Effects of controlled air exposure on the survival,growth, condition,pathogen loads and refrigerated shelf life of eastern oysters

The benefits of exposing eastern oysters to air during commercial culture have not been well‐characterized. An adjustable longline system (ALS) designed in Australia and recently adopted by the nascent aquaculture industry in the northern Gulf of Mexico, allows growing oysters at any position in the water column and is perfectly suited to study the benefits of air exposure. Four‐month old diploid oysters were deployed in an ALS and divided into three groups: 1) oysters exposed to air daily for 8–12 hr during low tide, 2) oysters exposed to air weekly (~24 hr once a week), and 3) oysters kept subtidally. Oyster mortality and growth rates, Perkinsus marinus load and condition index were then determined every 3 months over 2 years, while refrigerated shelf life and Vibrio vulnificus load were determined in summer and early fall of the second year. Summer mortalities were delayed, P. marinus infection intensities tended to be lower and condition index was significantly higher in oysters exposed to air daily compared with oysters exposed to air weekly or held subtidally. Shell heights of oysters exposed to air daily were lower for most of the study due to a lower growth rate during the initial sampling interval following deployment. No consistent differences were found in V. vulnificus loads or refrigerated shelf lives between the groups. It is recommended that ALS be set so that oysters are kept subtidally fall through spring to promote growth, and exposed to air daily during summer to delay P. marinus proliferation.     

Effect of Sublethal Hypoxia on the Immune Response and Susceptibility of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, to Enteric Septicemia

The effect of sublethal hypoxia exposure on stress and immune responses and susceptibility to Edwardsiella ictaluri infection in juvenile channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, was investigated. Fish were monitored for temporal changes in glucose and cortisol concentrations before, during, and after 2 h exposure to sublethal hypoxia (<2 mg/L dissolved oxygen [DO]) and when maintained under normoxic conditions (6.0 ± 0.3 mg/L DO). Both blood glucose and plasma cortisol increased significantly in response to hypoxic conditions. Fish exposed to hypoxic or normoxic conditions were challenged with a high dose (1.3 × 10⁷ colony‐forming units [CFU]/mL) or a low dose (1.3 × 10⁵ CFU/mL) of E. ictaluri or sterile culture broth by 30‐min immersion bath. Approximately 1% of fish in both the normoxic and the hypoxic groups died when challenged with the low dose of E. ictaluri. However, when challenged with the high dose of E. ictaluri, catfish exposed to hypoxic conditions had significantly higher cumulative mortality (36 ± 12.1%) than those maintained under normoxic conditions (12 ± 1.1%). Total hemolytic complement and bactericidal activities and antibody response were lower in hypoxia‐exposed channel catfish, indicating that increased susceptibility of channel catfish to E. ictaluri may be the result of the immunosuppressive effects of the stress response to hypoxia.     

Evaluation of resistance to Dermo in eastern oyster strains tested in Chesapeake Bay

We investigated growth, Dermo disease, and survival for nine groups of oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) cultivated in Chesapeake Bay (CB). Five regional strains (upper CB, North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Louisiana (LA) and LA triploids) and four additional hybrid strains (CB oysters mated with NC, SC, LA and Texas (TX) oysters) were held in floating rafts at three locations representative of lower CB: ‘low’ salinity (3–14 g L^?1), ‘moderate’ salinity (5–20 g L^?1) and ‘high’ salinity (14–24 g L^?1). At each site, patterns of growth and incidence of infection with Perkinsus marinus (Levine), the causative agent of Dermo disease, were similar. However, mortality trends were markedly different at each site; the CB strain being notable for accelerated mortality following infection with P. marinus. In addition, hybrids between CB and all four of the regional strains exhibited similar accelerated mortality in response to infection. Mortality was strongly correlated with infection only at the high salinity site implicating interaction of differences in both oyster strain and virulence of Dermo between moderate and high salinity areas as factors in differential mortality across sites.     

