Biotic communities and feeding habits of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) and Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson 1974) in monoculture and polyculture semi-intensive ponds

Zooplankton, macrozoobenthos and feeding habits of Litopenaeus stylirostris and L. vannamei in monoculture and polyculture semi‐intensive experimental ponds were evaluated. Zooplankton was more abundant in monoculture of L. stylirostris (1002±670 organisms (org.) L^?1) than in monoculture of L. vannamei (470±37 org. L^?1), and polyculture (321±188 org. L^?1). The main zooplanktonic groups were polychaeta larvae, nauplii, copepods and polychaeta. Macrozoobenthos was more abundant in polyculture (6898±11 137 org. m^?2) compared with monoculture of L. stylirostris (3201±350 org. m^?2) and L. vannamei (2384±3752 org. m^?2). The main benthic groups were copepods, polychaeta, ostracods, nematodes and insects. Differences in feeding habits were found between species and regimes. Litopenaeus vannamei showed to be a more voracious species and fed mostly on organic detritus and benthos in both culture regimes. Litopenaeus stylirostris had a more restricted sources of feed in the ponds. The major component in the stomach content of both species was detritus. Macroalgae, sand, exuvia, formulated feed, prey and microalgae were minor components for both species (<7%). Ingestion of formulated feed was <4% for L. stylirostris and was not detected for L. vannamei. The stomach repletion rates were larger for L. vannamei (55.6% and 48.8%) than for L. stylirostris (43.75% and 44.89%). Litopenaeus stylirostris grew better in polyculture (10.3±3.4 g) that in monoculture (9.0±3.8 g). Litopenaeus vannamei grew better in monoculture (16.1±4.8 g) than in polyculture (13.4±4.5 g). For both species, feed conversion ratio was lower in polyculture.     

Nematopsis marinus n. sp., a new septate gregarine from cultured penaeoid shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), in Ecuador

The septate gregarine Nematopsis marinus n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cephaline) heavily infected the midgut of cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in Ecuador. It is morphologically similar to other species of the genera Nematopsis, but it can be distinguished from them, by having gamonts with a prominent hemispherical protomerite that contained numerous refractile granules and unusual strong gliding movement. There is evidence that shrimp acquired the infection in the ponds, as larval or postlarval stages do not showed infection. Juveniles and adult shrimp had a prevalence and intensity of infection ranging from 50% to 80% and 10 to > 5000 parasites respectively. When voided from the gut, the gregarine keep alive in seawater. This gregarine have been associated with the marine environment and there are no records of this species in low salinity waters or freshwater. Results suggest that N. marinus could have most of the life cycle of the species within the host L. vannamei.     

IHHN virus: Infectivity and pathogenicity studies in Penaeus stylirostris and Penaeus vannamei

Infectivity studies of infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) were conducted on Penaeus stylirostris and P. vannamei (representing species highly susceptible and highly refractory to the disease) via intramuscular injections of the virus. Distinctive histological lesion patterns were observed between species. Six target organ systems were compared interspecifically. The gills and nerve cord/ganglia were shown to undergo significantly higher degrees of tissue damage in infected P. stylirostris compared with infected P. vannamei. Pathogenetic differences correlated well with observed differences in epizootiology between the two species.The infectivity study confirmed that IHHN disease is virus-caused. Cell-free extracts from IHHNV-infected shrimp, when injected into healthy, susceptible shrimp, produced mortalities and Cowdry type A intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies presently considered pathognomonic for the disease.     

Competition of infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) for binding to shrimp cellular membrane

Infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) are two widespread shrimp viruses. The interference of IHHNV on WSSV was the first reported case of viral interference that involved crustacean viruses and has been subsequently confirmed. However, the mechanisms underlying the induction of WSSV resistance through IHHNV infection are practically unknown. In this study, the interference mechanisms between IHHNV and WSSV were studied using a competitive ELISA. The binding of WSSV and IHHNV to cellular membrane of Litopenaeus vannamei was examined. The results suggested that there existed a mutual competition between IHHNV and WSSV for binding to receptors present on cellular membrane of L. vannamei and that the inhibitory effects of WSSV towards IHHNV were more distinct than those of IHHNV towards WSSV.     

