Characterization and Sibship Estimation of Body Color Variants in Japanese Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Abstract

Color variations were identified in a hatchery population of Japanese flounder: body color was yellowish compared to normal individuals. This study characterized red, green, blue, and luminance body color components in normal and yellowish individuals. Further studies estimated microsatellite DNA marker-based relationships using sibship reconstruction approaches. Color components of red and green in yellowish individuals were significantly higher than that of normal individuals. However, the blue component of yellowish individuals was significantly lower than that of normal individuals. Four microsatellite loci were used for sibship reconstruction. Results indicated that most yellowish individuals were generated predominantly by two half-sibs. Sibship reconstruction suggested that the yellowish individuals identified in a hatchery population of Japanese flounder may have arisen via genetic effects. Assessing the parentage of abnormal fish used in seed production, and the removal of parents generating abnormal fish, would represent a new strategy for retrospective selective breeding.