青、白刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)体壁营养成分的比较分析

通过对相同养殖环境条件下,青、白刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)体壁中营养成分(粗蛋白、粗脂肪、多糖、脂肪酸、氨基酸、微量元素等)的测定,比较两种刺参的营养品质与价值。结果显示,青、白刺参的出皮率,体壁中的水分、多糖和灰分含量差异显著(P0.05),粗蛋白和粗脂肪差异不显著(P0.05)。青、白刺参体壁中均检测出20种主要脂肪酸,脂肪酸总量和多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的含量差异不显著(P0.05),而青刺参饱和脂肪酸(SFA)含量显著高于白刺参,单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)含量显著低于白刺参(P0.05)。MUFA中青刺参的花生四烯酸(AA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)含量均显著低于白刺参(P0.05)。青、白刺参体壁中检测出17种氨基酸,必需氨基酸(EAA)、鲜味氨基酸(FAA)和药效氨基酸(DAA)的含量均无显著差异(P0.05)。青刺参体壁中天冬氨酸和精氨酸含量均显著低于白刺参(P0.05)。青刺参体壁中Mn和Cr的含量显著低于白刺参(P0.05)。重金属元素Pb、Cd、Hg、As的含量均符合相关食品卫生标准。综合评价认为,相同养殖环境条件下,白刺参的出皮率、多糖含量、脂肪酸中不饱和脂肪酸含量、AA和DHA的相对百分含量、氨基酸中天冬氨酸和精氨酸含量以及微量元素中Mn和Cr含量均优于青刺参。     

3种不同体色刺参体壁营养成分的比较研究

本研究分别对青色、紫色和白色刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)体壁的营养成分，包括蛋白、脂肪、粗多糖、氨基酸组成、脂肪酸组成及微量元素进行了比较分析。结果显示，青色刺参蛋白含量显著低于紫色和白色刺参(P<0.05)，脂肪含量三者无显著差异(P>0.05)，青色刺参和紫色刺参的粗多糖含量高于白色刺参(P<0.05)。3种体色刺参检测出17种氨基酸，白色和紫色刺参氨基酸含量相对较高，为48%左右，而青色刺参体壁氨基酸含量为44%左右。紫色和白色刺参的赖氨酸、苯丙氨酸、苏氨酸、缬氨酸等氨基酸的含量均显著高于青色刺参(P<0.05)。亚油酸(LA)、花生四烯酸(AA)、二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)在3种刺参占较高比重，其中，LA作为重要必需脂肪酸在紫色和白色刺参中均显著高于青色刺参(P<0.05)，为青色刺参的4.6倍左右；紫色和白色刺参的AA含量也显著高于青色刺参(P<0.05)；而青色刺参中的EPA和DHA均显著高于紫色和白色刺参(P<0.05)。在检测的矿物质中，Fe在3种刺参中含量最高，紫色刺参Fe的含量显著低于青色和白色刺参(P<0.05)；青色刺参Mn的含量显著高于紫色和白色刺参(P<0.05)；白色刺参Cr的含量显著高于青色和紫色刺参(P<0.05)。研究表明，3种体色刺参的营养成分存在较大差异，均具有进一步开发利用价值。     

獐子岛夏秋季野生仿刺参体壁营养成分的分析

对大连獐子岛海域8月和11月的野生仿刺参体壁中的水分、粗蛋白质、灰分、糖、粗脂肪含量以及脂肪酸和氨基酸组成进行了测定.试验结果表明,8月和11月仿刺参体壁中的水分粗蛋白、糖含量(质量分数)分别为89.01%、91.53%;4.65%%、3.25%;0.80%、0.15%,两月间差异极显著(P<0.01);灰分、粗脂肪含量分别为3.02%,2.79%;0.28%,0.33%,两月间无显著性差异.仿刺参体壁中的必需氨基酸含量分别占氨基酸总量的30.08%和20.02%,变异系数为20.18%,说明两月仿刺参体壁中的必需氨基酸含量占氨基酸总量的变化较大;8月和11月仿刺参体壁中廿碳五烯酸(EPA)含量分别为9.94%和11.24%,廿二碳六烯酸(DHA)含量分别为5.83%和7.02%,变异系数分别为8.71%和13.01%,表明8月与11月仿刺参体壁中的EPA、DHA含量有较大变化,11月高于8月.     