Resistance of Dermo in eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), of North Carolina but not Chesapeake Bay Heritage

Growth, intensity of Perkinsus marinus (Levine) infection, and survival of synchronously spawned North Carolina (NC) and Chesapeake Bay‐heritage (CB) oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) were evaluated under standard tray culture conditions at several sites in both regions (Wye River, Maryland; Mobjack Bay, Virginia; Pamlico River, NC and Bogue Banks, NC). Infection prevalence reached 100% in oysters held at all high‐ and moderate‐salinity sites, at which time the CB strain ceased to grow. Shortly after growth ceased, CB oysters exhibited mortality that rapidly progressed to 100%. Unlike the CB strain, growth continued in the NC strain despite high P. marinus prevalence. When mortality did occur in the NC strain, at a reduced rate of 37–40%, it was associated with higher intensity of P. marinus than the infection intensity correlated with death of CB oysters. At the low‐salinity site in NC, P. marinus infection persisted at low weighted prevalence throughout the latter portion of the culture period but was not associated with mortality of either strain. These trends in growth and disease resistance for the two strains demonstrate that aquaculture performance is related to the level of disease resistance in oyster strains, salinity of water in growing areas and virulence of P. marinus.     

Varying the timing of oyster transplant: implications for management from simulation studies

The transplanting of oysters from one ground to another is a common practice in the oyster industry. In Delaware Bay, for instance, oysters are typically transplanted from upper-bay low-salinity seed beds onto lower-bay leased grounds for growth and conditioning before market. The higher salinity on the leased grounds, however, also favours higher losses to predation and disease. A coupled oyster–Perkinsus marinus–predator model was used to investigate how varying the timing of transplant affects the ultimate yield of Eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, in Delaware Bay. Simulations were run in which oysters were moved from seed beds to leased grounds in November, January, March, April and May. The number of market-size (≥ 76 mm) adults available for harvest in the following July to November was compared for populations undergoing mortality from predation (crabs, oyster drills) and/or disease (Perkinsus marinus). In all simulations, the abundance of market-size oysters declined between July and November. However, transplanting oysters in November resulted in the largest yield of market-size oysters for all harvest times; transplanting in May resulted in the smallest yield. The autumn transplant allows oysters to benefit from the larger spring phytoplankton bloom over the leased grounds in the lower estuary. The effect of varying the season of transplant was most noticeable if oysters were harvested early (July or August). In all simulations, transplanting resulted in a higher abundance of market-size oysters than direct harvest from the seed beds. Direct harvest would rarely be advantageous if the cost of transplant were insignificant and the relative rates of mortality were as stipulated. However, a May transplant is only moderately better than a direct harvest and the economic benefits of either option are likely to be determined by the cost of transplanting and the mortality associated with the process. In the same vein, the decision as to when to harvest relies on balancing the increased price obtained for oysters in the autumn with the increased loss owing to predation and disease. Awaiting an autumn harvest is clearly much riskier if the principal source of mortality is disease rather than predation, because disease mortality is concentrated on the market-size oysters and is greatest in the autumn.     

Short-term physiological response of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, on exposure to varying levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

In the present study, we investigate the short‐term adaptive physiological strategies to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) of Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, by exposing the oysters to varying levels of PAH (0, 50, 100 and 200 μg L⁻¹) for 7 days with a 3‐day acclimation period under laboratory conditions. The filtration rate (FR) and respiration rate (R) increased significantly at 50 μg L⁻¹ PAH and decreased at 100 and 200 μg L⁻¹ compared with the control. The absorption efficiency (Abs. eff.) was significantly impaired at 200 μg L⁻¹ PAH. Ammonia excretion (E) increased with increasing PAH levels, with a significant elevation at 200 μg L⁻¹. Although a significantly elevated FR was observed, oysters exposed to 50 μg L⁻¹ PAH showed scope for growth (SFG) similar to the control. This indicates that even at nominal levels, PAH contamination is a possible cause of reduced oyster production because of increased food demand. The oysters exposed to 200 μg L⁻¹ PAH showed negative SFG values, which could be a possible cause of growth stagnation or even mortality when the exposure is chronic.     

