红螯光壳螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)酚氧化酶原基因的克隆与表达分析

为深入了解红螯光壳螯虾酚氧化酶原(proPO)基因的非特异性免疫机制,利用RACE技术从红螯光壳螯虾血细胞中克隆到酚氧化酶原基因cqproPO,cqproPO基因cDNA全长为2 962 bp,开放阅读框为1 998 bp,编码665个氨基酸,其结构中含有两个铜离子结合位点,预测分子量为75.86 ku;同源性比对结果显示,红螯光壳螯虾CqproPO与克氏原螯虾酚氧化酶原的同源性最高为79％,其次是淡水螯虾74％、挪威龙虾69％、美国龙虾67％等;进化分析发现CqproPO与克氏原鳌虾、淡水螯虾、挪威龙虾、美国龙虾等的酚氧化酶原亲缘关系最近;Realtime-PCR实验结果表明,CqproPO在血细胞中表达水平最高,其次是肠、触角腺、鳃等;在肝胰腺中有适量表达;WSSV感染后红螯光壳螯虾CqproPO mRNA在血细胞、肝胰腺和鳃组织中具有不同的时空表达趋势,但感染组和免疫后感染组mRNA表达量分别在感染后12h和24 h达到最大值,且在3种组织中2个感染组的CqproPO表达量为对照组的1.3 ～2.55倍,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),之后cqproPO基因的转录水平明显下降.免疫后再受病毒感染的虾,CqproPO mRNA的表达量在3种组织中总体高于感染组,感染7d后的免疫保护率达到51.86％,表明免疫增强剂可使机体的抗病毒能力增强,对防御WSSV感染具有一定的免疫保护作用.     

饲料中大豆磷脂对红螯光壳螯虾性腺发育期营养物质积累的影响

基础饲料中添加5种不同水平的大豆磷脂(SL):0%(Diet 1),1%(Diet 2),2%(Diet 3),4%(Diet 4)和6%(Diet 5)。饲喂初始体质量为(25.64±1.53)g的红螯光壳螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)雌虾8周,观察其卵巢发育期个体生长、性腺指数等参数的变化,分析卵巢和肝胰腺营养物质积累的快慢以及与营养物质积累相关基因脂肪酸结合蛋白(FABP)mRNA表达的差异。结果表明:饲料中不同水平的SL对卵巢发育期红螯光壳螯虾的成活率和相对增重率(WG)影响不显著(P>0.05),但饲喂≥2%(SL)饲料的雌虾性腺指数(GSI)显著升高(P<0.05),雌虾的肝胰腺指数(HSI)则随饲料中SL的增加而呈下降趋势(P>0.05);随着饲料中SL的增加,虾肝胰腺中脂滴的体积增大,数量增多,结构更加完整,质地更加均匀,卵巢中脂滴和卵黄颗粒的数量增多,体积增大;同时,饲料中SL的增加促进了FABP在肝胰腺和卵巢中的表达量。综上所述,饲料中的SL对红螯光壳螯虾雌虾卵巢发育具有促进作用,在培育红螯光壳螯虾雌虾亲体过程中,含6.5%鱼油的基础饲料至少补充2%的SL有利于雌虾卵巢的快速发育。本研究旨在为深入研究虾蟹生殖生理学和规模化红螯光壳螯虾早繁苗种生产等提供基础资料。     

红螯螯虾冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的克隆及表达分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE技术,从红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)血细胞中分离到冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的cDNA序列。结果显示,冷休克蛋白Y-box编码基因的长度为1 733 bp,其中包括82 bp的5'非翻译区、676 bp的3'非翻译区和975 bp的编码序列,可编码324个氨基酸。理论相对分子质量和等电点分别为35 800和9.81。结构域分析和序列比对显示,红螯螯虾冷休克Y-box蛋白由3部分组成:富含丙氨酸或脯氨酸区域、冷休克结构域和带电荷区域,其中冷休克结构域高度保守。系统进化树分析表明,红螯螯虾冷休克Y-box蛋白与水蚤等节肢动物冷休克Y-box蛋白聚类,且三级结构非常相似。最适温度养殖条件下,冷休克蛋白Y-box的虾组织分布特异性研究表明,红螯螯虾神经组织的冷休克蛋白Y-box转录活性最强,而后依次为肝脏、血淋巴和鳃,在肠和心脏中也有活性,在肌肉组织中转录保持较低水平,揭示神经组织是重要的冷休克Y-box蛋白表达区。     