蓬莱玉参(Apostichopus sp.)体壁的营养成分分析及评价

采用生化方法对蓬莱玉参(Apostichopus sp.)体壁营养成分进行了测定,并分析评价了这一水产养殖新品种的营养和开发价值。结果显示,蓬莱玉参体壁中水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量分别为91.29%、5.25%、0.23%和3.09%,其中,粗蛋白质和灰分高于刺参,粗脂肪低于刺参,具有高蛋白、低脂肪的特点;蓬莱玉参体壁中氨基酸总量为53.76%,明显高于刺参,氨基酸组成和含量接近于FAO/WHO的推荐模式,属于质量较好的蛋白质;蓬莱玉参体壁中呈味氨基酸含量为25.63%,占氨基酸总量的47.66%,且各种呈味氨基酸含量均高于刺参,鲜美程度要好于刺参。蓬莱玉参体壁中多不饱和脂肪酸含量(PUFA)为26.47%,DHA+EPA为12.08%,不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸的比值(UFA/SFA)为3.19,均高于刺参,因此,脂肪质量优于刺参;蓬莱玉参体壁中常量及微量元素含量较高,Ca、P比例适宜,并富含VB6和VB1,其中,VB1含量为1.30 mg/100 g,含量远高于刺参。研究结果表明,蓬莱玉参营养价值优于刺参,具有较高的营养价值和保健作用。     

蓬莱玉参(Apostichopus sp.)体壁的营养成分分析及评价

采用生化方法对蓬莱玉参(Apostichopus sp.)体壁营养成分进行了测定,并分析评价了这一水产养殖新品种的营养和开发价值。结果显示,蓬莱玉参体壁中水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量分别为91.29%、5.25%、0.23%和3.09%,其中,粗蛋白质和灰分高于刺参,粗脂肪低于刺参,具有高蛋白、低脂肪的特点;蓬莱玉参体壁中氨基酸总量为53.76%,明显高于刺参,氨基酸组成和含量接近于FAO/WHO的推荐模式,属于质量较好的蛋白质;蓬莱玉参体壁中呈味氨基酸含量为25.63%,占氨基酸总量的47.66%,且各种呈味氨基酸含量均高于刺参,鲜美程度要好于刺参。蓬莱玉参体壁中多不饱和脂肪酸含量(PUFA)为26.47%,DHA+EPA为12.08%,不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸的比值(UFA/SFA)为3.19,均高于刺参,因此,脂肪质量优于刺参;蓬莱玉参体壁中常量及微量元素含量较高,Ca、P比例适宜,并富含VB6和VB1,其中,VB1含量为1.30 mg/100 g,含量远高于刺参。研究结果表明,蓬莱玉参营养价值优于刺参,具有较高的营养价值和保健作用。     

配合饲料中添加玉米DDGS对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)生长、体组成及免疫指标的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0、10％、20％、30％、40％的玉米干酒精糟及其可溶物(Dried distiller's grains with solubles,DDGS),配制成5种等氮等能的实验饲料(DDGS0、DDGS10、DDGS20、DDGS30 和DDGS40),饲喂初始体重为(9.69±0.28)g的刺参56 d,研究玉米DDGS作为替代蛋白源对其生长、体成分及免疫指标的影响.结果显示,随着玉米DDGS添加水平的升高,刺参增重率和特定生长率略有下降,但各组间差异不显著(P＞0.05).各实验组刺参体壁指数、肠道指数、肠长比以及体壁水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪和粗灰分含量均不受玉米DDGS添加的影响(P＞0.05).体腔液中溶菌酶的活性呈先上升后稳定的趋势,其中,DDGS20和DDGS40组显著高于DDGS0和DDGS 10组(P＜0.05),DDGS30组与其他各组无显著差异(P＞0.05).酸性磷酸酶的活性呈先上升后下降的趋势,在DDGS20组达到最大值,其中,DDGS20组显著高于其他各组(P＜0.05),DDGS40组显著高于DDGS0组(P＜0.05),其他各组间无显著差异(P＞0.05).酚氧化酶的活性随着DDGS添加量的增加呈上升趋势,各添加组均显著高于DDGS0组(P＜0.05),DDGS40组显著高于DDGS 10组(P＜0.05),其他各组间无显著差异(P＞0.05).饲料中添加玉米DDGS对体腔液中碱性磷酸酶和超氧化物歧化酶的活性无显著影响(P＞0.05).本研究表明,饲料中添加0-40％的玉米DDGS均不影响刺参的生长和体壁成分,且添加20％-40％的玉米DDGS能提高刺参体腔液中免疫酶的活性.     

发酵豆粕替代藻粉对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)生长及体组成的影响

为研究发酵豆粕替代藻粉对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)生长及体组成的影响,以发酵豆粕分别替代基础饲料中的藻粉及鱼粉藻粉混合物(2:15),配制9组等氮实验饲料,饲喂初始体重为17.7 g左右的刺参幼参70 d.结果显示,随替代藻粉比例的升高,实验刺参的增重率及特定生长率先升后降(P＜0.05);随替代混合物比例的升高,D8、D9组增重率及特定生长率显著低于前3组(P＜0.05),但前3组之间无显著差异(P＞0.05);替代藻粉降低了体壁粗脂肪含量(P＜0.05);替代混合物降低了粗灰分含量(P＜0.05);替代藻粉降低了体壁甘氨酸、蛋氨酸及半胱氨酸含量(P＜0.05),提高了苯丙氨酸和组氨酸含量(P＜0.05);替代混合物降低了丝氨酸、苏氨酸、甘氨酸、蛋氨酸、赖氨酸及组氨酸含量(P＜0.05),提高了精氨酸、脯氨酸、苯丙氨酸及半胱氨酸含量(尸＜0.05);替代藻粉降低了体壁Ca、Mg、Fe、Zn、Cu、Cr、Mn及Pb含量(P＜0.05);替代混合物降低了Ca、Mg、Zn、Cu、Cr及Pb含量(P＜0.05),提高了Fe及Mn含量(P＜0.05).以增重率为评价指标,经SAS REG曲线拟合,发酵豆粕替代藻粉的最佳比例为29.75％;经SAS NLIN曲线拟合,替代46.46％的鱼粉藻粉混合物对刺参生长无显著影响.     

两种甘薯饲料原料的营养成分及其对仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)摄食与生长的影响

在刺参配合饲料中添加6个比例(10％、20％、30％、40％、50％、60％)的甘薯块根粉与甘薯蔓茎粉,测定两种甘薯饲料原料的营养成分及其对仿刺参摄食与生长的影响.结果显示,甘薯块根粉中粗蛋白含量为10.01％,甘薯蔓茎粉中粗蛋白含量为5.54％;每100 g甘薯块根与蔓茎粉中氨基酸总量分别为7.33 g和4.37 g.在30 d的实验期间,投喂添加甘薯块根粉饲料的实验组仿刺参平均体重随实验时间呈上升趋势,实验结束时,10％和20％组特定生长率(SGR)显著高于对照组(P＜0.05), 30％组SGR与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05).投喂添加10％甘薯蔓茎粉的实验组仿刺参SGR与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),其余各组SGR均低于对照组(P＜0.05).投喂添加10％、20％甘薯块根粉饲料的实验组仿刺参食物转化率(FCE)显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),投喂添加10％甘薯蔓茎粉饲料的实验组FCE与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),其余各实验组仿刺参FCE显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).结果表明,当甘薯块根粉和甘薯蔓茎粉添加比例分别低于30％和10％时,可满足刺参的营养需求,提高饲料利用效率,保证并促进仿刺参的摄食与生长.     

不同投喂水平对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus Selenka)生长、消化酶及免疫相关酶活性的影响

试验研究了饥饿、次饱食、饱食和过饱食4个不同投喂水平(即2％、3％、4％和5％体重)对刺参[初始体重为(5.80±0.02)g]生长性能、体成分、消化性能以及刺参体壁与体腔液内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)和溶菌酶(LZM)活性的影响.试验在室内静水养殖系统中进行,试验水温为19-21℃,为期60 d.结果显示,在次饱食水平下,刺参特定生长率达到最高,显著高于饥饿水平和过饱食水平(P＜0.05),但与饱食水平差异不显著(P＞0.05);刺参肠道胰蛋白酶活性均随着投喂水平的提高而升高,在过饱食水平下达到最高,显著高于饥饿水平和次饱食水平(P＜0.05),但与饱食水平差异不显著(P＞0.05);刺参肠道淀粉酶活性随着投喂水平的提高呈现先下降后保持稳定的趋势,在饱食水平之后达到稳定;在饱食水平下,刺参体壁和体腔液AKP、SOD及LZM活性均表现出较高水平,表明在饱食投喂水平下,刺参抗病能力最强;不同投喂水平对刺参体壁营养组成以及刺参脏壁比均无显著影响(P＞0.05).因此,建议刺参养殖采用饱食水平进行投喂.     

