Effects of dietary carotenoid on the gut and the gonad of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Gonad colour, determined by accumulated carotenoids, is an important marketability factor in sea urchin products. In this study, dietary carotenoids were fed to Paracentrotus lividus in prepared diets to test their effects on the sea urchin's gonad colour. All diets had the same basic content of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash and energy. Four diets were enriched with: (I) all-trans β-carotene; (II) astaxanthin; (III) zeaxanthin/lutein/β-carotene; and (IV) capsanthin/zeaxanthin/lutein/cryptoxanthin/β-carotene. A fifth diet had Dunaliella bardawil algal powder containing all-trans and 9-cis β-carotene added, and a sixth one was a control diet with no added carotenoids. Sea urchins were fed the control diet (no pigments) for 4 weeks, then the six experimental diets for 8 weeks. Carotenoid concentration in the gut and gonad was determined by tri-dimensional photo-diode array high performance liquid chromatography. Four qualitative colour categories were established: brown, pale yellow, medium-orange, and mango-orange.Gonad development and test diameter increased equally in all diet treatments. Carotenoid profile and concentration in the gut were higher than in the gonad or in the feed. Total carotenoid concentration was four- to ten-fold greater in the gut than in the gonad, and carotenoid profile in the gut was different from that of the diet. Gut and gonad total carotenoids, β-carotene, and echinenone concentration were not dependent on total dietary carotenoid concentration. Total carotenoid and β-carotene concentration in the gut, and total carotenoid and echinenone concentration in the gonad were significantly dependent on dietary β-carotene concentration. The percentage of gonads with acceptable colour was positively correlated with dietary and gut β-carotene concentration. Carotenoids not normally contained in the diet of P. lividus (astaxanthin, capsanthin and capsorbin), did not accumulate in the gonad. Echinenone was found in all gut and gonad samples. Over 90% of the gonads from P. lividus fed Dunaliella algal powder diet developed the optimal mango-orange colour and this diet led to the greatest echinenone concentration.     

A geostatistical approach for the stock assessment of the edible sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, in four coastal zones of Southern and West Sardinia (SW Italy, Mediterranean Sea)

Quantitative surveys of the edible sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, were conducted in four fishing zones of Sardinia (Southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea), in Autumn 2007. A total of 120 stations were geo-located along a bathymetric gradient ranging from 0 to 10 m. A geostatistical method was used to evaluate spatial patterns in density and to estimate harvestable stocks. Variographic analyses showed that the isotropic Gaussian and spherical models successfully explained the spatial structure of sea urchin assemblages in these areas. Density maps obtained by punctual kriging showed that sea urchin populations tend to be patchy rather than uniform in their density distribution. A combination of mapping and size categories was used to generate diverse scenarios of harvestable stocks (specimens ≥50 mm in diameter) before the start of the current fishing season. We conclude that the geostatistical approach, which takes into consideration the spatial autocorrelation structure of the populations in small areas, seems to be a good estimator of P. lividus density and biomass and for the assessment of its harvestable stocks, and thus provides an initial step towards a scientific approach to the management of local sea urchin fisheries.     

Investigating fragment size for culturing reef-building corals (Porites lobata and P. compressa) in ex situ nurseries

Culturing small propagules of coral has the potential for high yield with low environmental impact, provided that mortality is low. This study investigated the size-specific mortality and growth of minute fragments (as small as 5 polyps) of two of the most abundant reef-building corals in Hawaii (Porites lobata and P. compressa). Two ex situ nursery systems differing in cost, design complexity, and labor intensity were compared. The first nursery experiment lasted for four months in a large tank with high water motion/surge and extensive manual cleaning to remove competitive algae. The corals were then transferred to a simple low-flow tank containing sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla) and reduced cleaning, where they were grown for six more months (Nursery II). ‘Nursery I’ resulted in 92% of P. lobata and 73% of P. compressa fragments surviving and nearly doubling in area, in spite of a brief infestation by a nudibranch (Phestilla sibogae) that primarily fed on larger P. compressa fragments. There was a significant positive relationship between fragment size and growth rate, and survivorship was significantly different between donor colonies (genets), but there was no evidence of size-specific mortality. ‘Nursery II’ on the other hand had clear size-specific mortality and higher urchin damage for smaller fragments, resulting in moderate survivorship (78% for P. lobata and 76% for P. compressa), and only a slight increase in the total area covered by coral tissue. Fragments larger than 3 cm² were undamaged and had the highest survival and growth rates. This study illustrates how size-specific mortality can be reduced by ex situ nursery conditions.     

