ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the effects of sex and the linear and quadratic components of age of dam at calving, as well as apply a mixed model including maternal effect for the genetic evaluation of weaning (WW) and yearling (YW) weights. The phenotypic database was composed by Charolais, Caracu, Aberdeen Angus, and Canchim purebred and crossbred animals. Single-trait analyses were performed using models that included the maternal effect for WW and YW traits, and a model ignoring this effect on YW (YWNM). The Deviance Information Criterion (DIC), model posterior probabilities (MPP), accuracy of breeding values (ACC), and Spearman’s rank correlation were applied to compare the models including and ignoring the maternal effect on YW. Sex and age of dam at calving had significant effects on WW and YW. The direct heritability estimates were 0.21±0.03 and 0.05±0.02, and the maternal heritabilities were 0.11±0.02 and 0.02±0.01 for WW and YW, respectively. The heritabilities estimated for YW may have been influenced by the several genetic groups in the population and by used conventional animal model, which may not have been the better fit model to evaluate YW in this population. The DIC, MPP, and ACC values indicated that YW outperformed the YWNM model, but the rank correlation and percentages of individuals selected in common suggested that the best animals would be selected independently of the model chosen.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated morphometric and ultrasound information of tilapia (O. niloticus) breeders through multivariate analysis. We applied correlation, clustering, and principal component analysis to a dataset composed of information from 222 male and female breeders of the improved GIFT strain. The body weight, objective of the breeding program, showed a high positive correlation with most of the morphometric parameters. The formation of clusters indicated characteristics responsible for muscle composition and carcass weight. Some characteristics showed a high correlation, such as body weight and fillet weight (0.98 and 0.94 for females and males, respectively), and a high contribution to the explanation of data variability; of the total characteristics evaluated for females, two explained 75% data variability and four explained 72% for males. We concluded that it is possible to reduce the number of characteristics measured, as well as use information of average daily weight gain and body weight to select female and male breeders, respectively, to drive genetic gains favoring more productive generations.

Resumo:O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos e valores genéticos das características peso à despesca e ganho de peso diário de tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), avaliadas durante cinco anos de cultivo em tanques-rede. O conjunto de dados continha registros de 6.650 animais, com valores genéticos preditos de 8.590 animais na matriz de parentesco. O número de animais avaliados foi de 2.196 (33 famílias), em 2008; 1.721 (58 famílias), em 2009; e 2.733 (78 famílias), em 2010. Análises uni- e bicaracter do conjunto de dados foram realizadas com uso do método de inferência bayesiana, por meio do programa computacional MTGSAM. As estimativas de herdabilidade obtidas foram de média magnitude: 0,273, para ganho de peso diário; e 0,282, para peso à despesca. A participação dos efeitos de ambiente comum na variação total foi de 15% para larvicultura e de 5% para alevinagem. As correlações genéticas e fenotípicas foram de 95%, o que indica forte associação entre as características. O ganho genético foi de 3,8% por geração, com acumulado de 15% em quatro gerações. Houve progresso genético e mudanças, causadas pela seleção de tilápias-do-nilo, nas condições de cultivo avaliadas. A seleção quanto ao ganho de peso permite ganhos indiretos relacionados ao peso.

Abstract:The objective of this work was to estimate genetic parameters and breeding values for body weight at harvest and daily weight gain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), evaluated in cages for five years. The data set contained records of 6,650 animals, with predicted breeding values of 8,590 animals in the relationship matrix. The number of animals evaluated was 2,196 (33 families) in 2008; 1,721 (58 families) in 2009; and 2,733 (78 families) in 2010. Single and two-trait analyses from the data set were performed using Bayesian inference methodology by the computer program MTGSAM. The obtained heritability estimates were of medium magnitude, as follows: 0.273, for daily weight gain; and 0.282, for body weight at harvest. The participation of common environmental effects in the total variation was of 15% for larvae and 5% for nurseries. The genetic and phenotypic correlations were of 95%, indicating a strong association between the traits. Genetic gain was 3.8% per generation, with accumulated 15% over four generations. There were genetic progress and changes caused by the selection of Nile tilapia in the evaluated growing conditions. The selection for weight gain allows of indirect gains associated to weight.