中华绒螯蟹细胞色素CYP2基因的克隆与表达分析

为研究细胞色素CYP2基因在中华绒螯蟹蜕皮及生长发育中的作用,本试验通过逆转录聚合酶链式RT-PCR反应以及cDNA末端快速扩增RACE技术获得了中华绒螯蟹CYP2基因cDNA全长。用实时荧光定量PCR技术,分析该基因在中华绒螯蟹蜕皮过程中各组织的相对表达量。试验结果显示,中华绒螯蟹CYP2的cDNA全长1772bp,编码491个氨基酸序列,包括一个84bp的5′端非编码区,一个212bp的3′端非编码区、一个1475bp的开放阅读框,经BLAST比对,该核苷酸序列与岸蟹、三疣梭子蟹的相似性分别为66%、64%。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,中华绒螯蟹蜕皮前,CYP2基因在鳃中的表达量相对最高;在肝胰脏、肌肉中表达量略低于鳃;在Y器官、眼柄、胸神经节、脑神经节、肠中少量表达;在心和胃中表达量最低。中华绒螯蟹在不同的蜕皮时期中,通过荧光定量试验得出,肝胰脏中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮前期和蜕皮期最高;眼柄中CYP2基因表达量从蜕皮期到蜕皮后期有上升趋势;鳃中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮前期最高;Y器官、脑神经节和肠中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮期最高;肌肉中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮前期最高;胸神经节和胃中CYP2基因表达量在蜕皮后期最高;Y器官中CYP2基因在蜕皮前期表达量高于蜕皮后期和蜕皮期。以上试验结果表明,CYP2对中华绒螯蟹蜕皮生长中的调控可能起到重要作用。     

氨氮急性胁迫及其毒后恢复对红螯光壳螯虾幼虾相关免疫和代谢指标的影响

应用实时荧光定量PCR技术,结合生物酶和代谢产物测定,研究了氨氮急性胁迫对红螯光壳螯虾幼虾代谢及免疫系统的毒性影响及其毒后恢复情况。实验首先进行3 d的氨氮胁迫,取样后剩余虾移入曝气自来水进行7 d的毒后恢复实验。结果表明,3 d氨氮胁迫后,肌肉ACP、AKP、SOD活性表达均受到显著影响,随着氨氮浓度的升高酶活性分别降低,最高浓度组(16 mg/L)降低为对照组的76%、68%和62%。线粒体MnSOD、胞外Cu/ZnSOD的mRNA表达量也随着氨氮浓度增加而下降,最高浓度组降低至对照组的69%和68%。CAT、GPX活性以及GPX和GST的mRNA表达量变化不显著。肝胰腺中可溶性蛋白和甘油三酯含量随着氨氮浓度升高而降低,最高浓度组分别降低至对照组的72%和59%,AST活性在12 mg/L浓度组显著升高至对照组的134%。7 d恢复期过后,ACP和AKP活性以及各代谢指标恢复到正常水平;而SOD和GPX活性高于对照组。各抗氧化基因的表达量都不同程度高于对照组。实验表明,高浓度氨氮胁迫能抑制部分免疫相关酶的活性及基因表达,对免疫系统造成损害。氨氮胁迫下,红螯光壳螯虾动员蛋白质和脂肪来供能应对胁迫。7 d的恢复时间不足以让红螯光壳螯虾从胁迫中完全恢复,其肌肉仍处于轻度氧化应激状态。     

