ia Genetic Resources for Aquaculture Proceedings of the Workshop on Tilapia Genetic Resources for Aquaculture 23-24 March 1987 Bangkok, Thailand Edited by R.S.V. in 1988 1@&4@M INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tilapia Genetic Resources *ib for Aquaculture C. 1 Proceedings of the Workshop on Tilapia Genetic Resources for AquacuIture 23-24 March 1987 Bangkok, Thailand ICLARM Conference Proceedings 16 EDITED BY R.S.V. PULLIN Printed in Manila, Philies Published by the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, MC P.O.B ox 1501. Makati, Metro Manila. Philippines. Pullin, R.S.V.. Editor. 1988. Tilapia genetic resources for aquaculture. ICLARM Conference Proceedings 16.108 p. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila. Philippines. ISSN 01 15-4435 ISBN 971-1022-44-3 Cover: Nile tilapia (Oreochromir niloticur) at the Institut des Savanes, Bouakb. Cijte d'Ivoire (photo by R.S.V. Pullin) IUARM ContributionN o. 457. Contents Preface R.S.V. Pullin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session I. Resource Papers on Tilapias in Africa Opening Remarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natural Distribution of Tilapias and Its Consequences for the Possible Protection of Genetic Resources Dr. D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde . . . Ecology and Distribution of Tilapias in Afria that are Important for Aquaculture Dr. R H. Lowe-McConnell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session 11. The Status of Wild and Cultured Tilapia Genetic Resources in Various Countries Africa Cameroun Mr. D. Nguenga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gate d'Ivoire Brackishwater culture Mr. C. Adou . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshwater culture Mr. C. Nugent. Discussion Brackishwater culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Freshwater culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ghana Mr. J.K. Ofori . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madagascar Dr. J. Moreau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mala& Mr. O.V. Msiska Zimbabwe Dr. B. Marshall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Further Discussion on African Tilapia Genetic Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Asia Philippines Dr. R.D. Guerrero ZII and Mr. M.M. Tayamen . . . . . . . . . . . . Thailand Mr. Manob Tangtrongpiros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . Regional Aspects: Singapore and Malaysia Mr. Chen Foo-Yan Other Countries Israel Dr. G. Hulata . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . US A Dr. R.O. Smitherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Further Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Session 111. Research Methods Used in Tilapia Identification and Genetic Research Electrophoresis Dr. R.S.V. Pullin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Research on Tilapia Blood Groups Dr. W. Villwock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multivariate Analysis of Morphometric/Meristic Data Ms. MJ.R. Pante . . . iii Taxonomy and Identification Keys Dr .R .H. Lowe-McConnell ................................ Dr . D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde .......................... Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Evaluation of Culture Performance Dr. G .W . Wohlfarth .................................... . Session IV Gene Banks and Culture Collections Gene Banks: Cryopreservation as a Tool Dr .B J . Harvey ............ Tilapia Broodstock Collections in the Philippines Mr . M.M. Tayarnen ..... Further Discussion ..................................... . Session V General Discussion Leading to the Formulation of Recommendations Documentation and Conservation of Tilapia Genetic Resources Natural Populations .................................... Farmstocks ........................................ ......... Evaluation of Tilapia Genetic Resources for Use in Aquaculture Culture Collections and Gene Banks .......................... International Research Cooperation and Funding .................. Recommendations ...................................... References ............................................... List of Participants .......................................... Appendices Appendix L Genetic Improvement of Tilapias: Problems and Prospects. R.S.V. Pullin and J.B. Capili. I n R.S.V. Pullin. T. Bhukasawan. K . Tonguthai and J.L. Maclean (4s.) The Second International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture. ICLARM . Conference Proceedings 15 Department of Fisheries. Bangkok. Thailand. and International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management ........... . Appendix I1 Genetic Considerations in Acquisition and Maintenance of . . ........... Reference Populations of Tilapia R.O. Smitherman and D Tave Appendix IIL Identification of Tilapia Populations Used for Fish Culture. A field guide ............................ compiled by R.H. Lowe-McConnell Preface The tilapias are African fishes that are used in warmwater aquaculture throughout the world. Some species, such as the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloricus), are highly versatile, herbivorous - microphagous feeders, well-suited to low technology fanning systems in third-world countries. Tilapia culture has made great advances in the last ten years in some Asian countries, including the Philippines, Thailand and China, but remains poorly developed in Africa and other regions. This workshop was convened to focus on tilapia genetic resources and their future use in aquaculture. It arose from a growing realization by ICLARM and its collaborators that tilapia culture in Asian and other nonAfrican countries is presently based on a very narrow genetic base from a few small founder populations. By contrast, African countries, many of which urgently need assistance to develop their own aquaculture sectors, hold the global wealth of tilapia genetic resources. These resources have yet to be tapped to improve cultured tilapia breeds. Moreover, many wild tilapia populations in Africa are under threat of irreversible change or loss from factors such as fish and water transfers and habitat disturbance. To discuss tilapia genetic resources for aquaculture, therefore, requires an approach combining ecology, genetics, culture technology and the politics and economics of conservation and development. Most of these topics were discussed in sessions of the Second International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture (ISTA II), 16-20 March 1987 (Pullin et al., in press) which was also held in Bangkok just before this workshop. The opportunity was taken to invite a small group of ISTA I1 participants (tilapia biologists, geneticists and culturists from Africa, Asia and other countries) to discuss the documentation, evaluation and utilization of tilapia genetic resources. In order to promote as much free discussion as possible, participants were asked to speak rather than to present lengthy papers. The contributions and discussions included in this summary report have been transcribed from two days of tape-recordings. The workshop was limited to a small gathering of paflcipants from selected countries and institutions collaborating with ICLARM in genetics research. Had it been expanded to include representatives from all countries and research institutions interested in tilapia culture and tilapia genetics, it would have become a large conference, not a small workshop conducive to discussions. The workshop format worked well. The discussions on documentation, conservation, evaluation and use of tilapia genetic resources were lively and productive and resulted in clear recommendations for future action. Where will this lead? Hopefully to a new international program of action by those present and their colleagues. The workshop was made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Bundesministerium fiir Wirtschaftliche Zusarnmenarbeit (BMZ) (The Ministry of Technical Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Germany) as part of a BMZ-funded program of Israeli-German-ICLARMR esearch Cooperation to Benefit Technical Cooperation with Third-World Countries. ICLARM and all the workshop participants greatly appreciate this generous and farsighted support. The participants from African nations were sponsored in part by the Deutsche Gesellschaftf dr Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ), GmbH, through its project support to ICLARM. I believe that the workshop will probably be seen as a milestone along the path to genetic conservation and improvement of the world's most widely cultured warmwater fishes. I hope the readers will agree. R.S.V. PULLIN July 1988 The Current Status of Tilapia Genetic Resources for Aquaculture Session I. Resource Papers on Tilapias in Africa Chairperson: Dr. R.H. Lowe-McConnell Opening Remarks Dr. Lowe-McConnell welcomed everyone and introduced Dr. Pullin, the organizer of the workshop. Dr. Pullin then introduced the workshop participants and asked Dr. Lowe-McConnell to express the good wishes of all present to Dr. E. Trewavas (British Museum), who was unable to attend but had sent material for discussion. Dr. Villwock then explained the aims and objectives of the meeting, beginning by acknowledging sponsorship of the meeting by the Bundesministerium fiir Wirtschaftliche Zusarnmenarbeit (BMZ) of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the interest of BMZ and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), GmbH in tilapia genetics research for third-world aquaculture development. He further stated that the recommendations made by the workshop would provide a framework for future research in this important field. Additional introductory remarks were given by Dr. Pullin who summarized the paper by Pullin and Capili (in press; Appendix I) as being a statement of ICLARM's views on the problems and prospects for genetic improvement of cultured tilapias, with particular reference to the tilapia genetic resources of Africa and Asia. The paper calls for future research on 1) documentation and 2) evaluation of tilapia genetic resources, followed by 3) the use of promising material in selective breeding schemes. This stepwise approach was stressed by Dr. Pullin. It was agreed that the meeting follow the same stepwise approach for its agenda of discussions. Dr. Pullin referred to the reviews by Balarin and Hatton (1979), Lowe-McConnell(1982), Philippart and Ruwet (1982) and Trewavas (1982, 1983) and the bibliographies by Thys van den Audenaerde (1968) and Schoenen (1982,1984,1985) as the best sources of collected information on tilapias in