Suspension of annual gametogenesis in North American green sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) experiencing invariant photoperiod—Applications for land-based aquaculture

Sea urchin fisheries are valuable commercial resources in the United States with processed gonads sold in Japanese and American markets and maximum US sales of $150M US dollars in 1996. Wild populations of sea urchins on all coasts of the US have been dramatically over-fished. Aquaculture of sea urchins in land-based facilities can help restore commercial populations and preserve this ecologically important herbivore. In this study, we used invariant summer photoperiod to prevent gametogenesis in the North American green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) maintained in a land-based aquaculture system and provided a commercially available formulated feed that promotes maximum growth of intra-gonadal somatic nutrient storage cells called nutritive phagocytes. Results were compared with individuals fed the same formulated feed under ambient photoperiod in cages in the ocean. Monthly samples of gonads from both treatments were evaluated for gonad index, volume fractions of cellular constituents of the germinal epithelium, oocyte diameters and taste. Over the 5 months of this study, gonad indices increased significantly (p < 0.001) in both treatments from 4.8% ± 0.9 (all values ± SE) initially to 20.5% ± 2.1 under invariant and 23.2% ± 1.4 under ambient photoperiod with no significant difference between treatments (p = 0.55). Volume fractions of nutritive phagocytes increased to 80.3% ± 5.9 (initial 37.9% ± 7.1) in males and 71.0% ± 6.7 (initial 10.3% ± 4.0) in females (p < 0.001) only under invariant photoperiod. Nutritive phagocyte lengths increased under both photoperiod treatments, but the volume fraction containing nutrients was higher under invariant photoperiod. Volume fractions of gonial/gametogenic cells increased significantly (p < 0.001) only under ambient photoperiod from 20.4% ± 5.5 to 37.8% ± 1.8 in males and 0% to 22.6% ± 3.6 in females. The volume fraction of residual oocytes from last year's oogenesis increased under invariant photoperiod while that of both residual and new oocytes increased under ambient photoperiod. Residual oocyte diameters increased from 56.2 μm ± 2.2 initially to 93.5 μm ± 3.7 under invariant and those of residual and new oocytes to 126.0 μm ± 7.3 under ambient photoperiod. Invariant photoperiod yields gonads in both sexes of S. droebachiensis that do not initiate fall gametogenesis but attain large size as their nutritive phagocytes grow substantially in size. A Canadian study of wild-collected S. droebachiensis indicated that gonads taste best when they contain pre-dominantly nutritive phagocytes and not copious gametes, however gonad taste in our study was unsatisfactory suggesting that the only commercially available sea urchin diet requires modification to support commercial development of land-based aquaculture.     

Can sea urchins benefit from an artificial diet? Physiological and histological assessment for echinoculture feasibility evaluation

In the Mediterranean sea, since the time of ancient Greece, the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus has been considered a delicacy, and as a consequence, the market demand has increased since the early 1970s, significantly causing a depletion of wild stock. For this reason, the interest in breeding sea urchins has widened over the last two decades and several formulated diets were developed. In order to identify a low‐cost diet, which is able to promote both the maintenance and the gonadal growth of organisms in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), we evaluated the food intake of three different diets: the first composed of macroalgae naturally present in the sea urchins collection site, a second diet based on maize and spinach and finally a diet based on pellet normally used in aquaculture. The results presented in this study demonstrated the good feasibility of a low‐cost and easy‐to‐standardize diet, such as that based on maize and spinach, in rearing vulnerable species such as P. lividus in RAS.     