中华绒螯蟹ELOVL6 cDNA全长克隆及其表达分析

为了探究中华绒螯蟹自身脂肪酸合成能力,采用RACE技术,克隆获得中华绒螯蟹ELOVL6 c DNA序列全长(Gen Bank accession:KT779219)。该序列全长2247 bp,包括235、873和1139 bp的5'非编码区(5'-UTR)、开放阅读框(ORF)和3'非编码区(3'-UTR),编码290个氨基酸(AA),具有ELOVL家族的全部特征:6个跨膜区、高度保守的组氨酸簇HXXHH、多个保守区以及内质网滞留信号KXKXX。分析发育树表明,ELOVL2与ELOVL5聚为一支,ELOVL6聚为另一支,其中中华绒螯蟹ELOVL6与其他节肢动物ELOVL6聚为一支,与凡纳滨对虾聚为一小支。采用异源表达方法研究ELOVL6编码的蛋白质对脂肪酸的作用,GC-MS结果显示,转基因的酵母培养物C16:0和C16:1n-7含量下降,而C18:0和C18:1n-9的含量升高,同时有新产物C18:1n-7产生。通过荧光定量PCR(q PCR)技术研究ELOVL6基因在中华绒螯蟹不同组织及不同脂肪源喂养下的表达情况,显示该基因在肠道、胃、心脏、肝胰腺、胸神经节、肌肉、眼柄、鳃和脑神经节9个组织均有表达,其中在肝胰腺中表达量最高,显著高于其他组织;在不同脂肪源饲喂的结果中,肝胰腺、肌肉、卵巢和精巢4个组织中均有表达,并且各组织在全鱼油组饲喂下表达量最低,其中用全豆油组饲喂后,肝胰腺中的表达情况显著升高,明显高于全鱼油组和鱼油豆油混合组。以上结果综合表明,中华绒螯蟹中ELOVL6能够催化C16的饱和及C16的单不饱和脂肪酸延长,同时受到饲料中不同脂肪源的一定影响,这为探究中华绒螯蟹PUFA合成途径及脂肪酸调控机制提供了依据。     

克氏原螯虾自噬相关基因PcAtg2的克隆及其在白斑综合征病毒胁迫下的表达分析

为了解自噬相关基因Atg2在克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkia)先天免疫中的作用,本研究克隆了克氏原螯虾Atg2 (PcAtg2)基因全长序列。生物信息学分析显示,PcAtg2蛋白编码序列全长为9 966 bp,推测其编码2 189个氨基酸。组织定量表达分布显示,PcAtg2在克氏原螯虾的各个组织中均有表达,其中在肝胰腺中表达最高,在眼柄中表达最低。在白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染实验中,PcAtg2基因表达量在不同组织中均呈现显著上调趋势。RNA干扰(RNAi)实验显示,PcAtg2基因沉默后,WSSV在克氏原螯虾体内的增殖明显被抑制,同时,自噬相关基因的表达量上调。透射电镜分析结果显示,在WSSV感染后,PcAtg2基因沉默组中克氏原螯虾肝胰腺组织中的自噬小体多于对照组。本研究结果可为了解克氏原螯虾应对WSSV胁迫下的调控机制提供理论参考。     

维生素C对克氏原螯虾肝胰腺非特异性免疫的影响

为探究维生素C作为饲料添加剂短期投喂克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)对其肝胰腺非特异性免疫的影响,并寻找出最适的添加量,将规格相同(27 g±3 g)、健康无伤的克氏原螯虾暂养7 d后分5组,对照组投喂基础饲料,4个试验组投喂的饲料为在基础饲料中添加维生素C(添加量分别:0.1、0.2、0.4、0.8 g/kg)。投喂5 d后,取试验虾肝胰腺进行免疫相关酶活指标的测定,结果显示:添加0.2 g/kg的维生素C可以显著提升克氏原螯虾肝胰腺中SOD、CAT、T-AOC等抗氧化酶的活性,对于免疫酶ACP、AKP的活力依然有显著提升作用。并且对于肝胰腺中MDA的含量有降低作用(P<0.05)。0.4 g/kg添加组,能够显著提升肝胰腺中CAT活力,并且显著降低MDA含量(P<0.05)。由此可以得出在饲料中添加0.2~0.4 g/kg维生素C可以在一定程度上提升克氏原螯虾肝胰腺的非特异性免疫。     

