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CULTURE OF DIPLOID AND TRIPLOID OF (HETEROBRANCHUS BIDORSALIS AND CLARIAS GARIEPINUS) FED WITH DAPHNIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Aquaculture plays a significant role in meeting the ever-increasing global demand for fish and contributes to food security worldwide. Among the various fish species cultivated, Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus are commercially important due to their economic value and ability to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions (Agbede et al., 2016; Lombe et al., 2019). However, there are ongoing challenges in optimizing culture techniques and improving the quality of these fish species.

One promising avenue for improving aquaculture production is the manipulation of ploidy levels in fish populations. Ploidy refers to the number of sets of chromosomes in an organism, with diploidy representing the typical two sets found in most animals. Triploidy, on the other hand, refers to the presence of an additional set of chromosomes, resulting in a three-fold chromosome number. Manipulating ploidy levels has been shown to have profound effects on the growth performance, reproductive characteristics, and physiological attributes of fish (Benfey, 1999).

In recent years, the culture of triploid fish has gained attention in aquaculture due to its potential advantages. Triploids typically exhibit reduced growth rates compared to their diploid counterparts, which can be attributed to the higher metabolic energy expenditure associated with triploidy (Liu et al., 2015). However, triploidy can also result in improved feed conversion efficiency, leading to more efficient utilization of the feed resources (Fauconneau et al., 2014). These characteristics make triploid fish an interesting subject for research and potential commercial application.

The choice of feed is a crucial factor in fish culture systems, as it directly affects growth, health, and overall performance. Traditional feeds often consist of commercial pelletized diets, which may not fully meet the nutritional requirements of the fish species. Thus, exploring alternative feed sources that offer a balanced and natural diet can contribute to improved growth performance and overall health of cultured fish (Blancheton et al., 2013).

Daphnia, a genus of small crustaceans, is widely available in freshwater ecosystems and has been recognized as a valuable live feed for fish due to its nutritional composition and high digestibility (García-Ortega et al., 2021). Daphnia is known to contain essential nutrients, such as proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, making it a potentially beneficial feed source for cultured fish (Ferrari et al., 2016). However, the utilization of Daphnia as a feed source for ploidy-manipulated fish

To address these research gaps, the present study investigates the culture of diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus, focusing on their growth performance, feed utilization, and physiological responses when fed with Daphnia. The choice of these two fish species is based on their commercial importance and adaptability to various environmental conditions, making them suitable candidates for aquaculture production.

Understanding the effects of ploidy manipulation on the culture of these fish species is crucial for optimizing production strategies. Previous studies have demonstrated that triploids generally exhibit slower growth rates compared to diploids due to their increased metabolic energy expenditure (Liu et al., 2015). However, triploids may compensate for this reduced growth by displaying improved feed conversion ratios, indicating a potential advantage in feed utilization efficiency (Fauconneau et al., 2014).

Furthermore, the utilization of Daphnia as a feed source in this study is motivated by its nutritional composition and high digestibility. Daphnia is known to contain essential nutrients, including proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, which are vital for the growth and development of fish (Ferrari et al., 2016). By incorporating Daphnia into the feeding regimen, this study aims to provide a nutritionally rich and balanced diet to enhance the growth performance and overall health of both diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus.

In addition to growth and feed utilization parameters, this study also considers the physiological responses of diploid and triploid fish. Ploidy manipulation has been reported to induce changes in metabolic and hormonal profiles, reflecting potential physiological adaptations to the polyploid state (Benfey, 1999). By evaluating hematological parameters and other physiological indicators, this study aims to assess the effects of ploidy manipulation and Daphnia feeding on the overall health and well-being of the cultured fish.

Understanding the interactions between ploidy levels, feed composition, and fish physiology is essential for developing sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights into the culture of H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus, contributing to the optimization of ploidy manipulation techniques and the development of effective feeding strategies. Moreover, the results may have broader implications for the aquaculture industry, where the use of alternative feed sources and the manipulation of ploidy levels can play a vital role in achieving increased productivity and sustainability.

In conclusion, investigating the culture of diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus fed with Daphnia offers a comprehensive understanding of the effects of ploidy manipulation and diet composition on growth performance, feed utilization, and physiological responses. The results of this study can contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable aquaculture practices, aiming to enhance fish production and meet the growing demand for high-quality seafood.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The cultivation of Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus in aquaculture systems faces several challenges related to growth performance, feed utilization, and overall fish health. Ploidy manipulation, specifically the production of triploid individuals, is a promising approach for improving aquaculture production. However, the effects of ploidy manipulation on the culture of these fish species remain insufficiently understood.

