Evaluation of the Hereditable Characteristics of F1 Generation of Parent Stock Oreochromis niloticus (5-red Thailand and 1- black Ghana breed)

Abstract

This study evaluates the hereditable characteristic of F1 Generation of Oreochromis niloticus from a mixed parent stock population of 5-red improved Thailand local breed Tilapia and 1-black local Ghana breed. Parent stocks were obtained from the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa. Morphometric and meristic features such as head length, standard length, body depth, as well as meristic features, such as fin ray and the scale counts, were used to analyze the heritable genetic characteristic in the F₁ generation. A controlled breeding strategy to track the offspring at different phases of development. The results revealed head length (03.00±0.05 - 05.00±0.01), standard length (03.00±0.05 - 05.00±0.01), body depth (03.00±0.05 - 05.00±0.01) as well as meristic features, such as fin ray (25.00±0.00 - 26.00±0.00, 15.00±0.00 -16.00±0.00, 11.00±0.00 - 16.00±0.00) for Dorsal Fin ray, Hard ray and soft ray respectively. For the scale counts, Scale in Lateral Line recorded between 25 and 34 rays, while Scale below Lateral Line recorded 10 to 12 rays. Strong genetic control and low heritability were observed as a result of 99% of the F₁ generations being red, taking the characteristics of the Improved Thailand breed. These findings have significant implications for selective breeding strategies in tilapia aquaculture that aim to improve production efficiency and sustainability.