Carlos Antonio Lopes de Oliveira

This study aimed to develop a bioeconomic simulator consisting of interconnected spreadsheets, such that after the entry of data (inputs), it can perform calculations and present economic, financial, and productive indicator results. To test the functionality of the developed tool, two scenarios were established. In Scenario 1, the reproduction occurred in haps, comprising of egg collection in the buccal cavity of the matrix and the subsequent incubation of the eggs being fertilized in the laboratory. In Scenario 2, a nursery structure was considered for reproduction with post larvae cloud collection. The simulator proved to be functional and the results were significant. In the Statement of Economic Results, the net incomes gained was US$1,958,281 and US$620,592 for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. In the context of productive indicators, Scenario 1 presented the best results with 114 million/cycle, with a revenue/cycle of US$1,359,510 and labor cost/thousands of US$1,434. Among the financial indicators contained in the simulator, Scenarios 1 and 2 presented a benefit/cost ratio of 1.11 and 1.01 and profitability indices were 1.48 and 1.04 respectively. The internal rate of return was 17.82% and 8.95% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. The net present value was US$8,165,554 and US$600,337 for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively, with a payback period of 6 and 10 years, respectively. Both the scenarios provide suggestions for producers looking for a profitable business. The simulator can be used as an auxiliary tool in the study of tilapia reproductive systems to indicate the potential forms of production.

The increasing expansion and the rising demand for food require a greater intensification in the production of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and genetic improvement programs are essential to achieve this goal. In managing these programs, new genetic material is introduced after several generations of selections to reduce inbreeding and enhance genetic diversity. In this sense, analyzing the zootechnical parameters of these introductions, with an emphasis on the use of nutritional additives, is of great importance for understanding their impact on breeding programs. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical parameters and hepatosomatic index of two genetic strains of Nile tilapia from the genetic improvement program fed with β-Glucan + Mannan oligosaccharide (βG+MOS). This study utilized a 2 × 2 factorial design containing two genetic groups and two treatments with βG+MOS (Control, 0.2%). The groups were formed from the 12th generation of the Tilamax genetic improvement program (TILAMAX) and by crossing Tilamax with an introduced test strain (CBTILAMAX). In total, 96 tilapias (31.1 ± 5.73 g) were distributed into 16 aquariums, with 6 fish per aquarium, 24 per group, and four repetitions. The experimental period lasted for 41 days, and the water parameters were measured daily and maintained under ideal conditions. The condition factor and hepatosomatic index were analyzed. Final weight, total length, and standard length were measured, and other zootechnical parameters were calculated based on these data. The condition factor showed that the fish in both groups exhibited adequate health and growth during the experiment, with no differences in strain or use of additives. Similarly, the hepatosomatic index did not differ between the groups, indicating that liver size was proportional to fish body size. Similarly, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed for the other zootechnical parameters evaluated (initial and final total and standard lengths, final weight, total weight gain, condition factor using total and standard lengths, and specific growth rate). Based on these results, it is concluded that there were no differences between TILAMAX and CBTILAMAX related to performance and health under the effect of feeding with βG+MOS. This result is positive regarding the introduction of the test strain into the Tilamax genetic improvement program and establishes a starting point for further research that may provide greater clarity on its future effects.

This study described the growth, morphometric, biomechanical, and chemical properties of the femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus of European and Japanese quail. Analyses were performed at 13 and 15 days of incubation, at hatch, and at 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days post-hatch (n=6/subspecies/period). Bone specimens were analyzed by cone-beam computed tomography, biomechanical assays, chemical analyses, and histomorphometry. Variables were fitted by the Gompertz function and its derivative or assessed using the analysis of variance. Analysis of the derivative of Gompertz curves showed that the growth behavior of the tarsometatarsal bone was similar between quail subspecies, and the femur and tibiotarsus of European quail increased first in width and then in length, whereas the opposite occurred in Japanese quail. There was an interaction between quail subspecies and days of growth on femoral, tarsometatarsal, and tibiotarsal bone densities. Femoral and tibiotarsal cross-sectional areas were influenced by the interaction of quail subspecies and day of growth. Interaction effects were significant for breaking strength and phosphorus percentage. European and Japanese quail have different femoral and tibiotarsal growth patterns, especially in the first few days after hatching, whereas tarsometatarsal growth is similar between subspecies.