Evaluation of dried macrophytes as an alternative diet for the rearing of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816)

The aim of this work was to assess the potential use of different dried macroalgae as food in the rearing of Paracentrotus lividus. Growth, consumption and food conversions were compared in adult sea urchins fed with fresh or dried thalli of four macroalgae species. Six experimental diets were tested: (a) fresh Palmaria palmata; (b) fresh Saccharina latissima; (c) dry P. palmata; (d) dry S. latissima; (e) dry Laminaria digitata and (f) dry Grateloupia turuturu. Linear growth rates were similar for all treatments. Specific growth rate was higher in sea urchins fed with fresh P. palmata, but no difference was found between animals fed with fresh S. latissima and those fed with dried diets. Regarding daily food consumption (DFC), sea urchins consumed the same amount of dried macroalgae as fresh but exhibited a higher food conversion efficiency (FCE) when fed with fresh P. palmata. However, this FCE was only significantly higher when compared to sea urchins fed with dry L. digitata. Dried G. turuturu is not a suitable diet due to its rapid degradation after rehydration. The results suggest that P. lividus adults can be reared on dried macroalgae thalli without detriment to their somatic growth, especially over short periods. The low cost of feeding sea urchins with this diet could help small shellfish farmers to diversify their production into echinoculture.     

Gonad quality of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus cultured in an offshore pilot‐scale trial on the south‐east Italian coast

A pilot project aimed at testing roe enhancement strategies based on offshore Paracentrotus lividus cultures was conducted off the south‐east coast of Italy (Apulia Region). Adult sea urchins were reared in sea cages located 700 m offshore at a depth of 12 m for 3 months. The animals were fed once a week on two formulated diets, prepared mixing nutrients with agar 20 g/Kg and differing only in terms of the protein source: anchovy flour (Diet A) or krill flour (Diet K). At the end of the rearing trial, the gonad somatic index of sea urchins fed on formulated diets significantly exceeded that of wild sea urchins. Total FAA content in the gonads of wild sea urchins and Diet A‐fed sea urchins was similar, whereas in Diet K‐fed sea urchins it was significantly higher. In terms of fatty acids, the gonads contained SFAs, MUFAs and PUFAs. In visual and sensory assessment of gonads by panel test and electronic nose, the gonads of reared sea urchins were rated as being of better size, while no differences were recorded for coloration, taste and odour. This study shows that under these experimental conditions, commercial‐grade Paracentrotus lividus roe enhancement can be achieved after 3 months in sea cages.     

Influence of dietary protein on essential fatty acids in the gonadal tissue of the sea urchins Psammechinus miliaris and Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata)

The elevated accumulation of certain essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) during reproductive maturation can place a significant demand on lipid metabolism. As lipid metabolism is closely linked with protein metabolism, protein intake during maturation may significantly influence transport proteins and enzyme activity which is responsible for supplying the essential fatty acids for gamete development. The present study investigated the influence of increased protein intake on the accumulation of certain long-chain PUFA in two species of commercially valuable sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus and Psammechinus miliaris during maturation. Sea urchins were fed three macroalgal diets over a 90-day period. These diets included the red alga Palmaria palmata, which had been grown in seawater enriched with two levels of ammonia-N, which produced a high protein content (41%) or low protein content (32%). The third diet (or reference diet) used the brown macroalga Laminaria saccharina with a 23% protein content. The fatty acid composition of the gonads was determined by GC. Feeding the high protein diet had no effect on the maturation and total lipid in the gonad compared with the low protein diet, however, it did significantly increase the levels of docosahexaenoic acid DHA 22:6n-3 in the mature gonad tissue in P. miliaris and P. lividus. In contrast, only P. miliaris exhibited higher levels of arachidonic acid ARA 20:4n-6 when fed the high protein diet. The present study suggests that elevated protein levels can promote the accumulation of DHA and ARA in gonadal tissue during maturation, although the extent of the influence is species-specific and highlights the importance of understanding the complexities and inter-connectivity between protein and lipid metabolism when producing commercially valuable species.     

