Common Carp Stocks Research Articles

The effect of a genetically improved common carp stock on the productivity of pond ecosystem: Implication for selective breeding in nature-close conditions

Aquaculture in Central Europe is mainly performed in man-made fishponds. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), the main fish species, grows on natural food developing in fishponds and supplemental feeds (SF). Previously, it was found that common carp (CC) growth may be improved by selective breeding (SB). However, there is a question if such stocks could utilize the fishpond natural resources better and increase the mass yield per unit of water surface area. Otherwise, SB would be useless. In this study, we compared the production parameters of two mirror CC stocks (M2 and M2 x AMC) fed with two supplemental feeds (grain and carp plant-based pellets). The cross-bred M2 x AMC represented a model stock with higher performance potential comparable to a stock after several generations of SB for better growth. The study was performed in fishponds of Fish Farm Klatovy under their common practice over the three age categories of carp (CO – C3). Each mirror carp stock was reared separately with an internal scaly control group (CG) to evaluate potential environmental biases. Performance and production parameters between the two mirror carp groups and distributed SF were compared from a total of 43 fishponds using generalized linear models. It was found that the M2 x AMC showed remarkably higher overall mean individual weight gain (by 24.9%; 281 g vs. 351 g) and survival (by 16%; 46.6% vs. 54.4%). Moreover, fishponds stocked with the M2 x AMC displayed significantly higher (23.7 – 58.3%) mirror and total carp mass and mirror, total, standardized, relative and estimated carp mass yields, while the CG performed similarly in both groups of fishponds. No effects of the SFs on the production parameters were observed. Results suggest that SB for faster growth in common carp for a minimum of 3–5 generations should be manifested in a gradual increase of mass yields without changing the fishpond management.

Comparision of growth of mature all-female and mixed-sex Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) stocks in RAS

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is the most important fish species in Hungary, it is more than 70% of the total Hungarian fish production. The common carp production is important not only just in Hungary but in Middle-East Europe, as well as Southeast Asia. Majority of the production comes from fishpond culture. If the production sector wants to meet the increasing customer demands, there is need to intensify research on the intensive fish production opportunities for example all-female common carp technologies. The all-female technology is one of a genom-manipulation technology. Its production showed better growth rate than mixed-sex population in pond culture. Our experiment combined the recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) and the all-female common carp stocks intensification technologies. The reason for the experiment, is that there are no result about the growth of all-female common carp growth in RAS. 
 The experiment used the „Tatai grey scale type” common carp stocks. We propagated two all-female stocks (T2 and T3) and a control group (TK). Due to technological characteristics of RAS, the water quality parameters were the same for all treatments and corresponded to the technological tolerance of common carp.
 The experimental period was from July 10, 2019 – November 20, 2019. Result of growth performance showed that the growth of mixed-sex stock was significantly higher than all-female stocks; (Control=3692.0±590.5g, T2=3438.8±415.4g, T3=3294.1±659.1g). Feed conversation ratio (Control=1.3±0.1 T2=1.5±0.2 T3=1.6±0.5) and SGR% (Control=0.8±0.0 T2=0.7±0.1 T3=0.7±0.1) were similar. 
 By the results it can be said the all-female common carp technology has neither advantages nor disadvantages compared to the mixed-sex stock. The all-female technology can be beneficial if the consumers need female common carps. It is worth continuing the experiment and examine how the stocks will perform above 3kg body weight.

COLOR POLYMORPHISMS ON COMMON CARP CULTURED IN INDONESIA

In most cases, phenotypic variation is partly a result of genetic differences and partly environmental in origin. It appears that polymorphism is caused by some gene frequency changes which are due to natural selection. Morphological markers (body color and scale pattern) are the easiest indicators to identify and important when large sample are involved. In addition, the coloration in food fishes is often important in determining market price. Moreover, the production of fish depends not only on their genes and environment but also on the interaction of these two factors. Several investigations reported that some color genes have pleiotropic effect on growth rate and viability of fish. Hence, it is important to understand the basis of color polymorphisms in order toenhance genetic improvement and brood stock management plans for common carp in Indonesia. The occurrence color polymorphism showed that the proportion (%) of each color morphs in each farm showed a high proportion of green color morph in common carp stocks. Dark colored carps are preferred over brightly pigmented ones. Bright colored morphs are preferred to the colorless (white). Comparison among the red, yellow, white, green and blue color morphs of common carp showed that each morph has its own specific chromatophore type densities, pigment distribution pattern. The study also showed that color variation is governed by the types of pigment cells present. The genetic color polymorphisms study showed that various color phenotypes were mainly controlled by simple Mendelian inheritance. Symbols for gene loci proposed as follow: B1 and B2 for common green body background (wild type allele), R1 and R2 for red and yellow. T is for wild nontransparent scale type and P for uniform body color background. B1 and B2 are epistatic to R1 and R2 genes. On the basis of the growth rate comparison results obtained on common carp in Indonesia, there was evidence that dark color (green and blue) common carp gained weight faster than the light color one (red). Green and blue colored showed similarity in growth performance.

