Estimation of genetic parameters for upper thermal tolerance and growth-related traits in turbot Scophthalmus maximus using the Bayesian method based on Gibbs sampling

In order to carry out the genetic improvement of turbot upper thermal tolerance, it is necessary to estimate the genetic parameters of UTT (upper thermal tolerance) and growth-related traits. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for BW (body weight) and UTT in a two-generational turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) pedigree derived from four imported turbot stocks (England, France, Denmark and Norway). A total of 42 families including 20 families from G1 generation and 22 families from G2 generation were used to test upper thermal tolerance (40–50 animals per family) in this study and the body weight of individuals were measured. The heritability of BW and UTT and the correlation between these two traits were estimated based on an individual animal model using Bayesian method based on two types of animal models with and without maternal effects. These results showed that the heritabilities for BW and UTT and phenotypic and genetic correlations between the two traits estimated from model without maternal effects were 0.239±0.141, 0.111±0.080, 0.075±0.026 and–0.019±0.011, respectively. The corresponding values from model with maternal effects were 0.203±0.115, 0.055±0.026, 0.047±0.034 and–0.024±0.028, respectively. The maternal effects of BW and UTT were 0.050±0.017 and 0.013±0.004, respectively. The maternal effects had a certain influence on the genetic evaluation of the two traits. The findings of this paper provided the necessary background to determine the best selection strategy to be adopted in the genetic improvement program.