• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 2020

In this study, the embryonic development and hatchability of eggs fertilized by the reciprocal hybrids of kelp grouper (Epinephelus bruneus) and red-spotted grouper (E. akaara) were evaluated with the goal of establishing a novel hybrid with enhanced growth and viability during the farming period in the temperate waters of Korea. The fertilization rates were lower for hybrids than for maternal purebreds and were significantly higher in the red-spotted grouper ♀ × kelp grouper ♂ hybrid (RGKG, 89.61 ± 1.58%) than in the kelp grouper ♀ × red-spotted grouper ♂ hybrid (KGRG, 74.82 ± 4.23%, p < 0.05). Unlike the fertilization rates, the hatching rates of fertilized eggs were similar between hybrids and maternal purebreds and did not differ significantly between KGRG and RGKG (72.74 ± 3.60% vs. 75.23 ± 2.20%, respectively, p > 0.05). The embryonic development of the hybrids was similar to that of maternal purebreds; however, irregular cleavage and asymmetric blastoderm were noticeable in the developing eggs of KGRG hybrids. The deformity rates of newly hatched larvae were higher in hybrids than in maternal purebreds and were significantly higher in KGRG than in RGKG (17.47 ± 1.28% vs. 7.11 ± 0.54%, respectively, p < 0.05). These results demonstrate the potential to produce viable larvae from these two hybrids. Although the production efficiency of KGRG was lower than that of RGKG, the fertilization, hatching, and deformity rates make both hybrids useful for further comparative studies regarding economic aspects.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.557-562
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• 2020

As part of an effort to establish of novel grouper hybrids for the aquaculture industry, we compared the embryonic development of fertilized eggs of giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus ♀×kelp grouper E. bruneus ♂ (GGKG) and giant grouper ♀×red-spotted grouper E. akaara ♂ (GGRG) with a maternal purebred (giant grouper ♀×♂, GG) at 27-29℃. The hatching rates were lower in GGKG (2.59%) and GGRG (0.36%) than in GG (12.29%). The hatching times were considerably longer in the two hybrids than in GG (22 h), which were similar between GGKG (28 h 30 min) and GGRG (28 h). The total lengths of yolk-absorbed larvae of GGKG (2.546±0.132 mm) and GGRG (2.602±0.093 mm) were similar to that of GG (2.565±0.149 mm). The deformity rates of hatched larvae (64.29-75.00%) did not differ between the two hybrids and GG. Although the hatching and deformity rates of GGKG and GGRG were inferior to those of GG, the possibility of mass production of the two hybrids larvae was demonstrated in this study.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.479-485
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• 2020

We evaluated the hatchability of fertilized eggs from six hybrid combinations of highly valued grouper species inhabiting temperate and warm waters, with the goal of establishing a novel hybrid with enhanced growth and viability during the culturing period in the temperate waters of Korea. Hybrid combinations with red-spotted grouper females exhibited high hatchability with high a fertilization and hatching rate of fertilized eggs and a low deformity rate of hatched larvae. Conversely, hybrid combinations with kelp grouper females had very low hatching rates and very high deformity rates; commercial production of seed from such crosses would be difficult without improving hatchability. The hatchabilities of convict grouper ♀×giant grouper ♂ and kelp grouper ♀×red-spotted grouper ♂ were lower than those of maternal purebreds, but these two hybrid combinations were expected to produce potentially large quantities of hatched larvae. In the above evaluation, promising hybrid combinations were identified for commercial production of seed. For these hybrids to contribute to the development of Korea's mariculture industry, mass production of fertilized eggs and seeds is necessary, along with the development of advanced rearing techniques, such as the identification of a suitable rearing temperature.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.70-73
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• 2014

Interspecific hybrids between tiger grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus and giant grouper E. lanceolatus were genetically identified based on the partial sequence analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COX I) gene and nuclear recombination activating gene 2 (RAG 2) gene. Out of 585 base positions of RAG 2, a total of five nucleotide substitutions were detected between the two parental species (E. fuscoguttatus and E. lanceolatus). The hybrids had two distinct types of RAG 2 sequences corresponding to those of both parental species. Mitochondrial COX I gene sequencing showed that hybrids had sequences identical to E. fuscoguttatus. Molecular data clearly demonstrate that hybridization does occur between E. fuscoguttatus and E. lanceolatus, but with E. fuscoguttatus as the maternal parent.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.566-571
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• 2020