饲料中花生四烯酸含量对刺参生长性能、抗氧化能力及脂肪酸代谢的影响

为探究饲料中添加花生四烯酸(arachidonic acid,ARA)对刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)生长性能、抗氧化能力及脂肪酸代谢的影响,选用初始体重为(10.78±0.06)g的刺参为研究对象,以鱼粉和发酵豆粕为主要蛋白质源,小麦粉为主要糖源制作基础饲料,通过在基础饲料中添加不同比例的ARA-纯化油,制成ARA含量分别为0.02%(对照组)、0.17%、0.36%、0.51%、0.59%和0.98%(占饲料干重)的6组等氮等脂的实验饲料,在室内循环水养殖系统进行为期56 d的养殖实验。结果表明,随着饲料中ARA含量的升高,刺参增重率(weight gain rate,WGR)呈先上升后降低的趋势,0.36%和0.51%ARA饲料组刺参WGR显著高于其他处理组(P0.05),刺参的特定生长率(specific growth rate,SGR)和饲料效率(feed efficiency,FE)与WGR具有相同的变化趋势;刺参体壁粗脂肪含量随饲料ARA含量升高呈先降低后升高的趋势,在0.51%ARA饲料组含量最低,且显著低于对照组与0.98%ARA饲料组(P0.05);同时,随饲料中ARA含量的提高,刺参体壁中ARA和n-6多不饱和脂肪酸(n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-6 PUFA)含量呈显著上升趋势,而二十碳五烯酸(eicosapentaenioc acid,EPA)、二十二碳六烯酸(docosahexaenoic acid,DHA)和n-3多不饱和脂肪酸(n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids,n-3 PUFA)含量显著降低(P0.05);抗氧化能力方面,0.36%和0.51%ARA饲料组刺参肠道中超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)和总抗氧化能力酶(total antioxidant capacity enzyme,T-AOC)活性均显著高于对照组与0.98%ARA饲料组(P0.05),而肠道丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量呈相反的变化趋势(P0.05);刺参肠道中脂肪酸合成酶(fatty acid synthase,FAS)和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(acetyl-Co A carboxylase,ACC)活性随饲料ARA含量的升高呈显著降低趋势(P0.05);刺参肠道中肉毒碱棕榈酰转移酶-1(carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1,CPT-1)活性随饲料ARA含量升高呈先升高后降低的趋势(P0.05)。研究表明,在本实验条件下,饲料中添加适量ARA(0.36%~0.51%)能够对刺参生长、抗氧化能力起到一定的促进作用,同时结果显示,饲料ARA含量会对刺参肠道内脂肪酸代谢产生一定的影响。     

维生素D3对仿刺参幼参生长、体组成及 抗氧化能力的影响

为研究维生素D3对仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)幼参生长、体组成及抗氧化能力的影响，在基础饲料中分别添加0(D1)、250(D2)、500(D3)、1000(D4)、2000(D5)、3000(D6) IU/kg的维生素D3(实测值：95、334、570、1076、2063、3081 IU/kg)，制作6组等氮等能的实验饲料，饲喂初始体重为(15.43±0.14) g仿刺参幼参56 d。结果显示，1) 维生素D3对仿刺参存活率(SR)无显著影响(P>0.05)，显著提高了增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)，D1组均显著低于其他组(P<0.05)；D3、D4、D5组肠体比(IWR)显著高于其他3组(P<0.05)，但3组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。2) 维生素D3对体壁水分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量无显著影响(P>0.05)；粗灰分含量随添加量的增加呈先升后降趋势，D5组达到最高值；羟脯氨酸含量呈先下降后上升趋势，D4组达到最低值；维生素D3显著提高了体壁Ca含量(P<0.05)；体壁维生素D3的沉积量呈先上升后下降趋势，D4组达到最高值，显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。P含量呈先上升后平稳趋势；Mg含量呈上升趋势，D1组显著低于其他组(P<0.05)；Fe含量呈先升后降趋势，D5、D6组显著低于其他组(P<0.05)；Mn含量呈下降趋势，但各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。3) 随着维生素D3添加量的增加，肠道碱性磷酸酶(AKP)及总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力呈先上升后下降趋势，丙二醛(MDA)含量呈下降趋势，各组间总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)及过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。研究表明，以增重率为评价指标，一元二次线性回归分析表明，初始体重为15.43 g的仿刺参对维生素D3的最适需求量为1587.5 IU/kg。     

