Is pearl colour produced from Pinctada margaritifera predictable through shell phenotypes and rearing environments selections?

Type Article
Date 2017-03
Language English
Author(s) Ky Chin-Long1, Le Pabic Lore1, Koua Manaarii Sham1, Molinari Nicolas2, Nakasai Seiji3, Devaux Dominique3, 4
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, UMR 241, EIO, Labex Corail,Ctr Pacific, BP 7004, F-98719 Tahiti, Polynesie Franc, France.
2 : INRA, UMR729, Montpellier SupAgro, 2 Pl Viala, F-34060 Montpellier, France.
3 : SCA Regahiga Pearls, BP 48, F-98755 Rikitea Gambier, Polynesie Franc, France.
4 : Grp Interet Econ Poe O Rikitea, BP 176, F-98755 Rikitea Gambier, Polynesie Franc, France.
Source Aquaculture Research (1355-557X) (Wiley), 2017-03 , Vol. 48 , N. 3 , P. 1041-1057
DOI 10.1111/are.12947
WOS© Times Cited 12
Keyword(s) pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, shell colour phenotype, pearl colour, environment
Abstract The black-lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera is the most important farmed mollusc species in French Polynesia. Donor oyster selection among wild P. margaritifera individuals, chosen according to their inner shell colour, makes it possible to obtain the broadest range of cultured pearl colours of any species. This study demonstrates the relative influence of using black [B] or red [R] outer shell phenotypes, combined with green [G] or yellow [Y] inner shell phenotypes, on pearl darkness level, colour categories and lustre. A large scale grafting experiment was designed and carried out over five grow-out locations, covering three archipelagos: Tuamotus, Society and Gambier. Results revealed that the [B + G] phenotypes may be used as donors to produce dark green pearl, which suit the demands of the Asian market, whereas phenotypes incorporating [R] and/or [Y] phenotypes, may be used to obtain multicolour pearls of medium / light darkness, which suit the demands of the European market. From an environmental point of view the: 1) [B] phenotype showed no significant variation for light and other pearl colour production, and 2) [Y] phenotype produced both the same rate of pearl darkness level and green colour pearls whatever the grow-out location. A classification tree model was built to predict, according to shell phenotype and culture location, the colour and darkness level of harvested pearls. Lustre was shown to be more influenced by the environment than by phenotype. These results should be taken into account in pearl farm production management and in selective breeding programs.
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Ky Chin-Long, Le Pabic Lore, Koua Manaarii Sham, Molinari Nicolas, Nakasai Seiji, Devaux Dominique (2017). Is pearl colour produced from Pinctada margaritifera predictable through shell phenotypes and rearing environments selections? Aquaculture Research, 48(3), 1041-1057. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1111/are.12947 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00285/39637/