Recognising continued global investment in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) breeding, the Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) has introduced a new, value-driven genotyping solution designed for improved efficiency in selective breeding programmes.
Supported by the recent research study on Brazilian black tiger shrimp populations, CAT’s latest tool – a Low-Density (LD) Genotyping Panel for Black Tiger Shrimp – is designed to empower hatcheries to make faster, more informed decisions.
Whether establishing a new breeding program or optimising an existing one, CAT said its LD panel provides the ability to reveal critical insights needed to accelerate genetic progress.
“This panel was built with flexibility and breeding efficiency in mind,” said Dr Klara Verbyla, Vice President of Genetic Improvement at CAT and responsible for the team that developed the panel. “It enables essential insights into relatedness, population structure, parentage, and
genetic sex — all at a marker density that balances data quality with practical value. It’s designed for programmes that may not need thousands of markers but still require actionable results. The right tool for the task ensures both return on investment and long-term genetic gains.”
The LD panel allows black tiger shrimp producers to align genotyping strategies with specific breeding objectives and budget.
“What sets this panel apart is how well it translates to real-world use,” said Oscar Hennig, Senior Advisor and CAT’s Commercial Shrimp Production Expert. “As a former selective breeding programme manager, I’ve seen firsthand how balancing cost and insight can mean the difference between a breeding programme that survives and one that thrives. This tool gives breeding programmes a practical way to improve performance — without the unnecessary complexity of non-essential markers.”
As competition and innovation in black tiger genetics grow, CAT said its latest offering equips breeding programmes with accessible, customised, and impactful genotyping solutions to stay competitive and optimize their breeding outcomes.
“At CAT, our core purpose is to support productivity, sustainability, and global food security,” Verbyla said. “Bringing new genetic tools to market is part of that mission — and this panel is another step toward empowering shrimp producers to achieve their goals.”
