Temperature requirements for seed germination and seedling growth of Zostera marina from central Japan

ABSTRACT:   The optimal water temperature in seed germination and the upper critical water temperature in seedling growth were determined for Zostera marina collected from Ise Bay, Japan. The relationship between the seed germination rates and seed storage period (0, 30 and 60 days at 0°C) was also examined. The optimal water temperature for seed germination was in the range from 10 to 15°C regardless of the storage periods, in which germination rates ranged from 35 to 57%. Seedlings grown from seed up to 10 cm in total length were cultured for 1 week under various water temperatures to measure their relative growth rates. The optimal water temperature in growth was in the range from 20 to 25°C; relative growth rates ranged from 2.0 to 2.6%. Seedlings could survive up to a water temperature of 28°C, but most seedlings withered at 29 or 30°C. The optimal water temperatures for seed germination and seedling growth were related to the seasonal changes of water temperature at the sampling site. Although seedlings were rarely observed in the field in summer, they can grow at temperatures as high as 28°C. Therefore, Z. marina may extend its distribution as far as where the summer water temperature is lower than 28°C.     

High water temperature tolerance in photosynthetic activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera japonica</Emphasis> Ascherson &; Graebner seedlings from Ago Bay,Mie Prefecture,central Japan

Photosynthetic activity of Zostera japonica seedlings was measured using a gas volumeter at 0 and 6 days in culture under eight light (0–800 μmol photons/m²/s) and ten water temperature conditions (5–35°C). Seedlings from Ago Bay, Mie Prefecture were cultured in incubators accurately controlled at each test temperature for 1 week. After 1 week, maximum gross photosynthesis (P _maxg) appeared at 29°C and most seedlings cultured at 30–35°C bleached and withered. At the same time, the light compensation point (I _c) increased only at 30°C during the culture period. As a result, the upper critical water temperature for survival was 29°C in Z. japonica seedlings, which agrees well with that for the southern boundary of Z. japonica around Japanese coast. It is necessary to monitor this species around this boundary as a bio-indicator for seawater warming.     

Estimation of light requirement for growth of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera japonica</Emphasis> cultured seedlings based on photosynthetic properties

Photosynthesis and respiration rates were measured on 10 cm tall seedlings of Z. japonica at various temperatures and photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs), and the daily compensation points in each season were estimated with a mathematical model based on photosynthetic properties and diurnal changes in solar irradiances. The seedlings were grown from seeds collected at Tategami-ura, Ago Bay, Mie Prefecture, Japan, and cultured for 1 week under the examined temperatures of 10–25°C. The estimated daily compensation points of Z. japonica ranged from 9.3 to 13.6% of the surface irradiance. The total PPFDs in daytime ranged from 3.8 to 5.3 mol photons m⁻² day⁻¹. The theoretical depth limits were calculated by the Beer-Lambert law concerning the relative light intensities of the sea surface and the extinction coefficient. The estimated lowest limit of Z. japonica agreed well with the lowest depth (7 m) previously reported. Therefore, the mathematical model in this study can be used to estimate the production and critical growing depth of Z. japonica. Differences in light requirements seem to be one of the reasons for the shallower habitats of Z. japonica in comparison with Z. marina.     

High water-temperature tolerance in photosynthetic activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> seedlings from Ise Bay,Mie Prefecture,central Japan

Photosynthetic activities of seedlings of Zostera marina were successively measured using a gas volumeter for 6 days at seven light (0–400 μmol photons/m² per s) and 11 water temperature conditions (5–35°C). The seedlings were collected from mature plants (Ise Bay, central Japan), and stored and cultured in incubators accurately controlled at each test temperature. The maximum gross photosynthesis (P _maxg) was recorded at an optimal water temperature of 29°C after 0 days. After 6 days, P _maxg appeared at 25°C and most plants cultured at 29–30°C bleached and withered after the drastic increase of light compensation point (I _c). On the contrary, at 5–28°C, the photosynthetic activities either changed little (5–25°C) or recovered after a temporal reduction (26–28°C); seedlings survived and looked healthy after being cultured for 6 days. The recovery was thought to be an acclimation to tolerate higher water temperature. As a result, the critical upper water temperature for Z. marina seedlings was proposed as 28°C. The temperature was consistent with the previously reported maximum water temperature in habitats around the southern boundary of Z. marina in the northern hemisphere.     

