Identification of Diploid and Triploid Red Tilapia by Using Erythrocyte Indices.

The individuals of diploid and triploid red tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852) X Oreo- chromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) were identified by using erythrocyte indices. The major cell and minor cell axis of the erythrocyte were 27.7 and 11.5%, respectively higher in triploids as compared to diploid fishes. The increase in nucleus size of the erythrocytes of triploid was also greater by 31.7% for the major axis and 17.2% for the minor axis with respect to the erythrocytes of diploid fishes. Similarly the increase in nucleus cell surface and volume of the nucleus were also higher by 50.4 and 68.5%, respectively in the triploid fishes as compared to the diploids fishes. Moreover the erythrocyte cell surface area and cell volume of triploids were higher by 42% and 59% respectively to diploid ones. The cytoplasmic volume of erythrocyte cell was also increased by 57.9% in the triploids fishes with respect to diploid individuals. The present study clearly showed that the nuclear volume, cytoplasmic volume and nucleus surface area of the erythrocytes are significantly greater (p < 0.005) in the triploids as compared to the diploid fishes. These parameters thus can successfully be used in discriminating diploid and triploid red tilapia.