Dynamic genetic analysis for body weight and main length ratio in turbot Scophthalmus maximus

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of body width (BW) to body length (BL) ratio (BW/BL) and of body weight traits (BWT) in turbot, and to elucidate the genetic mechanism of the two traits during ontogeny by dynamic genetic analysis. From 3 to 27 months, BW, BL and BWT of each communally stocked fish were measured every 3 months. The BW/BL ratio was measured at different sampling ages. A two-trait animal model was used for genetic evaluation of traits. The results showed that the heritability values of BW/BL ratio ranged from 0.216 8 to 0.314 8, corresponding to moderate heritability. The BWT heritability values ranged from 0.270 2 to 0.347 9 corresponding to moderate heritability. The heritability of BW/BL ratio was lower than that of BWT, except at 3 months of age. Genetic correlation between BW/BL ratio and BWT decreased throughout the measurement period. Genetic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlations. The current results for estimating genetic parameters demonstrate that the BW/BL ratio could be used as a phenotypic marker of fast-growing turbot, and the BW/BL ratio and BWT could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding.