Genetic parameter estimations of new traits of morphological quality on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) by using IMAFISH_ML software

• Published in: Aquaculture reports Vol. 21; p. 100883
• Main Authors: León-Bernabeu, Sergi, Shin, Hyun Suk, Lorenzo-Felipe, Álvaro, García-Pérez, Cathaysa, Berbel, Concepción, Elalfy, Islam Said, Armero, Eva, Pérez-Sánchez, Jaume, Arizcun, Marta, Zamorano, María Jesús, Manchado, Manuel, Afonso, Juan Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-11-2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Genetic correlation; Gilthead seabream; Heritability; IMAFISH_ML; KET; Non-invasive Technology (NiT); Genetic correlation; Heritability; KET; Gilthead seabream; IMAFISH_ML; Non-invasive Technology (NiT)
• ISSN: 2352-5134; 2352-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aqrep.2021.100883

In this study, a total of 18 novel productive traits, three related to carcass [cNiT] and fifteen related to morphometric [mNiT]), were measured in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) using Non-invasive Technologies (NiT) as implemented in IMAFISH_ML (MatLab script). Their potential to be used in industrial breeding programs were evaluated in 2348 offspring reared under different production systems (estuarine ponds, oceanic cage, inland tank) at harvest. All animals were photographed, and digitally measured and main genetic parameters were estimated. Heritability for growth traits was medium (0.25–0.37) whereas for NiT traits medium-high (0.24–0.61). In general, genetic correlations between mNiT, cNiT and growth and traits were high and positive. Image analysis artifacts such as fin unfold or shades, that may interfere in the precision of some digital measurements, were discarded as a major bias factor since heritability of NiT traits after correcting them were no significantly different from original ones. Indirect selection of growth traits through NiT traits produced a better predicted response than directly measuring Body Weight (13–23%), demonstrating that this methodological approach is highly cost-effective in terms of accuracy and data processing time.
•Genetic parameters were estimated for new technological traits defined by IMAFISH:ML software, in gilthead seabream.•High genetic correlations between novel non-invasive technological traits (NiT) with growth traits.•Direct selection of NiT traits and correlated response of body weight trait.•Format effect evaluation of unedited and edited images on estimations of genetic parameters.