Biochemical changes in oyster tissues and hemolymph during long-term air exposure

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is a sessile bivalve that inhabits the intertidal zone and therefore frequently exposed to air during the tidal cycle. It is highly adaptive to hypoxic conditions. We have studied the physiological state of oysters during long-term exposure to air. The oysters became hypoxic when exposed to air or hypoxic seawater. The 50% lethal time of oysters exposed to air at 4, 15 and 20°C was 47.8, 15.9 and 12.2 days, respectively. The hemolymph pH decreased by day 3; however, it showed a slight increase by day 5 at both 4 and 20°C. The adenylate energy charge (AEC) values decreased rapidly on the first day of air exposure in the adductor muscle, mantle, gill and body trunk, and these decreases were accompanied by decreases in ATP concentrations and increases in AMP concentrations. The AEC values in all of the tissues had fallen to below 30% by day 50 of air exposure at 4°C. These data suggest that the energy state of oysters deteriorates rapidly with air exposure. Consequently, AEC values may be useful indices of the physiological state of the oyster during long-term exposure to air.     

Growth,mortality and reproductive traits of diploid and triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas,THUNBERG, 1793) in Southern Brazil

This work aimed to evaluate the whole weight (g), shell height (mm), mortality (%) and reproductive aspects (condition index and histology) of triploid (3N) Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultivated in southern Brazil. To accomplish this, a comparative experiment was performed with a diploid (2N) control group in two cultivation sites on Santa Catarina Island: North Bay (NB) and South Bay (SB). Whole weight, height and cumulative mortality were evaluated monthly for eight months and condition index (CI) for six months. Histological analysis was performed every two weeks for four months to investigate reproductive aspects. At the end of the experiment, whole weight and height were similar for 3N and 2N oysters. However, while more growth in whole weight and height was observed in the initial phase of cultivation in NB, such growth was not detected in SB until intermediate and final grow‐out phase. At harvest, cumulative mortality in 3N oysters was similar that in 2N oysters. The results suggest that diploid and triploid oysters grown in southern Brazil have similar developmental patterns based on whole weight and height, as well as reproductive cycle. In addition, cultivation sites have more influence on growth and mortality than ploidy levels.     

低氧胁迫对九孔鲍免疫防御因子的影响

为了解低氧胁迫条件下九孔鲍免疫防御因子的变化及机体抗病力变化, 将九孔鲍置于不同的溶解氧环境中, 观测相关免疫因子变化。结果显示, 在水温为(22.1?1.3) oC, 盐度为30.72?0.54, pH值为8.20?0.14的海水环境中, 溶解氧含量由(7.49?0.14) mg/L下调至(2.53?0.16) mg/L后120 h内, 平均体质量为(14.25±2.21) g的九孔鲍未见死亡, 而每只鲍注射5.0?10⁵ CFU 副溶血弧菌后120 h内实验鲍的累计死亡率高达91.11%?7.70%, 比对照组(11.11%?3.83%)累计死亡率高出80%, 血淋巴抑菌清除率下降至?(3 340.47%?298.57%), 显而易见, 低氧胁迫使得九孔鲍拮抗副溶血弧菌感染的抵抗力显著下降。低氧(2.53?0.16) mg/L胁迫下, 九孔鲍血淋巴细胞数量(THC)下降30.62%?4.87%、血淋巴细胞吞噬率下降62.77%?5.79%、呼吸爆发产生的超氧阴离子数量下降22.21%?5.89%。低氧胁迫下九孔鲍血淋巴细胞内MPO活性上升(9.63%?7.59%)~(22.90%?13.73%)、CAT活性提高(7.68%?6.83%)~(56.28%?13.96%), 反映出低氧胁迫下九孔鲍体内应激反应产生的物质氧化加剧, 血淋巴细胞内产生大量的活性氧自由基。溶解氧含量由(7.49?0.14) mg/L下调至(4.51?0.12) mg/L后九孔鲍已明显处于低氧胁迫和应激反应状态, 120 h内的累计死亡率达到37.78%?3.85%, 血淋巴抑菌率下降至883.56%?123.22%; THC、血淋巴细胞吞噬率、呼吸爆发产生的超氧阴离子O₂^- 数量等最大降幅分别达到12.51%?6.59%、21.90%?15.84%、12.93%?5.74%; MPO活性在原有水平的?(10.61%?4.20%)~(7.13%?6.45%)之间波动, CAT活性在?(5.17%?18.08%)~(16.26%?10.85%)之间变化。     