The relationship between feed intake and gonad growth of single and stocked green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) in a raceway culture

This study provides a robust relationship between feed intake (FI), gonad growth (GG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of cultured adult green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Sea urchins (test diameter: ∼ 54 mm and live weight: ∼ 70 g) were collected in the wild and cultured either individually or subjected to one of three stocking densities, i.e. low 2.5 (N = 36), medium 3.7 (N = 54), or high 7.3 (N = 108) kg animal per m². Animals were fed a prepared diet in excess for 56 days at 6.5-4.5 °C. The gonad index (GI) more than doubled during the 56 day trial. The final mean values of GI (17-18%), FI (0.3-0.4 g feed per animal per day), and FCR (∼ 3 g feed per g increase in gonad weight) were statistically similar between individual and stocked animals. Based on data from the individually cultured sea urchins, the relationship between daily FI (g feed per animal) and GG (g gonad increase per animal) could be described by the equation: GG = 0.619FI − 0.097 (R² = 0.533, P < 0.001). In conclusion, marketable sizes of green sea urchin perform well in raceways at densities of 7-8 kg animal per m² without adverse effects on FI, GG, and FCR.     

Feeding of the short-spined sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus intermedius</Emphasis> on macroalgae and benthic animals

To examine the feeding ecology of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, two types of macroalgal diet (kelp Saccharina longissima and red alga Ptilota filicina) and four types of benthic animal diet [barnacle Balanus glandula, limpet Lottia cassis, free-living Perinereis aibuhitensis and P. aibuhitensis attached to a stainless steel wire (wired polychaete)], were separately or simultaneously provided for urchins of 5- to 60-mm test diameter (TD). Sea urchins of even 3-mm TD could graze the kelp, and began to graze the red alga, the wired polychaete and limpet by 5-mm TD, the barnacle by 8-mm TD and the free-living polychaete by 15-mm TD, respectively. These results suggest that the variety of macroalgae and benthic animals which the urchin can graze increases with the ontogeny of their feeding organs, motility and ability to catch animals. Both juvenile and adult sea urchins preferred to eat the polychaete as well as the kelp fronds. Feed conversion efficiency and daily growth rate of the small sea urchins fed benthic animals like the polychaete were higher than those fed macroalgae. The sea urchins are likely to grow better when feeding on animals than on macroalgae, even in habitats where they can access adequate quantities of kelp.     

Acoustic conditioning for recall/recapture of escaped Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout

Escape of salmon from sea cages is a problem that continues to plague the aquaculture industry. Data collected during the past 15 years from Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and U.S. suggest significant impacts on natural runs of fish and economic losses to producers. The present report investigated the feasibility of using acoustic conditioning as a means of recalling/recapturing escaped fish. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were found to respond to frequencies in the range of 50 - 400 Hz equally well. Subsequently, both species were conditioned to a 250 Hz acoustic tone during feeding. Juvenile and sub-adult fish readily conditioned to the acoustic signal within four days, with the maximum number of fish responding (85% salmon, 96% trout) by day seven. To assess retention of conditioning, fish were exposed to a single tone without feed reinforcement every one, two or four weeks. Salmon and trout continued to respond for a seven month period with no significant decrease (88% salmon, 97% trout) in response. No significant differences were observed in the response of either species to tones differing in frequency by up to 200 Hz (89% salmon, 96% trout) and intensity by 20 dB (91% salmon, 96% trout). Both species were reproducibly recalled to a cage or feeding ring in a 3.7 m tank, but were reluctant to re-enter the cage. The findings indicate that salmon and trout are readily conditioned to acoustic signals and retain that conditioning for an extended period of time without reinforcement. These characteristics suggest that acoustic conditioning has potential as a means to recall escaped salmon and when coupled with recapture, can reduce interactions with wild stocks and losses to the producer.     

Evaluation of three seaweeds Gracilaria bursa-pastoris, Ulva rigida and Gracilaria cornea as dietary ingredients in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of three seaweeds Gracilaria bursa-pastoris (GP), Ulva rigida (UR) and Gracilaria cornea (GC) as dietary ingredients on the performance, nutrient utilisation and body composition of European sea bass juveniles. Six experimental diets were formulated to replace 5% (GP-5, UR-5, and GC-5 Diets) and 10% (GP-10, UR-10 and GC-10 Diets) fish protein hydrolysate (CPSP) by each of the three seaweeds. A control diet was used, without inclusion of any seaweed. Diets were fed to duplicate groups of 25 European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles (IBW = 4.7 g) for 10 weeks. Growth performance was only significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in fish fed the GC-10 diet, whereas the feed conversion ratio increased significantly in those fish. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and lipid were significantly lower in fish fed diet GC-10 relative to those fed the control diet. Carcass composition was similar among treatments, although fish fed GC-10 exhibited significantly higher ash content.The results obtained in this study suggest that the inclusion of G. bursa-pastoris (GP) and U. rigida (UR), up to 10%, can be considered as very interesting ingredients in diets for sea bass juveniles, as no negative consequences on growth performance, nutrient utilization or body composition were observed. On the other hand, the inclusion of G. cornea (GC) should be limited to 5% of the diet.     

