Correlation and path analysis of phenotypic traits in different geographical groups of Paphia textile（Gmelin）

【Objective】To analyze the relationship between phenotypic traits and soft body quality of Paphia textile （Gmelin） in different geographical populations of Beibu Gulf，in order to provide a basis for artificial breeding and economic selection of the P. textile.【Method】Six morphological indicators of traitsincluding shell length（SL）， shell height （SH）， shell width（SW）， leading edge length（LE）， trailing edge length（TE）， outer ligament length（LL） and outer ligament groove width（LG），and live body weight（ML），soft part weight（MM）were measured，correlation and path analysis was used to study the effect of each morphological trait on soft body quality.【Result】 The results showed that the coefficient of variation of each trait index in different geographical populations ranged from 4.880% to 25.148%， the fresh meat rate ranged from 21.400% to 24.400%. Most of the correlations among the traits were extremely significant（P＜0.01， the same below）. Besides，in Dongxing population of Guangxi，SW and LL had the greatest direct impact on the quality of software， the most important indirect effects were SW and SH，and the sum of corresponding determination coefficient was 0.541. In the Beihai population of Guangxi，the SH had the greatest direct impact on the quality of soft body， the most important indirect effects were SH and LL， and the sum of corresponding determination coefficient was 0.469. In Caotan population of Zhanjiang，Guangdong，the LE and LL had the greatest direct impact on the quality of soft body， the most important indirect effects were SW and LE，and the sum of corresponding determination coefficient was 0.509. Eliminating some insignificant morphological traits on MM，and the optimal regression equation of MM of the P. textile was established.The results of F and P tests showed that the regression relationship reached extremely significant level. 【Conclusion 】There are differences in the decisive shell morphology traits that affect the quality of the soft body of the three geographical populations of P. textile，Dongxing population in Guangxi should choose SW and TE，Beihai population in Guangxi should choose SH，and the LE and TE of the population of Caotan in Zhanjiang， Guangdong are important traits.