To classify a presumed hybrid of imported grouper species acquired from the National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, maternal and paternal lines were identified based on partial sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (co1) and nuclear recombination activation gene 1 (rag1) genes. The matrilineal species was identified as Epinephleus moara by a partial (760 bp) co1 sequence. Ambiguous sequences with base pairs belonging to E. moara or E. lanceolatus were found in a total of 15 different base pairs in the partial 1,159 bp of the rag1 gene, and the patrilineal species was found to be E. lanceolatus. Therefore, all of the groupers examined in the study were identified to be hybrids of E. moara and E. lanceolatus. In addition, a fast and convenient method using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was established for hybrid discrimination. Hybrids between E. moara ♀ and E. lanceolatus ♂ were identified through specific bands of 387 bp and 433 bp in PRIMER 6.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.572-576
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• 2020

As grouper aquaculture production intensifies worldwide, hybrids are increasingly produced to induce heterosis of traits such as rapid growth and strong environmental adaptability. In this study, we compared the morphological characteristics of a hybrid grouper to those of its parent species Epinephelus moara and E. lanceolatus. The coefficients of external and skeletal traits evaluated using soft X-rays did not differ significantly among groups; however, several patterns were detected among measured traits. The body depth (BD), length of caudal peduncle (LCP), and pre-anal fin length (PAL) of the hybrid were the same as those of E. moara, whereas the pre-pectoral fin length (PPL) and interorbital width (IOW) of the hybrid were the same as those of E. lanceolatus. Traits that did not differ significantly among the three groups included pre-dorsal fin length (PDL), pre-ventral fin length (PVL), length of anal fin (LAF), and length of dorsal fin (LDF), whereas the depth of caudal peduncle (DCP) and snout length (SNL) showed intermediate traits, and eye diameter (ED) was significantly smaller in the hybrid. Therefore, intermediate traits such as DCP and SNL and specific traits such as ED may be used as indices for hybrid classification.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.499-505
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• 2020

We investigated growth, survival and stress response depending on salinity changes in hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀×E. polyphekadion ♂, BCG) juvenile. Experiment I (Exp I), the hybrids were stocked at 32 psu and reared for 30 days under decreasing salinity at a rate of 5-7 psu per day (25, 20, 15, 10, 5 psu). Experiment II (Exp II), the salinity was decreased from 32 psu to 5 psu during a period of 24, 48 and 72 h. Experiment III (Exp III), acclimatized BCGs were exposed from 5 psu to decreasing salinity at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 psu. In the Exp I, 90% survival only in the 5 psu. Growth were 5 and 32 psu had significantly low growth than other treatment. In the Exp II 100% survived by the end of the experiment. The plasma cortisol level was highest in the treatment the salinity rapidly dropped, but all the treatment recovered quickly after 24 h of salinity reduction. In the Exp III, the lower the salinity, the faster the mortality occurred in salinity below 5 psu. It is therefore concluded that the BCGs are highly tolerant of low salinity and the salinity tolerance threshold is 5 psu.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2022

The profer salinity range for aquaculture of hybrid grouper (Epinephleus bruneus♀ × Epinephleus lanceolatus♂) were evaluated in terms of their survival, growth, feed intake and physiological responses after 30 days of exposure to different salinities (0 psu, 3 psu, 5 psu, 10 psu, 15 psu, 20 psu, 25 psu, 30 psu). Hybrid grouper all died at 0 psu salinity on the 4th day of exposure but all hybrid survived at a salinity of 5 psu or higher during the exposure period. Body length and weight increased above 5 psu salinity and the growth rate was the highest at 30 psu. Hybrid exposed to 3 psu did not eat the feed pellet. Feed intake did not show a significant difference between salinity 20 psu, 25 psu and 30 psu. Plasma osmolality of the juvenile hybrids exposed to different salinities was 341~368 mg Osmol/kg above 5 psu. The oxygen consumption rate was the highest at 30 psu with 163.6±22.3 mg O₂/kg fish/h. SOD, CAT and GSH-PX were significantly higher at 15 psu. Therefore, the critical salinity for survive of the juvenile hybrid was 5 psu, and the proper salinity for optimal culture was analyzed with 20~30 psu.