中华绒螯蟹类浮舰蛋白基因Esflol的克隆和组织表达分析

甲壳动物高血糖激素家族目前仅被发现存在于节肢动物中,在血糖水平调节、蜕皮、应激反应等多种生理代谢活动中发挥着重要的作用。为了解这个家族中的重要一员--甲壳动物高血糖激素(crustacean hyperglycemic hormone, CHH)如何调节河蟹体内的血糖水平,我们前期进行了转录组和表达谱分析,最终选取Esflol(Eriocheir sinensis flotillin-1 like,Esflol)作为我们的研究对象。根据转录组数据提示,结合RACE方法首次从中华绒螯蟹肝胰腺组织中克隆得到Esflol基因并进行了序列及组织表达分析。结果显示Esflol基因开放阅读框(ORF)1281bp,编码426个氨基酸,具有典型的SPFH超家族和PHB结构域,不含信号肽序列。多重序列比对分析表明,Esflol氨基酸序列与中华绒螯蟹flotillin-1相似度最高,达到57%。荧光定量PCR结果显示成熟中华绒螯蟹Esflol基因在肝胰腺组织中的表达量最高,其次为肌肉,另外在心,鳃,肠,胸神经节和胃中均有一定量表达,在脑中表达量较低。上述实验结果为下一步继续研究中华绒螯蟹糖代谢的生理机制奠定了基础,也为其他养殖类甲壳动物糖类代谢的研究提供了重要参考。     

眼柄摘除对红螯光壳螯虾生长、性腺发育及体色的影响

为探究眼柄摘除对红螯光壳螯虾(Cherax quadriarinatus)生长、性腺发育及体色的影响,对6月龄红螯光壳螯虾[体质量(47.47±3.48)g]进行了摘除眼柄处理实验。结果显示,4周后摘除双侧眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾体质量为(84.40±13.41)g,显著高于不摘除眼柄组[(49.63±6.47)g]和摘除单侧眼柄组[(51.47±4.08)g](P<0.05);摘除双侧眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾存活率为60.0%±4.8%,显著低于不摘除眼柄组和摘除单侧眼柄组(分别为94.4%±2.3%和97.2%±2.1%);摘除双侧眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾性腺指数为1.23±0.50,显著高于不摘除眼柄组(0.20±0.06)和摘除单侧眼柄组(0.35±0.08)。利用ImageJ软件对红螯光壳螯虾体色RGB值分析表明,摘除双眼柄组红螯光壳螯虾体色G值和B值(分别为99.26±5.23和98.40±3.58)显著高于摘除单侧眼柄组(59.02±3.85和44.07±4.57)(P<0.05)。结果表明,眼柄摘除能促进红螯光壳螯虾生长和性腺发育,影响体色变化。     

亚硝酸盐对红螯光壳螯虾不同组织免疫相关酶活性及超微结构的影响

应用透射电镜技术,结合生物酶测定,研究了水体中不同浓度亚硝酸盐胁迫下红螯光壳螯虾肝胰腺、鳃和肌肉组织中免疫相关酶的活性变化,以及对肝胰腺和鳃的形态学影响。结果显示,与对照组相比,亚硝酸盐胁迫下,3种组织的ACP、AKP、SOD以及GSH-PX的活性都显著降低(P<0.05);随着亚硝酸盐浓度增加,酶活力呈现降低的趋势;鳃组织Na+,K+-ATPase和Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase的活性也显示出随亚硝酸盐浓度升高而降低的趋势。超微结构显示,随着亚硝酸盐浓度增加,鳃角质层受损、断裂;上皮细胞排列疏松、空泡化;细胞器变形;鳃腔内也出现空泡化现象,血细胞变形。肝胰腺上皮细胞排列杂乱无章,细胞裂解,空泡化;微绒毛受损、断裂,肝小管间距扩大、结缔组织变得稀薄,血细胞变形;高浓度组R细胞的脂滴减少,核膜解体,细胞膜破裂,空泡化加剧;F细胞的核糖体减少,空泡化加剧,内质网水肿。研究说明亚硝酸盐对红螯光壳螯虾3种组织的免疫相关酶活产生影响,并损伤肝胰腺和鳃的形态学结构,影响其生物学功能。     