Africa. Natural Distribution of Tilapias and Its Consequences for the Possible Protection of Genetic Resources Dr. D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde EarlyjZh culture attempts in Africa and attitudes to tilapia transfers About forty years ago, tilapia culture using Oreochromis rnacrochir and Tilapia rendalli was started in what was then Upper Katanga, Belgian Congo (now Shaba). These fish reached market size after 8-10 months in pond culture and bred at all temperatures above 230C. From 18- 23OC they grew well but did not reproduce. During the breeding season (about 4 months per year) their growth suffered because of excessive reproduction. Lower temperatures during the cold, dry season also caused a growth check. Tilapia were then moved from there to what is now central Zdire, especially to the fishponds at Yangambi. The water temperature here is 25-260C year-round and there was excessive reproduction by fish as small as 5-6 cm in length. This gave rise to a feeling at that time that a tilapia species should not be transferred for culture outside its natural range. This aroused interest in studying the natural distribution of tilapias throughout Africa. There were some early transfers of tilapia. For example, there is a record of tilapia in southern Morocco in the 1920s. This could be assumed to be a natural occurrence, but the French Foreign Legion transported fish from one well to another in the 1920s and 1930s so that the distribution patterns for tilapias and Barbus spp. throughout the Sahara are confusing. From 1945 onwards, there were many transfers and now the whole situation of tilapia distribution in Africa is confusing and disappointing from the point of view of conservation of natural genetic resources. There are, however, still some ecological barriers to the natural spread of some species. For example T. sparrmanii can live on the high plateaux and never descends to colonize rainforest waters, despite the absence of any physical barriers such as waterfalls. The current situation; examples of different species groups The substrate spawners Tilapia zillii presents a relict type of distribution (Fig. 1). It was formerly much more widespread than now. The 'drying-up' of much of Africa has produced such relict patterns, especially in the highland areas. Its distribution extends into the rainforest and around Kisangani it meets the distribution area of T. rendalli. T. rendalli has been spread widely through Africa and beyond under the misnomer 'T.m elanopleura'. Another substrate spawner is T. congica, an equatorial rainforest species that prefers acidic waters (Fig. 2). T. rendalli and T. congica distributions have almost no overlap, even though the species are very closely related. They are Fig. 1. Distribution of Tilnpia zillii. Black dots indicate sample\ checked personally by the author;w hite dots indicate published records regarded as reliable. generally considered to be herbivorous but can take many food items. T.r endalli is the most important of these species for aquaculture. T. rendalli is present in Lake Tanganyika but remains in the inshore zone and has not colonized the open waters of the lake. Its distribution is given in Fig. 3. Fig. 2. Distribution of Tilapia congica. Black dots indicate samples checked personally by the author; white dots indicate published records regarded as reliable. 20° E 30°E Fig. 3. Distribution of Tilapia ren. dalli. Black dots indicate samples checked personally by the author; white dots indicate published records regarded as reliable. T.g uineensis (Fig. 4) is a brackishwater substrate spawner that can even breed in seawater. It breeds in the Yacht Club at Dakar, SCnCgal. In the northernmost west African river, SMgal, T. guineensis persists in the estuaries but is replaced by T. zillii in fully freshwater. There are no T. guineensis beyond 150-200k m up river in the rainy season and none beyond 20-30k m from the coast in the dry season. There is little or no current in the dry season; the species are kept apart by competition. Further south in the Gambia and the Casamanse Rivers, T. zillii is absent. Here T. guineensis penetrates far inland up to the source of these rivers and so colonizes purely freshwater. [T. guineensis and S. melanotheron are found together in brackishwater in lagoons and in the Niger Delta in Nigeria, without T. zillii (M.M.J. Vincke, pers. comm. to Editor)]. Fig. 4. Distribution of Tilapicr guineensis. Black dots indicate samples checked per- sonally by the author; white dots indicate published records regarded as reliable. In Cameroun, there is the Ntem River (the border between southwest Cameroun and Gabon), where T. guineensis also extends far inland to the sources of the river. Here this normally brackishwater species inhabits fast flowing rapids and rainforest waters in fully freshwater. The mouth brooders I Oreochromis macrochir inhabits the high plateaux of the savannah, south of the rainforest. It does not extend naturally further down into the Kariba system and southern Africa. In the north, there is a break in its distribution at the Upemba falls where it is replaced by 0 .u pembae and the two species remain totally allopatric there. The extreme northeast of its distribution is the Luapula-Mweru system (two swampy lakes linked by the Luapula river): almost everything that