Attachment and growth of vegetative propagules of Chondria crassicaulis Harvey (Ceramiales,Rhodophyta) under various culture conditions

The red alga Chondria crassicaulis has a wide‐ranging bioactive chemical composition and is used as a local foodstuff, representing a potentially new cultivar in Korea. The cultivation techniques were developed by examining the monthly changes in frond weight in a field population of C. crassicaulis from November 2016 to October 2017. For seedling production, temperature and irradiance effects on the attachment and growth of vegetative propagules of C. crassicaulis were evaluated. In addition, effects of day length and salinity on the propagule growth were examined. C. crassicaulis is a year‐round species with a maximum frond wet weight of 817 mg observed in July 2017, as seawater temperature increases to 20°C. The attachment of vegetative propagules was significantly affected by temperature and irradiance, with maximal values detected at 20–25°C and 60 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1. The relative growth rates of vegetative propagules of C. crassicaulis were the highest at 20–25°C, 60 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1, and a salinity of 25 psu. In conclusion, due to its tremendous tolerance under variable environmental conditions, the vegetative propagules of C. crassicaulis can be used as seedlings for mass cultivation.     

Species‐specific effects of subdaily temperature fluctuations on consumption,growth and stress responses in two physiologically similar fish species

Fluctuations in water temperature can have important physiological consequences for fishes. Effects of daily thermal cycles are well studied and can be beneficial, increasing prey consumption and growth rates when mean and maximum temperatures of the fluctuations are at or below the species’ optimum temperature. While less studied, subdaily temperature fluctuations are also common in many aquatic habitats and can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic processes. We performed laboratory experiments to examine how two fish species (yellow perch, Perca flavescens, and walleye, Sander vitreus) with similar thermal preferences respond to chronic exposure to subdaily temperature variability. We selected temperature treatments that reflected observed thermal variation after examining water temperature data from multiple aquatic systems. We then separately exposed yellow perch and walleye to a stable 23 °C treatment and 12‐h cycles of 23 ± 2 °C or 23 ± 4 °C for 45 days. Adult yellow perch exposed to fluctuations of 23 ± 4 °C over 12 h expressed higher consumption, growth and food conversion efficiency than fish experiencing stable 23 °C. Temperature fluctuations, though, resulted in mortalities and the development of skin ulcers in yellow perch that did not occur under stable temperatures. In contrast, the same 12‐h temperature fluctuations did not result in mortalities or stress responses in juvenile walleye. Moreover, unlike yellow perch, growth rates of walleye were lower under 12‐h temperature fluctuations compared with the stable 23 °C treatment. Our results indicate that species with similar thermal preferences can respond differently to the same subdaily temperature fluctuations.     

Reproductive cycle of the venerid clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meretrix lusoria</Emphasis> in Ariake Sound and Tokyo Bay,Japan

We assessed the reproductive cycle of the venerid clam Meretrix lusoria by histological analysis of the gonads. Individuals for study were collected from natural populations on the Shirakawa tidal flat, Ariake Sound, and from populations that had been transplanted from the Shirakawa flat to the Oi flat in Tokyo Bay. In both study areas, the reproductive cycle was synchronized between sexes. Gonads of the clam started to develop in early spring and matured during the summer. Mass spawning occurred in the late summer/early fall. The clam matured at a shell length of 17–20 mm, which is much smaller than previously considered. While trophic conditions and salinity differed considerably in the two study areas, water temperatures showed similar seasonal changes (12°C during the winter and around 30°C during the summer). Thus, temperature probably controlled gonadal development. The coincidence of the period of spawning with the period of frequent intrusion of hypoxic waters into the tidal flats in Tokyo Bay suggests that such hypoxic events interfere with clam recruitment and are at least partly responsible for the disappearance of the natural population at this location.     

Seasonal hydrography and tidal currents of bays and fjords in Prince William Sound,Alaska

Hydrography and tidal circulation are described for two deep fjords (Whale Bay and Eaglek Bay) and two shallow bays (Simpson Bay and Zaikof Bay) used as nursery habitat by juvenile Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) in Prince William Sound, Alaska from October 1995 to March 1998. The seasonal hydrography varied markedly among the four locations due to the interaction of various factors including local climate, hydrology, advection of allochthonous glacial water, and vertical mixing from winds and tides. The fjords exhibited strong haline stratification in the summer that persisted into winter. In contrast, the bays exhibited brief periods of weak to strong stratification that dissipated early in the autumn. The timing of peak freshwater input also varied among locations depending on the maximum size and elevations of watersheds and the extent of precipitation stored within alpine snow and ice fields. In late winter (March), surface water in the fjords was relatively cold (1–3 °C) and slightly fresh (29–30 psu) in comparison to the bays (3.5–5.5 °C and 31–31.5 psu). The subsurface water (40–80 m) was warmer in the fjords (5–7 °C), whereas the bays exhibited vertically uniform temperature and salinity (T/S) properties. Tidal currents were typically highest near the mouth of most basins (35–150 cm s^?1) and exhibited horizontal and vertical shear in the summer and autumn. During these seasons, these flows created baroclinic currents within most basins, anticyclonic eddies at Simpson and Zaikof bays, and inflow of allochthonous glacial water at Whale Bay. Local climate and watershed hydrology of individual bays have a strong influence on water temperatures and haline stratification, which potentially affect production of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and growth and survival of age‐0 herring. Additionally, variability in transport of Gulf of Alaska derived carbon sources into nursery bays is dependent on geographical location and the physical features of each basin, such as maximum depths, presence or absence of sills, and spatial patterns in the winds and currents.     