克氏原螯虾PcCyc基因克隆及其对光周期的表达响应

利用cDNA末端快速扩增技术克隆克氏原螯虾生物钟核心基因之一的周期循环蛋白(CYC)基因(命名为PcCyc基因)的部分cDNA序列。取雄性克氏原螯虾(体长9~11 cm)在全光谱日光灯不同光周期下(12L∶12D、0L∶24D和0L∶72D)培养结束后,于7:00、11:00、15:00、19:00、23:00、翌日03:00、7:00取样,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测PcCyc基因在脑、眼柄和肝胰腺中的mRNA表达水平。试验结果显示,PcCyc基因完整的开放阅读框共2010个碱基,可编码669个氨基酸。氨基酸序列与红螯螯虾CYC蛋白相似性为94%;蛋白分子量约73.963 ku,理论等电点6.56,为疏水性非分泌蛋白,无信号肽;结构域分析结果显示,PcCYC蛋白含有BHLH/PAS结构域,包括1个HLH结构域和2个PAS结构域;二级结构包含11个α-螺旋、12个β-折叠和24个无规则卷曲。不论光照如何改变,PcCyc基因在眼柄和肝胰腺中都基本遵循着24 h的节律振荡,而在大脑中的节律振荡随光照周期改变被打破。试验结果将为进一步探究克氏原螯虾Cyc基因在其昼夜生物钟节律中发挥的作用及机制奠定基础。     

Evaluation of practical diets containing different protein levels on gonad development of female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

The effect of five experimental diets with different crude protein content (220, 270, 330, 390 and 450 g kg⁻¹) on gonad development of female Cherax quadricarinatus was tested under laboratory conditions. After 70 days, a significant linear relationship indicated that higher concentrations of protein and carbohydrates in the hepatopancreas were produced as the dietary crude protein increased ( P  < 0.05). There were significant responses of the gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, biochemical composition of the gonad (protein, lipids, carbohydrates and energy) and frequency of secondary vitellogenic oocytes to dietary protein level, as indicated by significant fits of the quadratic equation to the observed experimental data. The optimal response of the criteria parameters corresponded to levels of crude protein in the range 284–355 g kg⁻¹. Overall, 330 g kg⁻¹ crude protein with a protein : energy ratio of 15.6 mg kJ^–1 was considered the most adequate concentration of dietary protein for gonad development and biochemical composition in female redclaw crayfish.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels on gonadal development of female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

The effect of two crude dietary protein (26% and 32% P) and two lipid levels (4.7% and 12% L) on gonadal development of female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus was determined. The gonadosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), biochemical composition of gonad and hepatopancreas, oocyte diameter and frequency of the developmental stage of oocytes were analysed. The GSI was significantly less using 26% P to 4.7% L. A significant interaction between P and L content was found for GSI. A significantly higher HSI value was obtained when L was 12%. P content in the hepatopancreas was significantly higher using 32% P and 4.7% L. The maximum L content in the hepatopancreas was obtained from the 32% P and 12% L diet. A significant interaction between P and L content was found for L content in the hepatopancreas. A higher frequency of post‐vitellogenic oocytes was obtained with diets containing 32% P. There was an interaction between dietary P and L level causing lipid accumulation in the hepatopancreas and changes in GSI. For an optimum 32% P, excess dietary lipid is bioaccumulated in the hepatopancreas, indicating that there is excess available energy. When the P and L levels are restricted, there is a limited gonad development, thus affecting overall reproduction in female C. quadricarinatus.     

不同生长时期红螯螯虾肌肉和肝胰腺内氨基酸和脂肪酸变化分析

为了研究不同生长时期红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)肌肉和肝胰腺内脂肪酸和氨基酸的动态变化,选取90 d (第二性征未发育)、140 d (第二性征发育成熟)和180 d (性腺发育成熟)的红螯螯虾,分别测定其肌肉和肝胰腺内氨基酸和脂肪酸的含量。结果显示,90 d红螯螯虾肌肉中的必需氨基酸总量显著高于其他2个时期(P<0.05);而红螯螯虾肝胰腺内必需氨基酸总量和非必需氨基酸总量均随着日龄增加而逐渐下降。比较不同生长时期肌肉中脂肪酸含量发现,随着日龄增长,饱和脂肪酸(SFA)含量呈下降趋势;而单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)含量呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,140 d含量最高[(25.69±0.42)%];多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)含量呈上升的变化趋势。肝胰腺中SFA含量在 3个生长时期内无显著性差异(P>0.05),MUFA含量呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,140 d含量最高[(37.44±0.59)%],而PUFA含量变化与MUFA正好相反。营养价值评估结果显示,180 d (可上市销售)的红螯螯虾肌肉内必需氨基酸指数(49.96%)高于联合国粮农组织/世界卫生组织(FAO/WHO)评分模式(31.50%)和全鸡蛋蛋白质模式(43.10%),是较为理想的优质食物蛋白源。由上可知,在不同生长时期,肌肉和肝胰腺中的氨基酸、脂肪酸的主要消耗不同,研究结果对了解不同生长时期红螯螯虾营养需求、开发红螯螯虾配合饲料提供了参考依据。     