Furthermore, the choice of feed plays a critical role in fish culture systems, and the utilization of alternative feed sources can contribute to improved growth and overall fish health. Daphnia, a nutritionally rich and digestible live feed, shows promise as a potential alternative feed source. However, the utilization of Daphnia in the culture of ploidy-manipulated H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus has not been thoroughly explored.

Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the culture of diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus fed with Daphnia, focusing on growth performance, feed utilization, and physiological responses. By addressing these knowledge gaps, this research aims to provide insights into optimizing ploidy manipulation techniques, developing effective feeding strategies, and ultimately enhancing the sustainable production of these economically important fish species in aquaculture systems.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

Main Objective: To investigate the culture of diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus fed with Daphnia, focusing on growth performance, feed utilization, and physiological responses.

Specific Objectives:

1.    To assess the effects of ploidy manipulation (diploid vs. triploid) on the growth performance of H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus.

2.    To evaluate the impact of Daphnia feeding on the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus.

3.    To analyze the physiological responses, including hematological parameters and metabolic profiles, of diploid and triploid H. bidorsalis and C. gariepinus fed with Daphnia.

RESEARCH QUESTION

1.    How does ploidy manipulation (diploid vs. triploid) affect the growth performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus?

2.    What is the impact of Daphnia feeding on the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus?

3.    How do diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus, fed with Daphnia, differ in terms of their physiological responses, including hematological parameters and metabolic profiles?

RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Research Question 1: How does ploidy manipulation (diploid vs. triploid) affect the growth performance of Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus?

Research Hypothesis: Triploid individuals of Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus will exhibit reduced growth performance compared to diploid individuals.

Null Hypothesis: There will be no significant difference in the growth performance between diploid and triploid individuals of Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus.

Research Question 2: What is the impact of Daphnia feeding on the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus?

Research Hypothesis: Diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus fed with Daphnia will show improved growth performance and higher feed utilization efficiency compared to those without Daphnia feeding.

Null Hypothesis: There will be no significant difference in the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency between diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus with and without Daphnia feeding.

Research Question 3: How do diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus, fed with Daphnia, differ in terms of their physiological responses, including hematological parameters and metabolic profiles?

Research Hypothesis: Diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus, fed with Daphnia, will exhibit differences in their physiological responses, including hematological parameters and metabolic profiles.

Null Hypothesis: There will be no significant difference in the physiological responses, including hematological parameters and metabolic profiles, between diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus fed with Daphnia.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on the culture of diploid and triploid Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus, specifically investigating their growth performance, feed utilization, and physiological responses when fed with Daphnia. The study does not encompass other species or alternative feeding strategies beyond Daphnia.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Ploidy Manipulation: The deliberate alteration of the chromosome number in an organism, typically through inducing triploidy (three sets of chromosomes) in normally diploid species, such as Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus, to study the effects on growth, reproduction, and physiological characteristics.

Growth Performance: Refers to the measurement of the physical growth and development of fish, typically assessed through parameters such as weight gain, length or size increment, and specific growth rate, which provide insights into the overall growth efficiency and productivity of the cultured fish.

Feed Utilization: Refers to the efficiency with which fish convert the consumed feed into biomass or growth. It includes parameters such as feed conversion ratio (FCR), which measures the amount of feed required to produce a unit of body weight gain, and feed efficiency, which reflects the utilization of nutrients from the diet for growth and metabolic processes.

Physiological Responses: Refers to the biological and biochemical changes that occur within the fish in response to various stimuli or conditions. In this study, physiological responses include hematological parameters (e.g., red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentration) and metabolic profiles (e.g., metabolic rates, hormone levels), which provide insights into the health, adaptation, and overall physiological status of the fish.

Daphnia: A genus of small, freshwater crustaceans that serve as a live feed source in aquaculture. Daphnia are rich in essential nutrients, including proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, making them a potentially valuable dietary component for enhancing the growth and nutritional status of cultured fish.

Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias gariepinus: Fish species belonging to the family Clariidae, commonly known as African catfish. Heterobranchus bidorsalis (also known as African butter catfish) and Clarias gariepinus (also known as African sharptooth catfish) are commercially important freshwater fish species with high adaptability and economic significance in aquaculture.

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