凡纳滨对虾LvRab5B蛋白与IHHNV病毒蛋白的互作

为了探究LvRab5B蛋白在凡纳滨对虾抗病毒感染中的作用,实验分别构建了LvRab5B蛋白在昆虫和酵母细胞中的融合表达载体,将不同的载体导入不同的细胞中,利用免疫荧光和酵母双杂交的方法研究了Lv Rab5B蛋白在昆虫细胞中的表达以及Lv Rab5B蛋白与病毒IHHNV之间的互作关系;通过qRT-PCR方法研究了该蛋白在健康对虾不同组织中的表达情况以及凡纳滨对虾分别感染IHHNV和WSSV后不同时间点的相对表达量。结果显示,Lv Rab5B基因融合蛋白能够在昆虫细胞中表达;Lv Rab5B蛋白与IHHNV病毒衣壳蛋白CP无相互作用,而与非结构蛋白NS1相互作用明显,与非结构蛋白NS2作用较弱。qRT-PCR结果显示,LvRab5B基因在凡纳滨对虾心脏、鳃腺、肠道、胃、肝胰脏和肌肉中都表达,在肠道中表达量最高,肝胰脏次之;Lv Rab5B蛋白在凡纳滨对虾机体感染病毒前后的表达情况不同,感染初期表达降低,随后迅速上升,末期下降。研究表明,LvRab5B基因参与凡纳滨对虾抵抗IHHNV和WSSV病毒的先天免疫过程,为进一步研究Lv Rab5B蛋白在对虾机体中的免疫功能及作用机制奠定了基础。     

Studies of the Thermal and Haline Influences on Growth and Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei and Litopenaeus setiferus

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effects of salinity (1–48 g/L) on the biological performance, as evaluated by growth and survival, of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and the Atlantic white shrimp, Litopenaeus setiferus, reared at temperatures of 20, 24 or 28 C. Poor growth and survival of L. vannamei was observed after 21–28 d of culture at low salinity (2 and 4 g/L) at 20 C. Raising salinity to 8 and up to 32 g/L significantly increased survival at this temperature, indicating that avoiding low temperatures is critical for survival of this species when reared at low salinity. A major improvement in the growth rate of L. vannamei was observed at 24 C, but it still was sub‐optimal compared to growth observed at 28 C. Irrespective of salinity, high survival rates were observed at both 24 and 28 C, but variable growth rates were recorded. Contrary to L. vannamei, the Atlantic white shrimp, L. setiferus, which was reared for 28 d at 24 C only, had better growth performance at 8 g/L compared to 2, 16 and 32 g/L. Under equal experimental conditions, L. setiferus had considerably lower weight gain and survival than L. vannamei.     

Effect of dietary protein and energy levels on growth,oxygen consumption,haemolymph and digestive gland carbohydrates,nitrogen excretion and osmotic pressure of Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) and L. setiferus (Linne) juveniles (Crustacea,Decapoda; Penaeidae)

