Heritability estimation of eggs and the newly hatched larvaeof wild Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)

Abstract

Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) is one of the most valuable fish species native to the Caspian Sea and Iran’s waters. This study was designed to estimate the heritability of Persian sturgeon eggs and larval hatching. Six fish were caught from the southern Caspian Sea and transferred to “Shahid Beheshti Propagation Complex” during 2016. Cross-breeding was carried out using a 3 × 3 factorial plan. The result of mating among them was nine treatments. For heritability estimates, the total weight, egg size (No. 405), overall weight, and total length of 135 pieces of newly hatched Persian sturgeon larvae were examined. Features including weight and size of larvae and eggs at blastula, gastrula, and neurola stages were evaluated. Weight and length of larvae were measured. Variance components were estimated using software R linear mixed model (LMM) closed Lme 4. Weights at blastula, gastrula, and neurola stages were 0.218 ± 0.124, 0.033 ± 0.01, and 0, respectively. At these stages, heritability of egg size showed 0.375 ± 0.145, 0, and 0, respectively. The heritability of weight and the total length of larvae recorded were 0.231 ± 0.122, 0.161 ± 0.042, respectively. The result of additive genetic value prediction identified three females and three males as the best breeders in the broodstock. The phenotypic correlations between egg weight and size at blastula, gastrula, and neurola stages were 0.106, 0.44, and 0.43, respectively. However, the weight and length correlation of larvae was 0.435. The estimated heritability for these traits supports its suitability as a selection tool in aquaculture.