Donor-oyster derived heritability estimates and the effect of genotype×environment interaction on the production of pearl quality traits in the silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima

The silver-lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima, produces the largest and most valuable pearls in the world. Despite the importance of this species very little is known about genetic parameters of commercially important pearl traits. As an initial step towards developing a selective breeding program, site selection effects, donor oyster derived genetic parameters and genotype by environment (G×E)interactions were estimated for pearl quality traits of P. maxima, originating from three populations (Aru, Bali, West Papua), reared at two commercial grow-out locations in Indonesia (Bali and Lombok). Microsatellite-based DNA parentage analyses were used to assign oysters to families and population of origin. Six pearl traits that are together the major determinants of pearl value (pearl weight (g), size (mm), shape, colour, complexion and lustre) were recorded at harvest. Pearls produced at the Lombok site were bigger and more valuable compared to pearls produced at the Bali site (P