The influence of protein and energy levels on growth rate, survival, pre- and post-prandial oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, haemolymph glucose (HG), glycogen in digestive gland and osmotic pressure (OP) in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) and L. setiferus (Linne) juveniles was studied. Diets containing a high-quality protein at a protein/energy (P/E) ratio of 16, 26, 31 and 36 mg kJ⁻¹ were fed at 20% of shrimp body weight of two sizes: < 1 g and > 1 g. Both species showed a optimum P/E ratio of 36 mg kJ⁻¹ (33–44% protein and 6–23% carbohydrate) in juveniles < 1 g. For shrimp > 1 g, L. setiferus showed a higher growth rate in the diet with 16 mg kJ⁻¹ (27% protein; 32% carbohydrate) and L. vannamei between 26 and 36 mg kJ⁻¹ (33–44% protein and 6–23% carbohydrate). In both experiments, the growth rate of L. vannamei was 2–3 times that observed in L. setiferus. Routine oxygen consumption and apparent heat increment (AHI) of L. setiferus juveniles was two times higher than that observed in L. vannamei juveniles, which could indicate that L. setiferus has a higher metabolic rate. The O/N ratio varied according to protein level, with higher values (O/N = 180) with a 16-mg kJ⁻¹ diet and lower values (O/N = 73) with a 36-mg kJ⁻¹ diet in L. setiferus juveniles. A similar variation in O/N ratio was obtained in L. vannamei fed with all diets with an interval between 22 and 50. An inverse relation between ammonia excretion and HG, and digestive gland glycogen (DGG) in relation to an increase in the P/E ratio indicate that both shrimp species are well adapted to use carbohydrates and/or proteins from their diet. The higher values of hyper-osmotic capacity (hyper-OC) were observed in L. setiferus < 1 g fed with 36 mg kJ⁻¹ and the lowest in L. vannamei < 1 g fed with 31 mg kJ⁻¹. Intermediate values of hyper-OC were observed in both species fed all diets indicating that osmotic factors of juveniles < 1 g of both species are more affected by the P/E ratio than juveniles > 1 g. All results showed that juveniles > 1 g of both species are less dependent of P/E ratio than juveniles < 1 g. Litopenaeus vannamei is a most tolerant shrimp species with a high capacity to use a wide range of dietary P/E ratios for growth, which may be due to its lower energy requirements. Litopenaeus setiferus showed a lower capacity to accept different P/E ratios but the optimum P/E ratio obtained with this species shows that L. setiferus accept diets with a high carbohydrate level as well. These results demonstrate that there are nutritional and physiological differences that explain the differences that have been observed when both species were cultured in commercial ponds.     

凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)传染性皮下及造血组织坏死病毒(IHHNV)及虾肝肠胞虫(EHP)的荧光定量PCR检测

2013年,河北、天津等地区养殖的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)育苗期出现死苗、出苗率低的情况,生产上,仔虾个体大小差异较大,造成了严重损失.本研究采用荧光定量PCR方法(Real-time PCR)对天津大港地区采集的108尾凡纳滨对虾仔虾样品进行单尾病原检测.结果显示,传染性皮下及造血组织坏死病毒(Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus,IHHNV)和虾肝肠胞虫(Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei,EHP)均有检出.IHHNV阳性检出率100％,每微克对虾组织DNA的病毒拷贝数为103-107,且个体较大的样品(1.2-2.0 cm)携带病毒拷贝数偏高;EHP阳性检出率为49.1％,每微克对虾组织DNA的拷贝数为103-105,且集中于个体较小样品(0.7-1.1 cm).对IHHNV和EHP阳性凡纳滨对虾样品进行生物学体长与病毒载量指数相关性分析,显示IHHNV载量指数与对虾生长速率呈正相关,虾组织IHHNV平均载量达8.51×104 copies/μg DNA,为较高的感染水平;EHP的载量与对虾生长速率呈负相关关系,与较大个体阳性检出率较低相对应,虾组织EHP平均载量达到2.19× 104 copies/μg DNA,为较高的感染水平.由此,该批凡纳滨对虾仔虾患病为IHHNV和EHP的混合感染所致,本研究数据为IHHNV和EHP病原混合感染流行情况及其对养殖育苗期仔虾生长的影响提供科学依据.     

Heritability and genetic correlations for infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus load,body weight at harvest,and survival rate in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Heritability and genetic correlations for body weight at harvest size (BW), grow-out survival (SU), and log-transformed infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) load (VL_ln) in Litopenaeus vannamei were estimated. Data were obtained in 2012 from a shrimp breeding population in Mexico using 12,440 shrimp for BW and 16,814 shrimp for SU, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction determinations from 160 full-sib families were obtained for VL_ln. DNA was extracted from pooled muscle samples of six shrimp per family for a total of 960 individuals. Heritability estimates for BW, SU, and VL_ln at the family mean and at individual levels were 0.24 ± 0.08, 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.42 ± 0.45, and 0.08 ± 0.11, respectively. Genetic correlation estimates of BW with SU, BW with VL_ln, and VL_ln with SU were 0.40, −0.04, and −0.57, respectively. Our results suggest that VL_ln has genetic variation and a favorable genetic association with BW and SU. No serious drawbacks were found from selection responses estimated using single-trait and multitrait indices to increase BW and SU and decrease VL_ln. Favorable correlated responses for IHHNV tolerance estimated as BW/VL_ln and SU/VL_ln were also found. This study offers new insights into the possibility of using IHHNV viral load as a possible selection criterion in L. vannamei breeding programs.     

