Scientists found resistance to Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) which was mainly due to differences in genes between tilapia families. The finding could help to protect stocks of tilapia, which is an important food source in Africa, Asia and South America and worth nearly $10 billion to the global economy.
Researchers from University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute and WorldFish analyzed the genes of 1,821 Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), which were tagged and placed in a pond that had an outbreak of TiLV. The fish used in this experiment were members of 124 families, and the team discovered that there was a large variation in family survival. Some family groups had no deaths, whereas others found to have a 100% mortality rate.
Statistical models showed that resistance to the virus was very heritable, and this means that selective breeding to produce more resistant tilapia strains is likely to be effective. The variation in TiLV resistance were found to be independent of genetic variation in growth, meaning that any future breeding programs for GIFT that produce fish resistant to TiLV will not adversely affect the growth of the fish, and will benefit farmers’ yields.
Since its detection in 2014, TiLV has ravaged tilapia populations in 16 countries across three continents. Clinical signs of the virus observed in tilapia include behavioral changes, discoloration, skin hemorrhages, loss of scales, eyeball protrusion and abdominal swelling. There are currently no treatments or vaccines for TiLV. Experts believe that selective breeding of fish with the resistance genes may be one way of limiting the damage of this disease, with up to 90% of fish mortality once infected.
The GIFT strain was been selectively bred to be fast growing and adaptable to a wide range of environments. The strain is produced in at least 14 countries, helping to reduce poverty and hunger. Tilapia is an affordable food source for many people, particularly in developing countries. It is the fourth most consumed fish in the United States.
This research project was funded with UK aid from the UK government and was undertaken in the framework of the CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems. The research findings have can be found here.
