Big and beautiful? Quantitative genetic parameters for appearance of large rainbow trout

Authors: Kause, A.¹; Ritola, O.²; Paananen, T.²; Eskelinen, U.³; Mäntysaari, E.¹

Source: Journal of Fish Biology, Volume 62, Number 3, March 2003 , pp. 610-622(13)

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Abstract:

A quantitative genetic analysis of body condition, body shape, skin colour and spottiness of large, farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss showed that the traits can be modified through selective breeding. This was indicated by their high heritabilities (h² = 0·46-0·61 on the underlying liability scale and 0·29-0·50 on the observed scale). Correlations calculated using linear models showed that skin colour and the amount of spots displayed positive phenotypic (r_P = 0·33) and genetic correlations (r_A = 0·83), the relationship being advantageous for the genetic improvement of the traits. Body shape and condition factor displayed disadvantageous correlations with body mass at both ages, the genetic correlations between the traits ranging from 0·36 to 0·57. It was concluded that there are no strong genetic constraints for the genetic improvement of appearance, the only limitation being that rapidly growing fish become rotund.

Keywords: animal breeding; body mass; body shape; genetic correlation; heritability; skin colour

Document Type: Regular paper

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00051.x

Affiliations: 1: MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Animal Production Research, Animal Breeding, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland, 2: Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Tervo Fisheries Research and Aquaculture, FIN-72210 Tervo, Finland and 3: Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Laukaa Fisheries Research and Aquaculture, FIN-41360 Valkola, Finland

Publication date: 2003-03-01