Abstract:

To clarify correlation among quantitative traits and compositions influencing production, five quantitative traits including three morphological traits (Shell length, shell height, and shell width) and two weight traits (Body weight and adductor weight) of noble scallop Chlamys nobilis Reeve were measured and analyzed from 203 randomly chosen individuals at one-year-old by correlation analysis, path analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that there were significant correlations (P < 0.001) among the five measured traits. And different morphological traits made different directly predominant effects on two weight traits. Shell height gave predominant effects on body weight, whose directly predominant effect was up to 20.31%, and whose indirectly predominant effect via shell length was up to 25.27%. Shell length gave predominant effects on adductor weight, whose directly predominant effect was up to 22.48%, and whose indirectly predominant effect via shell width was up to 16.10%. Regression equations between weight traits and morphological traits were also established. The present results provide a theoretical basis for selective breeding in noble scallop, that is, shell height should be firstly selected and shell length should be simultaneously selected in order to improve body weight via morphological traits, whereas shell length should be firstly selected and shell width should be simultaneously selected in order to improve adductor weight via morphological traits.