Effects of dietary lipid level on growth performance,body composition and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial aimed to determine the effects of dietary lipid level on growth performance, body composition and digestive enzymes activity of juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Diets with six crude lipid levels (1.9, 13.8, 29.1, 43.6, 59.6 and 71.6 g kg^?1) were fed to sea cucumbers (initial weights 0.65 ± 0.01 g) at a density of 30 juveniles, once a day. After 60 days, body weight gain (BWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed intake (FI) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) decreased with increasing dietary lipid levels. The sea cucumbers fed 1.9 g kg^?1 crude lipid showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) BWG than those of the sea cucumbers fed 59.6 and 71.6 g kg^?1 crude lipid. Intestinal protease and lipase activities generally increased with increasing dietary lipid levels. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content of body walls generally increased with increasing dietary lipid levels. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of body walls reached the maximum value at a dietary lipid level of 13.8 g kg^?1. N‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content followed the same pattern of DHA. According to the growth performance and body composition of sea cucumbers, it can be indicated that the optimum dietary lipid level for juvenile sea cucumbers is between 1.9 and 13.8 g kg^?1.     

Optimum Level of Dietary n‐3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids for Juvenile Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial was conducted to estimate the optimum level of dietary n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) for juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicas, based on growth performance and fatty acid compositions. Diets with five n‐3 HUFAs levels (0.15, 0.22, 0.33, 0.38, and 0.46%) were fed to sea cucumber juveniles (1.97 ± 0.01 g) once a day for 60 d. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.22% n‐3 HUFAs showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio than the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.15% n‐3 HUFAs, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.33, 0.38, and 0.46% n‐3 HUFAs. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.46% n‐3 HUFAs showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher eicosapentaenoic acid and saturated fatty acid than the sea cucumber fed diets containing 0.15% n‐3 HUFAs, but not significantly different (P > 0.05) from those of sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0.22, 0.33, and 0.38% n‐3 HUFAs. The results of growth performance and n‐3 HUFA compositions of body wall indicated that the optimum level of dietary n‐3 HUFAs for juvenile sea cucumber is between 0.22 and 0.46%.     

海参体壁及消化道的氨基酸和脂肪酸分析

用氨基酸自动分析仪和气相色谱仪测定海参体壁及海参消化道中氨基酸、脂肪酸的组成和含量。结果表明:海参体壁及消化道中都含有18种氨基酸,分别占体壁干重的37.23%、消化道湿重的7.96%,其中都含有8种必需氨基酸,分别占总氨基酸的31.02%和41.81%;体壁及消化道中脂肪酸分别是19种和21种,其总量为12.931 mg/g(干重)、5.782 mg/g(湿重)。消化道中同时含有DHA和EPA,且EPA的含量最高,达17.36%。     

氨氮胁迫对不同规格刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)存活及非特异性免疫酶活性的影响

本实验以小[(6.05±0.44)g/头]、中[(14.68±1.76)g/头]、大[(25.64±3.27)g/头]的3种不同规格刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)为研究对象,研究了氨氮胁迫浓度为0、2、4、6、8、l0 mg/L时对刺参体腔液中溶菌酶(LSZ)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的影响.结果显示,在氨氮浓度为8 mg/L时,第10天后,3种不同规格刺参均出现吐肠、化皮,直至死亡.氨氮浓度为10 mg/L时中规格刺参存活率最低,为86.7％.在氨氮浓度为2 mg/L和4 mg/L时,小、中、大规格刺参的3种非特异性免疫酶活性在第4天显著升高,与对照组(氨氮浓度低于0.05 mg/L)差异显著(P＜0.05);第7、10、13天时,LSZ、CAT、SOD酶活性与第4天相比,差异不显著(P＞0.05).在氨氮浓度为6、8、10 mg/L时,LSZ、CAT、SOD酶活性在第7天达到最高,与对照组差异性显著(P＜0.05).氨氮胁迫对3种不同规格刺参的非特异性免疫酶活性的影响存在差异,在同一氨氮浓度胁迫下,敏感性依次为中规格＞大规格＞小规格.研究表明,氨氮胁迫会对刺参存活与免疫产生一定影响,在刺参养殖过程中,水环境中氨氮浓度最好控制在6 mg/L以内.     