AFLP-based genetic linkage map of marine shrimp Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) chinensis

This paper presents the genetic linkage map of the Chinese shrimp Penaeus (Fenneropenaeus) chinensis constructed with 472 AFLP markers. A hundred F₁ progeny from an intercross between a female from the new variety “Yellow Sea No. 1” and wild caught male used for the mapping study. Two separate maps were constructed for each parent. The female linkage map consisted of 197 marker loci forming 35 linkage groups and spanned a total length of 2191.1 cM, with an average marker space of 13.5 cM. The male map consisted of 194 marker loci mapped to 36 linkage groups and spanned a total length of 1737.3 cM, with an average marker spacing of 11.0 cM. The level of segregation distortion observed in this study was 12.2%. The estimated genome length of P. chinensis was 3150.3 cM for the female and 2549.3 cM for the male, respectively. The observed genome coverage was 69.6% for the female and 68.1% for the male map. The linkage maps constructed in this study provide basic information for further linkage studies on Chinese shrimp, and more importantly, the construction of the maps are part of the work of the genetic breeding programs which will be used for growth discovered in the QTL analysis of P. chinensis.     

An experimental assessment on the effects of photoperiod treatments on the somatic and gonadal growth of the juvenile European purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Determining the optimum light conditions for sea urchins reared in land‐based systems is vital for the future use and assessment of possible commercial systems of sea urchin farming. The effects of two different light regimes, complete darkness and a long day photoperiod of 16 h light:8 h darkness, on the somatic and gonadal growth of the European sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (19.5–23.0 mm) was investigated using the commercial UrchinPlatter^? System over a 6‐month period (5 March to 5 September). Hatchery‐produced P. lividus were transported to the Aquaculture Fisheries Development Centre (AFDC, University College, Cork UCC). Before arrival at the AFDC, sea urchins were reared on a diet of Laminaria digitata. Females were the predominant species of the animal group, displaying a reproductive Stage III (growing stage) where gametogenesis was commencing. Results show that darkness supports higher somatic growth than the photoperiod treatment. Feeding rates were higher for sea urchins reared under darkness with gonadal growth increasing for both experimental treatments. Individuals reared under darkness had a higher per cent change in gonad index from the initial sample taken at the beginning of the experiment.     

The effects of stocking density on gonad growth, survival and feed intake of adult green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)

In this study the effects of different stocking densities on survival, gonad growth and feed intake in adult green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) were examined. Two size groups of sea urchins with respective initial mean weight of 45 g (S) and 70 g (L) were used. The experiments were carried out in 755 l plastic tanks divided into chambers by vertical fibreglass lamellae. In the two experiments stocking densities of 6, 12, 14 and 16 kg m^− 2 (Exp I) and 3, 6 and 8 kg m^− 2 (Exp II) were used. Sea urchins reared individually in compartmentalised raceways were used as controls in both experiments. All groups were fed a formulated moist feed ad libitum for 60 days at 8 °C (± 0.5). Mortality was observed in all groups, except for the control group and the lowest density group of large sea urchins (3 kg m^− 2, L). Both mortality and occurrence of injuries increased significantly with increasing stocking density in both experiments and for both size groups. In the highest density groups mortality was 60% (L) and 80% (S). There was a significant increase in gonad index during the experimental period in both experiments. Increased stocking density had a significantly negative effect on gonad growth in both size groups while feed intake was unaffected. The results show that adult S. droebachiensis can maintain high survival rate and high gonad growth at stocking densities up 6 kg m^− 2 in holding facilities of the design used in the present study.     

