocks belonging to the PROGENSA(®) breeding programme were mixed and on-grown by different production systems in four Spanish regions: Canary Islands (tanks and cage), Andalusia (estuary), Catalonia (cage) and Murcia (cage). Parental assignment was inferred using the standardized SMsa1 microsatellite multiplex PCR. From three broodstocks, 139 breeders contributed to the spawn and a total of 297 full-sibling families (52 paternal and 53 maternal half-sibling families) were represented. Heritabilities at different ages were medium for growth traits (0.16-0.48) and vertebral deformities (0.16-0.41), and low for any type of deformity (0.07-0.26), head deformities (0.00-0.05) and lack of operculum (0.06-0.11). The genetic correlations between growth and deformity traits were medium and positive, suggesting that to avoid increasing deformities they should be taken into account in breeding programmes when growth is selected. The G × E interactions among the different facilities were weak for length and deformity and strong for growth rate during this period. These results highlight the potential for the gilthead seabream industry to reduce the prevalence of deformities by genetic improvement tools.

Detection of QTL associated with three skeletal deformities in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.): Lordosis, vertebral fusion and jaw abnormality

“…Moreover, these two QTL are located in the same LG (LG9 and 21) that significant QTL reported for growth (Loukovitis et al, 2012), morphology (Loukovitis et al, 2013) and size traits (Boulton et al, 2011) for this specie. This, together with the high and positive genetic correlations found by Lee-Montero et al (2014) between characters of growth and column deformity, support the location of these QTL of this study.…”

“…The present study identifies, for the first time, seven QTL for three of the most relevant and frequent skeletal deformities in gilthead seabream, what support the genetic component for this trait recently proposed by Lee-Montero et al (2014) and Negrín-Báez et al (2015). For vertebral fusion, one of the three QTL detected in this study was considered significant (QTLFV3), it was located in LG21.…”

Quantitative trait loci for a neurocranium deformity, lack of operculum, in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

“…Other studies suggest not only that the environment at an early age is the main factor influencing the prevalence of lack of operculum but also that it shows low additive genetic estimation when the fish reach a larger size (Lee‐Montero et al . ). Marker‐assisted selection (MAS) implemented with the identification of the genomic regions responsible for phenotypic variations [quantitative trait loci (QTL)], when included in breeding programmes, could be a useful tool to reduce the prevalence of lack of operculum.…”

“…; Lee‐Montero et al . ). Hence, microsatellite markers are useful molecular markers for genetic mapping, and they can be used in multiplex PCR to reduce costs and minimise errors in QTL search processes (Negrín‐Báez et al .…”

Erratum

“…Readers should note that in Lee‐Montero et al . , Dr. Yaisel Juan Borrell Pichs should be included in the list of co‐authors as follows:…”