Chemical and Nutritional Characteristics of Holothuria tubulosa (Gmelin, 1788); A Seasonally Comparative Study

Sea cucumbers belonging to the Holothuroidea class are a group of worm-like and soft-bodied echinoderms that live in nearly all marine environments. Mediterranean Holothuria tubulosa is an economic sea cucumber species found in Turkish seas. This study aimed to present the first report of detailed amino acid profile and investigate the biochemical and nutritional characteristics of H. tubulosa seasonally collected from one of the densest natural beds, located at Çanakkale Strait (Southern Coast of Marmara Sea), Turkey. According to our results, the highest protein, lipid, and ash contents (%) were found to be 10.2, 1.9, and 5.1, respectively. The highest percentages of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were 42.9, 28.3, and 37.8, respectively. Total amino acids (mg/g crude protein) ranged between 867.2 and 974.0 among all seasons. All essential amino acids were found in body wall tissues and ranged between 7.1 and 5.9. Mineral composition was found to be desirable at the recommended and threshold levels. In general, the proximate composition of H. tubulosa was directly affected by seasons (p < .05); however, amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral compositions were found to be similar among all seasons, except summer (p > .05).     

Sea cucumber habitat differentiation and site retention as determined by intraspecific stable isotope variation

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ¹³C/δ¹⁵N) were assessed as a means to ascertain the recent in situ feeding history of the common New Zealand sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis in relation to nutrient enrichment from a longline green‐lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) farm in Northern New Zealand. δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotopic signatures and the ratios of sea cucumbers sampled from within the impact footprint of the mussel farm were compared with those of sea cucumbers residing on adjacent natural reefs. Sea cucumbers from beneath mussel farming longlines had significantly different δ¹³C stable isotope signatures in comparison with sea cucumbers collected from neighbouring natural reef habitats. This difference supports the hypothesis that sea cucumbers in the same bay maintain distinctly different feeding histories, with those residing beneath mussel farming longlines deriving tissue carbon from sediment impacted by farming activities. This hypothesis is further supported by the finding that the isotope signature of sediment collected from beneath the mussel farm is consistent with the expectation that sea cucumbers were feeding on and consuming sediment enriched with bivalve waste (faeces and pseudo‐faeces). In contrast, the nitrogen stable isotope signature (δ¹⁵N) was found to be similar between sites for both sea cucumbers and assumed food sources. Both findings lend support to the viability of future sea cucumber/green‐lipped mussel farm polyculture systems. Sea cucumbers in different locations (mussel farm, natural reef) possessed distinctly different isotope signatures, suggesting that mixing of sea ranched sea cucumbers with natural reef populations would be negligible or non‐existent. Similarities between the isotope signatures in low metabolic tissue of sea cucumbers residing at the mussel farm site to that of mussel farm‐impacted sediment suggest that cucumbers beneath mussel farms appear to have high rates of retention at the farm site.     

Effects of light intensity on larval development and juvenile growth of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

The growth rate, survival rate, development and setting rate of larval sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus were measured under four light intensities (0, 50, 500 and 2,000 lx), and the growth rate and metabolism of the juvenile sea cucumbers were investigated under four light intensity treatments (0, 100, 1,000 and 2,500 lx). The light requirements (i.e. intensity) of the sea cucumber changed as they grew. Better growth performance, development and survival rate were observed in embryos and larvae under 500 lx treatment. However, reduced light intensity (50 lx) increased the settlement rate of the larvae. The highest specific growth rate occurred in juvenile sea cucumbers under 1,000 lx. The sea cucumbers in this group also had the lowest oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate, but the highest O:N ratio, indicating that the optimal light intensity for the juvenile sea cucumber culture was 1,000 lx. Therefore, appropriate light intensities were suggested to provide larval and juvenile sea cucumbers with better growth and development conditions.