Histopathological,hematological, and biochemical changes in high-latitude fish Phoxinus lagowskii exposed to hypoxia

Hypoxia is one of the most significant threats to biodiversity in aquatic systems. The ability of high-latitude fish to tolerate hypoxia with histological and physiological responses is mostly unknown. We address this knowledge gap by investigating the effects of exposures to different oxygen levels using Phoxinus lagowskii (a high-latitude, cold-water fish) as a model. Fish were exposed to different oxygen levels (0.5 mg/L and 3 mg/L) for 24 h. The loss of equilibrium (LOE), an indicator of acute hypoxia tolerance, was 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/L, revealing the ability of fish to tolerate low-oxygen conditions. We sought to determine if, in P. lagowskii, the histology of gills and liver, blood indicators, enzyme activities of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and antioxidants changed to relieve stress in response to acute hypoxia. Notably, changes in vigorous jumping behavior under low oxygen revealed the exceptional hypoxia acclimation response compared with other low-latitude fish. A decrease in blood parameters, including RBC, WBC, and Hb, as well as an increase in MCV was observed compared to the controls. The increased total area in lamella and decreased ILCM volume in P. lagowskii gills were detected in the present study. Our results also showed the size of vacuoles in the livers of the hypoxic fish shrunk. Interestingly, an increase in the enzyme activity of lipid metabolism but not glucose metabolism was observed in the groups exposed to hypoxia at 6 h and 24 h. After combining histology and physiology results, our findings provide evidence that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in enhancing hypoxia acclimation in P. lagowskii. Additionally, SOD activity significantly increased during hypoxia, suggesting the presence of an antioxidant response of P. lagowskii during hypoxia. High expression levels of lipogenesis and lipolysis-related genes were detected in the 6 h 3 mg/L and 24 h 3 mg/L hypoxia group. Enhanced expression of lipid-metabolism genes (ALS4, PGC-1, and FASN) was detected during hypoxia exposure. Together, these data suggest that P. lagowskii’s ability to tolerate hypoxic events is likely mediated by a comprehensive strategy.

     

An outbreak of Shewanella putrefaciens group in wild eels Anguilla anguilla L. favoured by hypoxic aquatic environments

Microbiological analyses were conducted on wild eels from the L′Albufera Lake (Spain). A total of 174 individuals were collected in two surveys (i.e. year 2008 and autumn–winter 2014) among those caught by local fishermen into the lagoon. The prevalence of Shewanella putrefaciens group was 1.7% in 2008 and rose above 32% in 2014. It was due to an outbreak of shewanellosis that presented a morbidity rate of 64%. S. putrefaciens group strains were isolated as pure cultures from the sick eels that showed white ulcers surrounded by a reddish inflammation, damage of the mouth, extensive skin discoloration, exophthalmia, ascites and bad odour. The S. putrefaciens group was recovered from freshwater samples taken at the L′Albufera system, along autumn–winter 2015. Its counts significantly increased in freshwater parallel to hypoxia and temperature rising. Shewanellae strains were identified as S. putrefaciens and S. xiamenensis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. These isolates recovered from sick eels or freshwater were virulent for European eel by IP challenge (LD₅₀ 10⁶ CFU g^?1 body weight). They also caused 30–38% cumulative mortality, in European eels challenged by a 2‐h bath (10⁷ CFU mL^?1). These results suggest that shewanellosis could be transmitted through water highlighting the fact that hypoxic conditions increase this bacterium levels in water.     