Growth curves have been described in the quail but with no attention to the muscle composing of the breast. The description of the characteristics of growth curves to body weight and to breast muscle was the aim of this study. Morphological development of Musculus supracoracoideus and Musculus pectoralis in European and Japanese quail was assessed from the final incubation of to 35 days. Gompertz models were adjusted with maximum growth rates to body weight, breast weight, and Musculus pectoralis and supracoracoideus weight at 17.6; 22.2; 23.5, and 21.4 days. The European quail had a higher body and breast weight at maturity. Musculus supracoracoideus developed faster in both subspecies but with larger Musculus pectoralis. Both musculus had a greater number of fibers type IIA and largest fibers IIB, with quadratically increasing in fiber diameter with age in both subspecies and muscles. At 35 days, results of meat quality indicated similarity between genders and subspecies, with darker and redness breast meat in Japanese quail. In conclusion, breast weight gain was a result of type IIA and IIB fiber hypertrophy in both muscles and, despite the difference in size and aptitude, Japanese and European quail showed similar body and muscle growth patterns.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body yield and quality of fresh and post-freezing filet of male and female fish of inbred and non-inbred AquaAmérica genetic group and the hybrid between the AquaAmérica and Tilamax varieties. Forty fish (20 males and 20 females) of each genetic group were housed in four 48-m³ hapa net cages, getting 120 fish per cage. The fish were housed at 51 days of age and farmed for 269 days. Pre-slaughter weight was higher (P<0.05) in the AquaAmérica × Tilamax males (0.805±0.204 kg) than in the inbred AquaAmérica male (0.643±0.115 kg). Filet yield percentage was higher (P<0.05) in the AquaAmérica × Tilamax males (32.14±4.72%) than in the inbred AquaAmérica (28.15±2.67%) and non-inbred AquaAmérica (29.06±2.80%) males. Head and viscera yield percentages, pH, color values (L*, a* and b*), shear force, drip loss and cooking loss did not differ significantly between the genetic groups and sexes. Alterations in meat quality were observed after freezing. In conclusion, inbreeding in the AquaAmérica variety resulted in reduced slaughter weight for males; AquaAmérica × Tilamax males have a higher filet yield; and filet quality is not influenced by crossing, inbreeding, or sex, but is changed after freezing.

Selection can affect growth, changing performance and asymptotic values. However, there is little information about the growth of families in fish breeding programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and growth of families of Nile tilapia AquaAmérica. Twenty AquaAmérica families cultivated in a net cage (13.5 m3) for 181 days were evaluated. The nonlinear Gompertz regression model was fitted to the data by the weighted least squares method, taking the inverse of the variance of weight in different families and at different ages as the weighting variable. The model was adjusted to describe the growth in weight and morphometric characteristics. Two families showed highest (P<0.05) weights at both 133 days (family AA10: 743.2 g; family AA16: 741.2 g) and 181 days (family AA10: 1,422.1 g; family AA16: 1,393.4 g) of the experiment. In both experimental periods, the males showed a heavier weight, with the greatest contrast between the sexes occurring at 181 days. The analysis of the three most contrasting families (AA1, AA9 and AA14) showed that the asymptotic value for weight was higher (P<0.05) in family AA9 (3,926.3 g) than in family AA14 (3,251.6 g), but specific growth rate and age at the inflection point did not differ significantly between families. In conclusion, two of the 20 families were superior; males exhibited a greater growth, mainly in the period of 181 days; and the growth curve differed between the families, especially for asymptotic weight.