Distribution of a fish pathogen Listonella anguillarum in the Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus hatchery

The present study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of Listonella anguillarum in a Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) hatchery. A total of 2704 isolates were obtained from the developing fish, live diets and artificial feeds of Japanese flounder and their rearing water, 439 of which were identified as L. anguillarum by the combining incubation on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salt-sucrose (TCBS) agar at 35 °C overnight with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection for the VAH1 hemolysin gene. L. anguillarum was detected in all seven rotifer samples, with densities of 2.5 × 10³ to 4.6 × 10⁶ colony forming units (CFU) g^− 1. Both the analyzed samples of Nannochloropsis oculata contained this bacterium at densities of 1.6 × 10⁴ to 1.4 × 10⁵ CFU g^− 1. L. anguillarum was detected in only one of four samples of Artemia nauplii with a density of 4.8 × 10⁵ CFU g^− 1 (35%) and it was not detected in the two analyzed artificial feed samples. L. anguillarum was detected in 11 of 18 specimens of larval and juvenile Japanese flounder at densities of 5.0 × 10¹ to 7.4 × 10⁵ CFU g^− 1, while it was not detected in the two analyzed egg specimens of Japanese flounder. These results indicate that L. anguillarum associated with the developing Japanese flounder is likely derived from rearing water and live diets such as rotifers. Further, it is strongly suggested that L. anguillarum is a transient bacterium of the intestinal microflora for the Japanese flounder but is a permanently indigenous one for the Japanese flounder hatcheries.     

First feeding of Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 paralarvae using Artemia: Effect of prey size, prey density and feeding frequency

Different assays related to the first feeding of Octopus vulgaris Cuvier, 1797 are compiled in this paper. They include: age at initial feeding age, prey size selection and optimal density, attack timing after feeding, and effect of dose number on the number of captures. Prey capture and ingestion processes were also analysed. Food supplied was cultured Artemia sp. Each assay lasted 15 min.Although paralarvae already start to feed on the hatching day (day 0), it is during day 2 when a greater number of attacks is recorded (81.7 ± 14.7% paralarvae attack). They mainly prefer (significance level α = 0.05) large Artemia, 1.4 ± 0.4 mm (77.0 ± 5.6% of the total attacks) than small Artemia, 0.8 ± 0.1 mm (23.0 ± 5.6%). There is also a slight predilection for the lowest Artemia concentration (33.3 ±12.6% paralarvae attack in a 0.1 Artemia ml^− 1 density, opposite 16.7 ± 7.6 and 18.3 ± 7.6% in densities of 0.5 and 1 Artemia ml^− 1 respectively). The greatest predatory activity is recorded during the first 5 min after food is supplied (72.2 ± 25.5%). An increase in the predatory activity was also observed when food was distributed in several doses instead of a single dose (75.0 ± 10.0% and 46.7 ± 17.6% respectively). It was proved for the first time that paralarvae completely ingest their preys (including their exoskeletons), in this case Artemia. Time needed for their total ingestion ranges between 4 and 10 min.     

四种不同添加物对仿刺参非特异性免疫力和肠道免疫基因Aj-p105、Aj-p50、Aj-rel和Aj-lysmRNA表达的影响

本实验研究了饲料中添加酵母多糖(6.3 g/kg)、马氏副球菌(109 cfu/kg)、大黄(25.0 g/kg)和氟苯尼考(15.0 mg/kg)4种添加物对仿刺参[初始体质量(4.68±0.36)g]非特异性免疫力以及肠道组织免疫相关基因Aj-p105、Aj-p50、Aj-rel和Aj-lys mRNA表达的影响.每个处理分别设置5个重复,以投喂未添加上述任何成份的基础饲料组作为空白对照,养殖实验周期为60 d.结果发现,饲料中添加马氏副球菌能显著提高仿刺参体腔细胞的吞噬活性和呼吸爆发活力,而添加酵母多糖可以显著提高仿刺参体腔细胞的吞噬能力,但是添加氟苯尼考显著降低了仿刺参体腔细胞的呼吸爆发活力;而在仿刺参中肠肠道组织中,酵母多糖和马氏副球菌处理组免疫基因Aj-p105和j-p50 mRNA的表达均大幅上调,显著高于对照组.其中,酵母多糖添加组增幅分别为43.2％和63.1％,马氏副球菌添加组的增幅分别为49.8％和48.0％.马氏副球菌添加组中免疫基因Aj-lys的表达显著高于对照组,增幅为46.4％;大黄添加组中Aj-p105 mRNA的表达量显著高于对照组,而氟苯尼考添加组中Aj-p50、Aj-rel和Aj-lys的mRNA表达量相对于对照组均显著下降.研究表明,饲料中适当添加酵母多糖和马氏副球菌可有效提高仿刺参非特异性免疫力,而饲料中抗生素氟苯尼考的添加会降低仿刺参非特异性免疫力.     