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on gonadal development and vitellogenin mRNA expression in the female redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens) at first maturation

The effect of increasing levels of dietary de‐oiled soybean lecithin (SL) on the ovarian development of female redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, was investigated. Five practical formulated diets were supplemented with 0% (Diet 1), 1% (Diet 2), 2% (Diet 3), 4% (Diet 4) and 6% (Diet 5) SL. Crayfish (initial weight: 25.64 ± 1.53 g) were fed each diet in four replicates for 8 weeks. Crayfish that were fed diets containing ≥2% SL had a significantly higher gonadosomatic index than those fed with Diets 1 and 2 (P < 0.05), while hepatosomatic index showed a decreasing trend (P > 0.05). The fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas is largely due to the dietary composition. Higher dietary SL yielded a higher percentage of ovarian polyunsaturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the higher content of linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid in diets may be more important for ovarian development in C. quadricarinatus, as these originate from the hepatopancreas. The hepatopancreatic vitellogenin mRNA expression was the highest in crayfish that received Diet 3. Our results suggest that dietary SL has a positive effect on ovarian development in C. quadricarinatus broodstock, and at least 2% SL should be supplemented in broodstock diets to enhance ovarian maturation during aquaculture.     

Histopathological survey of diseases and pathogens present in redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (Von Martens), cultured in Ecuador

A histopathological survey of commercial farms in Ecuador culturing redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (Von Martens), revealed the presence of different viral, bacterial and non‐infectious pathologies. A total of 536 animals from 27 different farms were analysed during a 3‐year period; 25, 154 and 357 specimens in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. From the total sampled, a virus referred to as Cherax quadricarinatus bacilliform virus (CqBV) had a prevalence of 44% in animals examined during 1996 and 33% in 1997. A rickettsia‐like organism (RLO) was detected in five specimens sampled from three different farms in 1995. This RLO was detected in 36 and 12% of samples analysed in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and was the infectious agent most frequently associated with mortalities above 60%. Co‐infection by CqBV and the RLO was observed in 18 and 3% of the crayfish examined in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Five specimens out of 25 examined presented no sign of an infectious agent during 1995. The proportion of specimens testing negative by histopathology to known or suspected infectious agents was 25 and 32% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Although different infectious agents were present in cultured crayfish, farms in general had overall survivals higher than 50% in most ponds. Other conditions observed included an intracellular prokaryotic organism, iron granules in the R and F cells of the hepatopancreas, different species of epibionts on the surface of the gills and body, and two cases of haemocytic enteritis. Two cases of serious mortality in different farms were associated with the presence of Cowdry type A inclusions, pyknosis, karyorrhexis and haemocytic infiltration in the stomach hypodermis and the antennal gland.     

A review of nutritional biology and dietary requirements of redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens 1868)

Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus, von Martens 1868) is a freshwater decapod crustacean with a number of biological and commercial attributes that make it an excellent aquaculture species. The redclaw aquaculture industry has been growing rapidly since the mid‐1980s in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Redclaw aquaculture is mostly in extensive pond systems, but interest in developing more intensive systems is increasing. To support continued intensification, development of high‐quality practical diet formulations and information about redclaw nutrition requirements are necessary. A number of studies have determined optimum dietary protein and lipid requirements for juvenile redclaw. However, there is limited information on essential amino acid and fatty acid requirements. Several studies report the presence of various digestive enzymes that have been linked to the ability of the species to digest a wide range of dietary components. Furthermore, as in many other aquaculture species, there is a need to replace fishmeal with other protein sources. A number of studies explored the possibility of replacing fish meal with various terrestrial plant sources of protein and lipids and showed that redclaw can be offered diets containing low‐cost, plant‐based ingredients without compromising survival, growth and, to a certain extent, reproduction. Formulated diets containing less expensive, plant ‐ based ingredients will contribute to a more profitable and environmentally sustainable redclaw aquaculture industry. Finally, there is also a paucity of information on vitamin and mineral requirements of redclaw and little information on nutrient requirements of broodstock. For the redclaw aquaculture industry to thrive, we need to have a better understanding of nutrient requirements at all life stages.