Functional characterization of Farfantepenaeus californiensis, Litopenaeus vannamei and L. stylirostris haemocyte separated using density gradient centrifugation

Haemocytes from penaeid shrimp (Farfantepenaeus californiensis, Litopenaeus vannamei and L. stylirostris) were separated using a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Shrimp haemocytes were spontaneously adhered to glass, allowing slide preparations for staining and microscopic differential counting. Like other crustaceans, shrimp has three main populations differing in presence and size of cytoplasmic granules and each population seems to be biochemical or functionally compromised. Prophenoloxidase (proPO )activity was mainly located in large granules haemocytes (75%) while the small granules cells participate with 25%, but seem to be responsible for encapsulation. Haemocyte discrimination ability was tested using Sephadex? (Seph?), DEAE‐Seph? and CM‐Seph?. Only DEAE‐Seph? was encapsulated by shrimp haemocytes and provoked the release of proPO activating system, indicating the role of particle charge in the activation of shrimp immune response.     

Transmission of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) from Dendronereis spp. (Peters) (Nereididae) to penaeid shrimp

Dendronereis spp. (Peters) (Nereididae) is a common polychaete in shrimp ponds built on intertidal land and is natural food for shrimp in traditionally managed ponds in Indonesia. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an important viral pathogen of the shrimp, can replicate in this polychaete (Desrina et al. 2013); therefore, it is a potential propagative vector for virus transmission. The major aim of this study was to determine whether WSSV can be transmitted from naturally infected Dendronereis spp. to specific pathogen‐free (SPF) Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) through feeding. WSSV was detected in naturally infected Dendronereis spp. and Penaeus monodon Fabricius from a traditional shrimp pond, and the positive animals were used in the current experiment. WSSV‐infected Dendronereis spp. and P. monodon in a pond had a point prevalence of 90% and 80%, respectively, as measured by PCR. WSSV was detected in the head, gills, blood and mid‐body of Dendronereis spp. WSSV from naturally infected Dendronereis spp was transmitted to SPF L. vannamei and subsequently from this shrimp to new naïve‐SPF L. vannamei to cause transient infection. Our findings support the contention that Dendronereis spp, upon feeding, can be a source of WSSV infection of shrimp in ponds.     

Prevalence of Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) in Litopenaeus vannamei in the Pacific Ocean off the Coast of Panama

Abstract.— In March 2000, 104 wild caught Litopenaeus wannamei broodstock, captured off the Pacific coast of Panama, were screened for the following penaeid viruses: infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of IHHNV and WSSV in wild shrimp in this area of the Western Hemisphere and to acquire specific pathogen free (SPF) L. vannamei for inclusion into the Oceanic Institute's genetic breeding program. The prevalence of the viruses was determined using the dot blot hybridization format, which is a commercially available molecular method for detecting these viruses. Dot blot hybridization assays can be used as an initial screening method to detect moderately to highly infected shrimp. The results from the dot blot assays indicated the prevalence of IHHNV in 28% and WSSV in 2% of the 104 hemolyrnph samples tested. Results from this study were used to establish the initial candidate SPF status of the animals that were assessed and to determine the prevalence of two serious pathogens of penaeid shrimp captured from the wild of the Pacific Ocean in the Central American region off the coast of Panama.     

Effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaf protein concentrate as soybean protein replacement in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) postlarvae diet

The potential of water hyacinth leaf protein concentrate (WHLPC) as an alternative protein source to soybean meal in formulated diets for the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) postlarvae, was assessed. Isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated containing 40% protein and 8% lipid. WHLPC replaced 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of soybean meal protein in the formulated diets. Twenty postlarval Litopenaeus vannamei weighing 5.0 ± 0.00032 mg were randomly assigned to twelve 30‐L aquarium tanks and were fed experimental diets for 70 days. Results show that the overall biological performance of shrimp in terms of specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed efficiency (FE) and survival in treatment receiving the 25% WHLPC replacement is comparable to that of the control diet. Replacement levels beyond 25% exhibited significant depression in terms of growth performance of the shrimp. Collectively, these findings indicate that WHLPC can replace 25% of soybean meal protein in the formulated diets of L. vannamei.     

Sperm capacitation of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Litopenaeus vannamei is one of the most important species of farmed shrimp. The females have an ‘open’ thelycum. Mating is accomplished by attaching the male spermatophore onto the surface of the thelycum 4–6 h before spawning. During this period, sperm may have to undergo morphological changes associated with a capacitation process that has been described for other shrimp species. The objective of this research was to extend research on sperm capacitation in L. vannamei by ultrastructural and biochemical means. The sperm of L. vannamei were divided into those freshly prepared from the spermatophore (S‐sperm), extracted from the male gonopores, and those extracted from the female thelycum (T‐sperm). Under transmission electron microscopy, ultrastructural differences were detected between the S‐ and the T‐sperm in the nuclear material, the filamentous meshwork and the cytoplasmic particles. Under scanning electron microscopy, the difference was observed in the cap and spike regions. Immunofluorescence using confocal microscopy to detect tyrosine phosphorylated proteins revealed different distribution patterns between S‐ and T‐sperm. The location of phosphorylation activity changed from the spike in S‐sperm, to the filamentous meshwork in the T‐sperm. These morphological and biochemical changes confirm that capacitation of L. vannamei sperm takes place following mating.     

Viral-like particles associated with cuticular epithelium necrosis in cultured Litopenaeus vannamei (Decapoda: Crustacea) in Ecuador

A new viral agent was found associated with the endoplasmic reticulum of epithelial cells of the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) sampled during mass mortalities. A 40% mortality rate affected nursery and grow‐out ponds during the first 50–60 days of culture, and peak mortality in ponds occurred when shrimp reached 2–4 g. Histopathological changes of affected shrimp showed different grades of necrosis in epithelial cells and, in some cases, other tissues were affected. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of columnar cells of the cuticular epithelium showed the accumulation of viral particles, either dispersed in the cytoplasm or in a string‐like or paracrystalline array. These arrays of virions were within membrane‐bound vesicles formed from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), in orderly arrays on the outer nuclear membrane or along the ER. The virus particles had apparently proliferated in the ER. The virions had an opaque area with an approximate diameter of 20 nm and an electron‐lucent surface layer. The approximate diameter of the non‐enveloped virions was 25 nm. The cytological changes observed are similar to those associated with the Picornaviridae and Nodaviridae families. The histopathology and ultrastructure of a new disease in L. vannamei is associated with the presence of a putative new virus. Until further isolation and characterization is performed, it is recommended to refer to the agent as Litopenaeus vannamei viral‐like particles (LvVLPs).     

Physiological, metabolic and haematological responses in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles fed diets supplemented with astaxanthin acclimated to low-salinity water

The effects of dietary astaxanthin supplemented at 0, 40, 80 or 150 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ on growth, survival, moult frequency, osmoregulatory capacity (OC) and selected metabolic and haematological variables in Litopenaeus vannamei acclimated to low‐salinity water (3 g L⁻¹) were evaluated. Supplemented astaxanthin at 80 mg kg⁻¹ improved growth, survival and moult frequency in shrimp. The lowest OC was also exhibited in shrimp fed with dietary astaxanthin at 80 mg kg⁻¹. Shrimp haemolymph concentrations of glucose, lactate, haemocyanin and total haemocyte count were all significantly enhanced by feeding the diet supplemented with 80 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ compared with shrimp fed with the other diets. On the basis of these results, dietary astaxanthin supplementation of 80 mg kg⁻¹ is recommended for juvenile L. vannamei cultured in low‐salinity water.     

