Meta-analysis of genetic parameters of production traits in cultured shrimp species

Genetic parameters of growth, reproductive efficiency and survival are important for designing successful genetic improvement programmes. In this study, a database was assembled and a meta-analysis was conducted using 87 peer-reviewed published studies on genetic parameters of 63 economically important traits reported across nine major farmed shrimp species. A total of 641 estimates of heritability, 978 estimates of genetic correlations and 658 estimates of phenotypic correlations were included in this study. Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) was the most widely reported species followed by giant freshwater prawn (Marcobrachium rosenbergii) and black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon). Published studies demonstrate large variability across heritability and correlation estimates. Consensus estimates were based on both unweighted and weighted averages. The traits were broadly classed into weight, morphology, growth rate, body composition, feeding efficiency, reproductive efficiency and survival. This meta-analysis revealed moderate-to-high heritability estimates for weight (0.30 +/- 0.002), morphological (0.26 +/- 0.003), growth rate (0.27 +/- 0.01) and feeding efficiency (0.58 +/- 0.07) traits, but low for body composition (0.06 +/- 0.009), reproductive efficiency (0.11 +/- 0.006) and survival traits (0.15 +/- 0.003). Strong responses to selection were found among the shrimp species studied. We have developed a ShinyApp () for visualization of the individual heritability estimates. In addition to the meta-analysis of genetic parameters, we have calculated the correlated responses among economically important traits and highlighted response to selection, realized heritability, social interaction and common environmental effects in shrimp breeding programmes in terms of industry implications. Consensus estimates suggest that there is sufficient additive genetic variation to carry out effective genetic improvement programmes in these species.