The use of diatom Skeletonema costatum on aquaculture‐produced purple sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) larvae and post‐larvae diet

The quality of the microalgae provided on Paracentrotus lividus larvae rearing is a primordial factor having a direct (nutritional properties) and indirect (water quality) impact on growth, competence and survival. Skeletonema costatum is a diatom commonly used in the bivalve cultivation. However, the use of this diatom in P. lividus larval cultivations is poorly known. The Rhodomonas spp. is a microalgae commonly used in sea urchin larvae culture. Three different diets were tested on P. lividus larvae and post‐larvae cultivation (D1—Rhodomonas marina, D2—S. costatum, D3—mixture of both algae). Larvae fed with the D2 diet (55.8%) and D3 (39.9%) had a survival at 15 DAH higher than D1 (5.5%). The low survival in D1 could be due to the higher microbiological load on microalgae (Vibrio alginolyticus and V. pectenicide). Larvae fed with S. costatum (D2) showed a lower development than other diets. The competency index was lower for larvae fed with the D2. These results show that microalgae diversified diets contribute to a better development of P. lividus larvae. During the settlement and post‐settlement phase, there was also a lower growth of the sea urchin fed with the D2 and a higher survival for D3.     

Nitrogen and phosphorous budgets during a farming cycle of the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum: An in situ experiment

In the Sacca di Goro lagoon a farming cycle of the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) was simulated seeding young molluscs in an unexploited sandy spot. The experimental area (2100 m²) consisted of three sectors: a control (C), almost devoid of clams (∼ 1600 m^− 2, ∼ 30 ind m^− 2), a low (L) density area (400 m², ∼ 300 ind m^− 2) and a high (H) density zone (∼ 110 m^− 2, ∼ 800 ind m^− 2). Water chemistry, external freshwater nutrient loads, molluscs filtration rates, biomass, elemental composition and nutrient recycling were analysed.Clam filtration rates and light and dark fluxes of nutrients were measured with intact core incubations. Three replicate cores (i.d. 20 cm) were collected from C, L and H in April, one month after the seeding, June, August and October 2003. External loads were calculated multiplying dissolved and particulate nutrients concentration by freshwater flow from the main lagoon tributaries. Direct excretion, filtration activity of clams and particulate matter deposition resulted in significantly higher ammonium (NH₄⁺) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) effluxes to the water column at L and H. For the entire farming cycle, particulate nitrogen (PN) uptake by clams from the water column was 1.7 (C), 9.1 (L) and 16.3 (H) mol m^− 2, whilst total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) fluxes were − 0.3 (C), 1.6 (L) and 6.9 (H) mol m^− 2. Particulate phosphorus (PP) uptake from the water column was 0.1 (C), 0.6 (L) and 1.0 (H) mol m^− 2, whilst total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) efflux was 0.2 (C), 0.5 (L) and 0.8 (H) mol m^− 2. At the end of the farming cycle, harvested N as mollusc flesh was negligible for C, 0.4 mol m^− 2 for L and 1.8 mol m^− 2 for H. Harvested P as mollusc flesh was negligible for C, 0.02 mol m^− 2 for L and 0.04 mol m^− 2 for H. Farmed areas seem to have a great potential for fast coupling between sedimentation (filter feeder mediated biodeposition) and benthic recycling. At the lagoon level, mollusc farming probably attenuates the export of particulate matter to the open sea. Our results show that a minor fraction of biodeposited N (∼ 6%) and P (∼ 3%) was exported as a commercial product at the end of the farming cycle, whilst a larger fraction was incorporated in the sediments or recycled as dissolved inorganic or organic forms.