Resumo:O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar parâmetros genéticos e respostas direta e indireta à seleção de características de desempenho em tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), bem como avaliar o impacto da seleção sobre o ganho genético. Foram utilizadas informações de tilápias-do-nilo, sob seleção em um programa de melhoramento genético, cultivadas em sistema de tanques-rede, de 2008 a 2010. Estimaram-se herdabilidades e correlações genéticas das características ganho em peso diário e, à despesca, peso, largura, altura e comprimento do tronco, além dos ganhos genéticos obtidos com as estimativas de tendências genéticas e das respostas à seleção dessas características. As estimativas de herdabilidade ficaram em torno de 30%. As estimativas de correlações genéticas e de postos foram de alta magnitude. O ganho genético direto para ganho em peso diário foi de 7,9, 5,18 e 9,43%, em 2008, 2009 e 2010, respectivamente. Os ganhos genéticos obtidos a partir das tendências genéticas foram de 6,36, 6,30, 1,62, 1,65 e 1,51%, respectivamente, para ganho em peso diário, peso, largura, altura e comprimento do tronco. O incremento na velocidade de crescimento por meio da seleção impacta positivamente características de desempenho em tilápia-do-nilo.

Abstract:The objective of this work was to estimate genetic parameters and direct and indirect responses to selection for performance traits in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), as well as to evaluate the impact of selection on genetic gain. Information about Nile tilapia, under selection in a genetic improvement program, grown in a net-tank system, from 2008 to 2010, was used. Heritability and genetic correlations for the traits daily weight gain, and, immediately after catching, weight, width, height, and trunk length were estimated, besides the genetic gains obtained by the estimation of genetic tendencies and of the responses to selection for these traits. Heritability estimates were around 30%. The estimates of genetic and rank correlations had high magnitude. The direct genetic gain for daily weight gain was 7.9, 5.18, and 9.43% in 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively. The genetic gains obtained from the genetic tendencies were 6.36, 6.30, 1.62, 1.65, and 1.51%, respectively, for daily weight gain, and trunk weight, width, height, and length. The increased growth rate through selection positively impacts performance traits in Nile tilapia.

The main factor considered in breeding programs for fish is growth, which can be assessed in terms of a gain in either weight or body measurements. This study was undertaken to evaluate the morphometric traits of GIFT strain tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) selected for weight gain. The data set used contained information on 6,650 animals. The genetic values of 8,590 animals in a relationship matrix of five generations were predicted. The following morphometric measurements were evaluated: standard length; body depth and body width. Body area and volume were also calculated. Bi-character analyses involving morphometric traits were used to estimate (co)variance components. Heritability, larval and fingerling common environmental effects were estimated for each trait, together with the genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits. Bayesian procedures were utilised by Gibbs chains, and the convergence of the chains was tested using the Heidelberger and Welch method. Genetic trends were estimated by segmented regression of the fish breeding values of the generations considered in this study. Estimates of heritability (0.28 a 0.31) had moderate to high magnitudes for all traits. Genetic correlations between traits were all above 0.8, and the genetic gains were satisfactory from the third generation onwards. From the estimates of the genetic parameters and genetic gain the morphometric traits evaluated have good potential for selection.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar as herdabilidades e a estrutura de correlações genéticas entre as características de desempenho de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) da linhagem GIFT, em diferentes estágios do ciclo de produção. As tilápias foram cultivadas em tanques-rede. Mediu-se ganho em peso diário total, peso vivo e ganho em peso diário, em quatro períodos, com intervalos de aproximadamente 30 dias. Foram realizadas análises unicaracter para as medidas, em todas as biometrias e, nas análises bicaracter, as medidas de mesma característica foram combinadas duas a duas e com o ganho em peso diário total. As estimações de herdabilidade variaram de 0,15 a 0,11 para peso vivo, 0,16 a 0,09 para ganho em peso diário e 0,17 a 0,12 para ganho em peso diário total, nas análises unicaracter. Os valores estimados de correlação genética para peso vivo e ganho em peso diário, associados ao ganho em peso diário total, variaram entre 0,37 a 0,98 e 0,74 a 0,88, respectivamente. A forte associação genética estimada entre peso vivo em biometrias intermediárias e ganho em peso diário total sugere que a seleção para velocidade de crescimento pode ser realizada de forma precoce.

The objective of this work was to estimate the structure and heritability of genetic correlations between the performance traits of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) of the GIFT lineage during different stages of the production cycle. The Nile tilapias were grown in net cages. Daily total weight gain, live weight, and daily weight gain were measured in four periods, in approximately 30-day intervals. One-trait analyses were performed for all biometric measurements, and, in the two-trait analyses, measurements of the same traits were combined in pairs and to daily total weight gain. Estimated heritabilities ranged from 0.15 to 0.11 for live weight, from 0.16 to 0.09 for daily weight gain, and from 0.17 to 0.12 for daily total weight gain in the one-trait analyses. Estimated values of genetic correlation for live weight and daily weight gain, associated with daily total weight gain, ranged from 0.37 to 0.98 and from 0.74 to 0.88, respectively. The high genetic correlation estimated between live weight in intermediate biometric measurements and daily total weight gain suggests that selection for growth rate may be performed earlier.