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Does an extra set of chromosomes mean bigger prawns?
Dr Melony Sellars, a CSIRO molecular biologist, is hoping to answer this question.
She is investigating the potential benefits of triploid production in Kuruma prawns, a species commonly used in aquaculture.
“Triploid prawns have three sets of chromosomes, rather than the usual two,” Dr Sellars said.
“Triploidy occurs sporadically in nature, and in some aquaculture species has commercial benefits such as faster growth.”
Dr Sellars will investigate two types of triploidy: the first involves retaining both sets of maternal chromosomes; while the second involves replicating one maternal chromosome. In both situations, the remaining chromosome is obtained from the male.
The prawns will be produced by subjecting newly spawned eggs to environmental conditions that inhibits cell division during meiosis.
They will be raised in tanks and their growth performance compared to diploid offspring from the same family.
Genetic techniques will be used to determine whether any observed differences in growth rates between sibling prawns relate to differences in the diversity of their genes.
If successful, the technique could complement industry-backed domestication and selective breeding research tailored to improve the health, quality and production efficiency of Australia’s farmed prawns.
