The Benefits Of Hybridization

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Scientific curiosity has been a very strong reason behind hybridization (Purdom, 1993). However the need to take full control of production outcomes as well as to increase productivity seems to be a greater force behind the initiation and use of hybridization. Hybridization of Tilapia for monosex production has been reported as far back as 54 years ago (Whitehead, 1960). The ease of interbreeding between various Tilapia strains and stocks naturally has been a source of concern to aquaculturists and conservationists alike (Pullin, 1993, Steffens and Hilge 1999, Allendorf et al., 2001, Perry et al., 2002, El-Sayed, 2006). However, natural selection as a process limits the extent of hybridization between closely related species but the major concern is the further hybridization and back crossing of F1 hybrids from the successful hybridizations in nature hence introgression with associated deleterious effects (Penman, 2005) which includes loss of skin hue, reduction in viability and production of fertile offspring (Bartley et al., 2000) that can still reproduce more. Earlier report by Kocher (1997) revealed heterozygosities of less than 10% in farmed tilapia strains as against the wild strains. Therefore, intensive hatchery management becomes necessary to avoid escapes and hybridization of F1 offspring as well as back crossing with female parents (Chevassus-au-Louis 2002).

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