Genetic parameters estimation for growth traits in cultured tiger pufferfish (fugu), Takifugu rubripes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic parameters of the growth performance of Takifugu rubripes . Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for body weight (BW), body length (BL), total length (TL), chest measurement (CM) and trunk length (TKL) of T. rubripes from measurements of progeny at 6 months and 12 months. The results showed that the heritability was 0.37 for BW6, 0.19 for BL6, 0.35 for TL6, 0.29 for CM6, 0.26 for TKL6, 0.36 for BW12, 0.26 for BL12, 0.25 for TL12, 0.31 for CM12 and 0.15 for TKL12. The range of genetic correlations estimated at 6 months was 0.025–0.725 and −0.002–0.706 at 12 months. The results indicated that genetic improvement for faster growth rate or increased body weight in cultured T. rubripes was effective. Based on selection theory, the selection strategy for traits with medium heritability is flexible. Considering that these growth traits do not reach the high level of heritability, family selection should be expected. Given positive genetic correlations among BW, BL, TL, CM, and TKL at 6 months, the five traits could be improved simultaneously through selective breeding. As there was high genetic correlation only between BW12, BL12 and TL12, and negative correlations between TKL12 and BL12 as well as between CM12 and TL12, and only BW, BL and TL at 12 months could be improved simultaneously.