Growth of American oysters increased by polyploidy induced by blocking meiosis I but not meiosis II

Abstract Triploidy in American oysters ( Crassostrea virginica ) was induced by blocking polar body formation with cytochalasin B. Triploid oysters created by treatment during meiosis I grew faster during the first 3 years of life than did diploid siblings. Triploid oysters created during meiosis II grew at the same rate as their controls. Because heterozygosity was higher in oysters created during meiosis I than in other groups, the increased growth must be due to heterozygosity rather than to triploidy per se.