A REVIEW: CHARACTERISATION OF MOZAMBIQUE TILAPIA (OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS) IN SOUTH AFRICA AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY.

Thendo S. Tshilate12*, Clint Rhode2, Mary-Jane Thaela-Chimuka1, Ntanganedzeni O. Mapholi3, Catherine Smith4, Cuthbert Banga1.

1. Agricultural Research Council, Animal Production Institutes, Irene.
2. University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.
3. University of South Africa, Johannesburg.
4. Rhodes University, Grahams town,
*tshilates@gmail.com

The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is a widespread indigenous fish species in South Africa. It is characterized as one of aquatic chicken genus and the improved strains entail a significant potential to supply high protein value to consumers at an affordable cost (Yosef, 2009). Introduction of exotic fish to South Africa, such as Nile tilapia has caused ecological disruption through habitat loss and extinction of endemic species including Mozambique tilapia. Therefore, genetic diversity of Mozambique tilapia populations worth to be conserved due to their unique qualities such as cold and salinity tolerance that might be valuable in commercial production. This led to consideration of environmental protection of local biodiversity by promoting Mozambique tilapia as a species that should be suited to small-scale aquaculture in South Africa.

To monitor the effect of the introduction of invasive tilapias, it is important to quantify genetic diversity of the native biota exotic tilapia. Genetic characterisation is the first step when making decision of gene pool conservation. The traditional method for characterisation was based on phenotypic traits using pedigree information. However, recent genomic approaches, such as genetic markers are important tools for measuring genetic diversity, extent of introgression, and estimating other genetic parameters. They also allow pedigree tracing and reconstruction, and the selection of animals with desired marker combinations. More accurate selection for genetic improvement of Mozambique tilapia can be exploited through these genomics applications (Jolly et al., 2010).

Currently, genetic characterisation of South African Mozambique tilapia has not been fully exploited. The recent advancement of high-density single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) assays have potential to reveal genetic variation within and between species. Therefore, the use of SNP markers to characterise Mozambique tilapia is recommended.