Growth of common carp Cyprinus carpio in Anatolia (Turkey), with a comparison to native and invasive areas worldwide

AbstractCommon carp Cyprinus carpio occurs in several non‐native areas worldwide, where it is generally regarded as either naturalised or invasive. Anatolia (Turkey) represents a unique region for evaluating common carp growth, due both to its location at the southernmost range of expansion of the species' wild form and to most of its water bodies having been stocked with domesticated strains. Based on a review of length‐at‐age data for common carp stocks from 45 water bodies sampled between 1953 and 2007, regional patterns in growth across climates, water body types, scalation variants and sexes, along with altitudinal gradients in growth performance and mortality, were investigated. Growth rates were lower in cold and arid relative to temperate climates, and also under hot or dry summers; this was true also of the mirror relative to the scale variant, males to females, but not of water body types (i.e., man‐made reservoirs, natural lakes, water courses). Growth performance and mortality decreased with increasing altitude and decreasing temperature, likely due to optimisation of resource allocation between growth and reproduction. Growth rate of common carp from Anatolia was consistently lower compared to its native (Eurasian) and, especially, invasive (North American) counterparts, which reflected an opportunistic life‐history strategy. Lower growth rates in Anatolia were ascribed to lower resilience of the widespread mirror variant together with limited habitat for spawning in man‐made reservoirs. Better knowledge of common carp growth in Anatolia will improve stock management and conservation efforts. Further studies will help clarify the mechanisms responsible for evolutionary genotype–phenotype inter‐relationships.

Genetic characterization of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) populations from Greece using mitochondrial DNA sequences

Wild common carp from two lakes and two rivers in Greece were genetically characterized with sequencing analysis of two mitochondrial DNA segments: cytochrome b (1119 bp) and D-loop (646 bp). A total of 9 variable singleton sites and 7 unique haplotypes were detected. A common haplotype was found in three out of the four populations examined, which seems to be the ancestral one and represents the European origin of common carp from Greece. This haplotype could be also justified by the introductions reported with individuals belonging to the Central European race, into many natural habitats in Greece. Limited genetic variation — in Evros and Aliakmonas populations — could be due to bottleneck effects and small effective population sizes, whereas the different haplotypes found in Lake Volvi could represent different common carp stocks. Values of sequence divergence among Greek haplotypes ranged from 0.0006 to 0.0023. The Neighbour-Joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree constructed based on the combined sequences, reveals that the populations of common carp from Greece belong to the European group of populations — which is highly divergent from the South East-Asia cluster — and to the subspecies Cyprinus carpio carpio.

A novel male-specific DNA sequence in the common carp, Cyprinus carpio

In this study, we identified a sex-specific DNA marker using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting in Yellow River carps ( Cyprinus carpio from the Yellow River). Two hundred and twenty random primers were used in pooled DNA samples and individual DNA samples from male and female fish for RAPD fingerprinting. When using the primer S2107, a novel sex-specific PCR product was identified in all male individuals. DNA sequencing revealed that this 909 bp long DNA fragment has a low similarity to a repetitive sequence in zebrafish Danio rerio. In order to confirm the amplification results, two primers were designed within the male-specific sequence in order to amplify the sex-specific fragment from genomic DNA of male and female carps for sexing by PCR. The results indicated bands specific for males but not females. Respective results were obtained in dot blot and Southern blot hybridization experiments when using this sex-specific fragment as the probe. The sex-specific pattern was observed in 30 individuals from three separate common carp stocks, suggesting that the sequence is conserved in common carp species. However, no hybridization signals were found in grass carps Ctenopharyngodon idella, which are related to common carps. We submit to use this sex-specific fragment as a marker to rapidly and accurately identify the gender of Yellow River C. carpio. Furthermore, the sex-specific chromosome region may be characterized and used to study mechanisms of chromosome evolution in this fish species.

Genetic diversity in common carp stocks assayed by random-amplified polymorphic DNA markers

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) is one of the major aquaculture species, contributing nearly 35% to the inland fish production in Karnataka, India. Stocks collected from Hungary (2), Indonesia and Vietnam were assessed alongside two local stocks in a series of culture performance trials with the objective of setting up a base population for developing a breeding programme. The present study deals with the genetic divergence and polymorphism in these six stocks using random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A total of 180 decamer random primers were screened for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification (OPA 1-20, OPB1-20, OPC1-20, OPD1-20, OPE1-20, OPF1-20, OPG1-20, OPP1-20 and OPM1-20). Eight primers were selected for analysis of common carp genotypes (OPA-7, OPA-20, OPB-17, OPF-10, OP F-9, OPG-4, OPG-9 and OPP-16). Out of 492 bands recorded, 57.1% were polymorphic. Stepwise regression analysis was carried out to find best combination markers affecting body weight (P<0.001). The results demonstrate major differences in the genetic structures between different stocks. Dendrogram data showed grouping of individuals according to stocks and corresponding data variables revealed the per cent homology within the stock and also found markers correlating to the body weight.