Effects of Limited Dissolved Oxygen Supply on the Growth and Energy Allocation of Juvenile Chinese Shrimp,Fenneropenaeus chinensis

Information about the effect of hypoxia exposure on energy allocation is helpful for better understanding how aquatic animals tolerate and adapt to a hypoxic environment. The growth, molting, and energy allocation were investigated in juvenile Fenneropenaeus chinensis exposed to five different dissolved oxygen (DO) seawaters (2.09 ± 0.15, 3.10 ± 0.29, 4.13 ± 0.25, 4.73 ± 0.12, and 5.48 ± 0.09 mg/L DO) for 30 d. When DO was below 4.13 mg/L, the growth of shrimp was depressed. Feed ingestion and feed conversion efficiency decreased with the decrease of DO. Less feed ingestion was caused by lower daily metabolic energy. Higher proportion of ingested energy lost in metabolism, exuviations, and nitrogen excretion caused lower feed conversion efficiency. More energy lost in exuviations, lower survival rate, soft carapaces of dead shrimp, and cannibalism were found in oxygen deficient groups and it implicated that hypoxia could delay the shrimp recovering from molting and cause cannibalism and higher mortality. The results indicated that hypoxia was an important factor affecting the amount and fitness of shrimp stock because it could cause a high rate of mortality and growth depression.     

Effect of Water Flow Rate and Stocking Density on Nursing Hatchery-Reared Juvenile Oysters,Crassostrea belcheri in a Semi-Closed Recirculation System

Juveniles of hatchery-reared oysters (Crassostrea belcheri) were grown in a semi-closed recirculation system at water flow rates of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 l min^?1. Growth rate increased with increasing water flow rate (P < 0.05) over four weeks. No significant differences in survival were found among water flow rates (P > 0.05). Four stocking density treatments were compared: 4, 8, 12, and 16 juveniles cm^?2. Stocking density affected the growth of animals, with higher growth rates obtained at the lower densities. Optimum stocking density based on growth rate was obtained for oysters at 12 juveniles cm^?2. Survival of oysters declined with increasing density (P < 0.05) over four weeks. Among the treatments tested, a water flow rate of 4 l min^?1 and stocking density of 12 juveniles cm^?2 are suitable for nursing hatchery-reared juvenile oysters (C. belcheri) in a semi-closed recirculation system.     

Impacts of Lactobacillus plantarum in Depuration for Reducing Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

This study investigated potential application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in depuration for reducing Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014, which exhibited strong bactericidal effects against V. parahaemolyticus in vitro, was added to artificial seawater for depuration of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) inoculated with V. parahaemolyticus BE 98-2029 (O3:K6) to levels of about 10⁴ MPN/g at 15 ± 1 and 10 ± 1°C. Application of L. plantarum ATCC 8014 treatment (10⁷ CFU/mL) in oyster depuration did not enhance reductions of V. parahaemolyticus in oysters depurated at 15 ± 1°C but significantly decreased (p < 0.05) levels of V. parahaemolyticus in oysters depurated at 10 ± 1°C after 5 days (3.40 log reductions) when compared with controls (2.75 log reductions). It is not clear if a competitive exclusion by LABs to compete with V. parahaemolyticus binding sites in oyster tissues plays a role in the reduction of V. parahaemolyticus in the oysters. Further studies utilizing different types of LABs in oyster depuration might provide additional knowledge for application of LAB in depuration for decontaminating V. parahaemolyticus in oysters.     

The effects of stressors on the dynamics of Bonamia exitiosus Hine, Cochennec-Laureau & Berthe, infections in flat oysters Ostrea chilensis (Philippi)

Oysters, Ostrea chilensis, infected with Bonamia exitiosus were held under stressful conditions for 14 days, and then under normal conditions for 3.5 months, to determine the affects of stress on B.exitiosus infection levels. The stressors used were (1) air exposure for 8 h daily; (2) hot water (25–26 °C), or (3) cold water (7 °C) for 1 h daily; (4) hyposaline (15‰), or (5) hypersaline (39–40‰) water; (6) starvation in filtered sea water; and (7) vigorous stirring four times a day. A control tank held oysters in static sea water, which was changed daily. Oysters were also (8) kept in a trough among heavily infected oysters (trough exposure), or (9) in a trough without other oysters (control), for 4 months. Oysters in hyposaline conditions all died within 3 weeks, but this was apparently unrelated to Bonamia infection. Otherwise, cumulative mortalities were highest in trough exposure, cold, hypersaline and hot treatments. There was a significant difference in prevalence between treatments, and the stir, hot, cold, hypersalinity and trough exposure treatments had significantly higher intensities of infection than controls. The mean intensity of Bonamia infection was significantly higher among female and spent oysters than in male and hermaphrodite oysters.     