Promotion and contribution of biota in low water exchange ponds farming blue shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson)

An experimental study was conducted during 20 weeks in Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico, in order to evaluate the feasibility of promoting biota in low‐water exchange ponds farming blue shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris. The effect of that promotion on the production parameters of cultured shrimp as well as on the water quality parameters was evaluated. Treatments consisted of: (i) ponds fed formulated food (FF), and (ii) ponds fed formulated plus promoted natural food (NFF). Phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos were effectively promoted during some weeks of the culture period. Growth and feed conversion ratio (15.16 g and 1.79 respectively) were significantly better in treatment NFF than in treatment FF (13.89 g and 2.02 respectively). Differences in some of the water quality parameters were observed among treatments. Phosphates (0.15 mg/L versus 0.53 mg/L), and total ammonia‐N (0.09 mg/L versus 0.12 mg/L) presented greater concentrations in treatment FF than in the NFF.     

Experimental white spot syndrome virus challenge of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) at different salinities

In recent years, the shrimp industry has turned to inland freshwater culture as one method to avoid problems such as the introduction of possible vectors of viral pathogens into seawater ponds. Our experiments evaluated susceptibility to white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Litopenaeus vannamei held under different salinity regimens. Juvenile L. vannamei that were conditioned at salinities of 35, 25, 15, 5 and 2 g L⁻¹ were challenged with WSSV. In order to assess the severity of white spot disease, histological analysis and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were carried out on the challenged shrimp every 4 h after 48 h post challenge. The results indicated that significantly more severe infections resulted at 15‰ than at other salinities. Mortality could not be compared due to the sampling design and because severe WSSV infections occurred in all test groups such that few shrimp remained alive in each challenged group at the end of the test. Despite this, the results suggest that salinity may affect the course and outcome of WSSV infections.     

Effect of polysaccharides extracts of algae Ulva rigida on growth,antioxidant, immune response and resistance of shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei against Photobacterium damselae

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of water‐soluble polysaccharides extract of algae Ulva rigida (WPU) as dietary supplement on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activity, and resistance of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) subjected to bacterial infection with Photobacterium damselae. Three replicate groups of shrimp (1.0 g) were fed four diets containing four levels, 0 or control, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of WPU for 8 weeks over the growth trial. Thereafter, 30 shrimps from each dietary treatment were infected with bacteria P. damselae to evaluate disease resistance of infected shrimp. The results of this study showed that WPU was effective as a growth promoter for L. vannamei. The best growth rate was observed in shrimp fed 1.5 g/kg of WPU diet. Regarding antioxidant defences, the diets supplemented with three levels of WPU stimulated glutathione peroxidase and catalase activates in experimental shrimps. MDA content of L. vannamei‐fed diet containing WPU 1.5 and WPU 1.0 was lower than WPU 0 and WPU 0. 5 diets. Also, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities of shrimp receiving WPU at 1.0 and 1.5 level were significantly higher than those fed WPU 0 and WPU 0.5 diets. In addition, using WPU extract in all diets decreased mortality in L. vannamei in a dose‐dependent manner after challenge with P. damselae. These results suggest that incorporation of water‐soluble polysaccharides from green algae U. rigida at 1.5 g/kg doses improves growth and antioxidant activity and enhances the immune responses in shrimp L. vannamei.     

A review of the development and application of soybean‐based diets for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

The production of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) has expanded to the point of being the most widely cultured species of shrimp. One of the advantages of this species is its acceptance of a wide variety of feed formulations including plant‐based feeds. Given the increases in ingredient costs, particularly fish meal, there is considerable interest in the use of alternative feed formulations for cultured species. Given that soybean meal is one of the most widely available protein sources for which production can be expanded, the move to soy‐based diets is inevitable. The successful use of alternative feed ingredients for shrimp production depends on a number of factors. This paper summarizes studies regarding the move towards high soy diets concerning manipulation of ingredients and nutrient profiles to maintain balanced feed formulations.