ABSTRACT. A study was conducted to determine the optimum parameter to produce triploid in banana shrimp, Penaeus merguiensis using cold shock treatment. Three different temperatures were introduced to the shrimp eggs after 10 minutes of spawning which are 10°C, 15°C and 20°C with 3 different times of exposure (10, 15 and 20 minutes) for each temperature. Three hours after treatment, 20 eggs from each treatment were collected for chromosome analysis. Chromosome numbers were analyzed using Video Karyo Test software version 3.1. It was found that 15°C with duration of 10, 15 and 20 minutes induced 100% triploid (3n). The metaphase chromosome number ranged from 118 -154 with the mode of 132 chromosome. Treatment conducted at 10°C and 20°C for the same duration of time produced diploid, (2n) and the metaphase chromosome number ranged from 86 – 88 with the mode of 88 chromosome. The findings of this study indicate that cold shock treatment at 15°C appears to be the optimum temperature for production of triploid in banana shrimp.
KEYWORDS. Banana shrimp, penaeus merguiensis, cold shock treatment, triploid.