Can the mudskipper,Periophthalmus chrysospilos,tolerate acute environmental hypoxic exposure?

The mudskipper P. chrysospilos became inert at 0.76 μl O₂.ml⁻¹ when it was allowed to respire in a ‘closed respiratory chamber’. No ethanol was detected although it excreted three times more total carbon dioxide into the surrounding sea water than the amount of oxygen consumed. However, P. chrysospilos could survive environmental hypoxic exposure (0.8 μl O₂.ml⁻¹) for at least 6 h. Upon normoxic recovery, the oxygen debt repayment was only a small fraction of the oxygen deficit incurred during the 6 h of hypoxic exposure. It would therefore appear that P. chrysospilos was able to cope with environmental hypoxia by suppressing its metabolic rate.     

Effects of hypoxia on lysozyme activity and antioxidant defences in the kidney and spleen of Carassius auratus

Assessing the responses of lysozyme activity and antioxidant defences to hypoxia is important to understand the adaptation and tolerance strategies of fish under hypoxia. This study investigated the effects of different dissolved oxygen (DO) levels on Carassius auratus, a natural triploid fish, from Qihe River. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of lysozyme and antioxidant enzymes were measured in the kidney and spleen after hypoxic exposure. At the DO concentrations of 1 and 2 mg L^?1, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and lysozyme significantly decreased and the content of MDA significantly increased (P < 0.01). This result suggests that hypoxia decreased antioxidant enzyme and lysozyme activities and caused MDA accumulation in a concentration‐dependent manner. The DO level of 4 mg L^?1 increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the kidney and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the spleen (P < 0.05). This result implies that slight hypoxic stress can enhance antioxidant defences to alleviate the damage of oxidative stress. The reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and the accumulation of MDA at the DO level of ≤2 mg L^?1 implied the decrease in antioxidative ability and the occurrence of oxidative stress. The decrement in lysozyme activity indicated that the antibacterial ability was weakened to some degree. Therefore, hypoxic stress at DO levels ≤2 mg L^?1 should be removed by aeration to avoid the oxidative damage resulting from the reduced antioxidative ability and prevent the outbreak of diseases caused by weakened antibacterial effects.     

Physiological responses of largemouth bass to acute temperature and oxygen stressors

Abstract Temperature and oxygen gradients exist in nearly every water body, but anthropogenic activities can subject fish to rapid changes in these important environmental variables. These rapid changes in temperature and oxygen (generally referred to as temperature or oxygen shock) may have sub‐lethal consequences depending upon the magnitude and the fish species. This study quantified physiological changes in largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède), exposed to two levels of heat and cold shocks and to two levels of hypoxic and hyperoxic shocks. Following a cold shock from 20 °C to 8 °C, plasma cortisol and glucose increased after 1 h and lactate dehydrogenase activity increased after 6 h. Plasma glucose and K⁺ concentrations increased 1 h after a heat shock from 20 °C to 32 °C but not after 6 h. Bass subjected to a hypoxic shock from 8 to 2 mg O₂ L^?1 showed decreased plasma K⁺ and increased plasma glucose and white muscle lactate. No changes in physiological parameters were observed in bass subjected up to 18 mg O₂ L^?1 hyperoxia. Results from this study suggest that largemouth bass can tolerate a wide range of temperature and oxygen shocks, but temperature decreases of 20 to 8 °C and hypoxia as low as 4 mg O₂ L^?1 should be avoided to minimise physiological perturbations.