Induction of triploidy in Melicertus kerathurus (Forskal, 1775) with temperature shock

Abstract

Triploidy in fertilized eggs of Melicertus kerathurus was induced by cold (8, 10, 12 degrees C) and heat (34, 36, 38 degrees C) shock for different duration times (2, 4 and 8 min) after 10 min of post spawning. The best individual treatment produced 64.5% triploid nauplii in cold shock application at a temperature of 10 degrees C for a duration of 8 min. Temperature did not have significant effect (P > 0.05) on triploid rate but duration time had a significant effect (P < 0.05) for individual cold or heat shock. This study demonstrates that because of a wide variety of effective parameters, it is essential to optimize shock conditions for each species strain at each location.