AFLP Fingerprinting Reveals Genetic Variability in Common Carp Stocks from Indonesia

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting was used to detect genetic variability in two stocks of common carps (Majalaya carp and Sinyonya carp) and second generation gynogens derived from the Majalaya carp. Primer combinations, E-AAC/M-CAA, EAGG/M-CAC and E-ACC/M-CTT yielded 299 selectively amplified loci of which 66.2% were polymorphic. Maximum polymorphism was evident in the Majalaya carp and minimum among the gynogens. Four types of AFLP bands which were useful to differentiate the stocks in question were identified. Band Sharing Index (BSI) matrix was generated from the band binary value sets. Maximum average BSI was exhibited by the gynogens and minimum by the Majalaya carp. Inter-stock comparisons showed the gynogens to be closest to the Majalaya and farthest from the Sinyonya stock

Present state of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) stocks in Indonesia

The common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) stocks in Indonesia are descendants of common carp brought from China, Europe, Taiwan and Japan. The Punten carp and Majalaya carp are the result of selection conducted in Indonesia. Based on morphological characteristics, there are at least 10 common carp stocks known to date. Some stocks can be easily distinguished by observing their morphological characteristics, e.g. Majalaya, Sinyonya, Domas, Kancra-domas, red (merah), mirror, long-fin (Kum-pay), and koi. The Punten and Taiwan carp stocks are relatively difficult to identify morphologically. In the field, uncontrolled breeding systems for common carp stocks result in mixed stocks. Purification of the stocks has been conducted since 1989. The second generation of gynogenetic diploids of some stocks has been obtained. Experiments of sex-reversal to change genotype females to functional males are being conducted.

Selection of Krasnodar common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) for resistance to dropsy: principal results and prospects

The development of long-term work on common carp selection for resistance to dropsy, a very serious infectious disease, is reviewed. The work was initiated at the Angelinka Experimental Fish Farm (Krasnodar Region, North Caucasus) in 1965. The selection was carried out on three common carp stocks; local mirror carp (L), a full-scaled Ropsha Carp (R), and a new hybrid line of Ukrainian-Ropsha scaled carp (UR). The 8th and 9th generations of these three stocks were produced from 1986 to 1990. Further mass selection of fish for resistance to dropsy and for high growth rate was carried out. The severity of selection was moderate (30–35%) and, in the case of selection for growth rate, the intensity of selection ( i) was from 0.5 to 1.0. Differences in resistance to dropsy between the three stocks were detected; the UR stock appeared to be most resistant. Genetic differences between stocks in allelic frequencies of some protein loci progressively decreased during the course of selection. Numerous tests showed that selection for resistance was effective. The selected stocks, especially UR fish and reciprocal UR × L crosses, are currently reared on many fish farms of North Caucasus. The major goals of future selection work with Krasnodar carp are: breeding of a UR stock homozygous for the gene S (full scale cover) to prevent undesirable segregation; conversion to the more effective family method of selection; obtaining detailed data on heterosis in crosses; analysis of the inheritance of high resistance to dropsy and determination of heritability; and detection and cloning of major genes responsible for high resistance to dropsy.

Comparison of electrophoretic allele frequencies and genetic variability of common carp stocks from Indonesia and Japan

Allele frequencies and genetic variability of six stocks of common carp collected from Indonesia and three stocks from Japan were evaluated. Twenty-three loci were identified from 11 enzyme and protein systems. Five loci were polymorphic for the Indonesian stocks and eight loci were polymorphic for the Japanese stocks. PGM, EST and GPI were useful for comparison between the Indonesian and Japanese stocks as well as stocks from Europe and China. In general, genetic variability of the stocks from Japan was higher than that of stocks from Indonesia. The genetic distance between pairs of stocks, based on 23 isozyme and protein loci, showed distinct genetic differentiation between Japanese and Indonesian stocks. The sources for the Japanese and Indonesian common carp are discussed in relation to the European and Chinese common carp.

Study on morphological variation in Indonesian common carp stocks.

Seven common carp stock were collected from West Java, East Java, and West Sumatra to compare some morphometric and meristic characters. The Majalaya and Punten stocks were significantly greater in body depth, intestine length and number of vertebrae than the other stocks. The body width of Majalaya was the highest of all the stocks. These two stocks have a smaller head. The Majalaya, Punten and Rayo showed low coefficients of variation in almost all morphometric and meristic characters, suggesting homogeneous properties of these stocks. It is suggested that the Majalaya and Punten are well established as a strain, and probably have a common ancestor.