Specimens of cultured zebrafish acquired from different fish farms in Brazil may show genetic variability and alteration in allele frequency due to genetic drift and selective pressure in a captive environment, resulting in the differentiation of productive and reproductive characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic variability and reproductive characteristics of 180 zebrafish specimens from six Brazilian fish farms. A deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in all evaluated stocks. Differentiation among stocks was observed in the amount of genetic variability with respect to observed heterozygosity and the inbreeding coefficient (FIS). Genetic distance between stocks was determined through the Fst index, and the formation of four distinct groups was observed by plotting the dendrogram based on Nei’s genetic distance. Differences were observed among reproductive parameters, such as the average number of eggs per female and hatchability. This second parameter proved to be related to the level of inbreeding of the population, whereas this effect was not observed for spawning frequency. We conclude that zebrafish stocks from the 6 different Brazilian fish farms present significant genetic and phenotypic variability. The genetic structure affects fecundity and should be considered when carrying out work where reproductive rates are evaluated.

Digital image analysis is a practical, non‐invasive, and relatively low‐cost tool that may assist in the evaluation of body traits in Nile tilapia, being particularly useful for assessing difficult‐to‐measure variables, such as body areas. In this study, we aimed to estimate variance components and genetic parameters for body areas of Nile tilapia obtained by digital images. The data set comprised body weight (BW) records of 1,917 pond‐reared fish at 366 days of age. Of this total, 656 animals were photographed and subjected to image analysis of trunk area (TA), head area (HA), caudal fin area (CFA) and fillet area (FA). Heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated through multiple‐trait models based on Bayesian inference. Heritability estimates for BW, TA, HA, CFA and FA were 0.25, 0.23, 0.26, 0.21 and 0.25, respectively. Genetic correlations between the traits were high and positive, ranging from 0.70 to 0.98. We highlight the genetic correlation between BW and TA (r_G = 0.98) and FA (r_G = 0.97). In view of the observed results, it can be concluded that trunk and fillet areas obtained by digital image analysis can lead to indirect genetic gains in weight and other body areas. In addition, the areas studied have potential as a selection criterion and may assist in studies on changes in the body shape in Nile tilapia.

Studies on genetic composition in fish populations contribute to conservationist practices and inbreeding control in fish stocks. To this end, molecular tools such as microsatellite markers (SSRs) are often used, but they are expensive and time-consuming to develop. A species-specific heterologous marker emerges as an alternative, which can be used in taxonomically related species in a fast way. Our goal was to test SSRs markers of Brachyplatystoma rousseauxi and Pseudoplatystoma punctifer in P. reticulatum in an unprecedented way. For this purpose, DNA was extracted from fragments of the caudal fin of 222 P. reticulatum adults, using a NaCl-based method. Then, DNA samples were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using six markers, four from B. rousseauxi (BR38, 47, 51, and 61) and two from P. punctifer (PPU13 and PPU15). Two primers showed non-specific amplification and were disregarded (BR38 and PPU13). In the remaining four primers, the number of alleles per locus varied between two (BR47) to sixteen (BR51), and the average size of alleles was between 142 and 400 bp. Mean effective number of alleles per locus ranged from 10,650 (BR51) to 1,784 (BR47), with null or low-frequency alleles in all studied loci. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.299 (BR47) to 0.640 (BR51) and was always lower than the expected heterozygosity. Hardy-Weinberg balance was significant (p < 0.05) in all loci, and inbreeding coefficient (FIS) was always positive. Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) confirmed the efficiency of the markers since they had moderate (BR47) to high levels of information (BR51, BR61, and PPU15). Transferability test showed that the heterologous microsatellite molecular markers, originally for B. rousseauxi and P. punctifer, were efficient in P. reticulatum, producing three primers with high information content. Therefore, these markers can be safely used in future population studies of this species.