Effect of geographic origin, temperature and timing of broodstock collection on conditioning, spawning success and larval viability of Ruditapes decussatus (Linné, 1758)

Culture of Ruditapes decussatus is clearly limited by the availability of seed, as this production proceeds almost exclusively from natural recruitment. Artificial spawning and larval rearing programs could provide an alternative source of spat. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different conditioning temperatures on the broodstock maturation, spawning success and larval viability of two geographically (north and south of the Iberian Peninsula) distinct populations of European clam (R. decussatus) collected at different periods of the year in order to create “optimal” artificial spawning and larval rearing programs. Two batches of clams from each population were collected in October and February, and conditioned at 18 ± 1°C, 20 ± 1°C and 22 ± 1°C. Of the three variables analysed the timing of broodstock collection was the most determining factor for gametogenic development, spawning and larval rearing. Geographic origin and conditioning temperature also greatly affected the spawning. The results also showed that the February conditioning was more effective than October and that the best conditioning temperatures were 20 ± 1°C and 22 ± 1°C for the northern and southern populations, respectively. These results suggest that the efficient conditioning temperature for each population of the same species is related to the seasonal temperature regime from their geographic origin. Larval viability and growth performance seemed to be independent of the broodstock conditioning.     

Effects of temperature on growth,survival and physiological parameters in juveniles of Lophiosilurus alexandri,a carnivorous neotropical catfish

This study aimed to analyse the effects of different water temperatures on the growth, survival and blood physiological parameters of Lophiosilurus alexandri. Juveniles measuring 12.6 ± 0.5 cm and weighing 30.6 ± 3.6 g were subjected to four water temperature regimes: 23, 26, 29 and 32°C with four replicates. The animals were fed twice daily with formulated diet. The experiment lasted for 35 days. Survival was 100% at all water temperatures, and the best temperature for growth was estimated to be 27.8°C using a quadratic regression model. The estimated temperatures for the best feed conversion and highest feed consumption rates were 26.2 and 28.8°C respectively. The fat visceral‐somatic index was highest at 32°C. The highest haemoglobin and haematocrit values were 29.4 and 32.1°C respectively. For plasma protein and cholesterol, the lowest values estimated were 23.9 and 24.1°C respectively. Glucose and liver nitrogen content increased with rising temperature. Higher values of total ammonia in the water were observed at higher temperatures. No effects of temperature were seen on the amounts of muscle dry matter, nitrogen, energy content and triglycerides or on the hepatosomatic index. Water temperature has an important role in the developmental and blood physiological parameters of juvenile L. alexandri, and the quadratic regression model showed that the appropriate temperature for growth is between 27 and 28°C.     

Optimal temperature and photoperiod for the spawning of blue crab,Callinectes sapidus,in captivity

Like all poikilotherms, the growth and reproduction of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus depends on temperature and season. Warmer water temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay allow for ovarian development and spawning, while colder water temperatures slow their metabolism and reproduction. The current study aimed to identify optimal environmental conditions for inducing reproduction in animals held in long‐term captivity for year round production in aquaculture through environmental manipulations. Temperature and photoperiod were the main environmental factors tested for 25 weeks: 11°C and 21°C, with the following photoperiods: 0L:24D, 8L:16D, 16L:8D and 24L:0D. At 21°C, the females increased spawning frequency, which was arrested at 11°C. Shorter light exposure at 21°C increased spawning frequency, while constant light inhibited and did not produce spawning. Constant dark (0L:24D) at 21°C produced the most (86%) spawns, but yielded poor larval quality. At 21°C with all photoperiod conditions except constant light, the first spawning took 94.8 ± 32.4 days to occur (n = 17). With females producing multiple spawns, the intervals between the first and second spawns and the second and third spawns were 37.7 ± 8.7 days (n = 6) and 31.0 ± 7.1 days (n = 2) respectively. Analysis of our data using response surface methodology (RSM) predicts the following conditions: at 15–19°C and 0–10 hr darkness for maximal survival and at 19–22°C and 0–8 hr darkness for spawning. The number of larvae produced was positively correlated with size (weight) of the female C. sapidus, suggesting the importance of female size in reproduction.     

Environmentally conditioned,year‐round volitional spawning of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) in broodstock maturation systems

Year‐round control of the spawning cycle of cobia (Rachycentron canadum) has been established by using water temperature manipulation. To compare the effectiveness of using this method to induce volitional spawning in cobia, two 80 m³ recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) were used. Temperatures in one of the maturation tanks (‘Mat 1’) were maintained between 27 and 29°C for 12 months of the 15.5‐month study period. Temperatures in the second maturation tank (‘Mat 2’) were allowed to fluctuate naturally throughout the year and ranged from 20 to 32°C. A total of 101 spawning events occurred in the tanks between the spring of 2008 and the summer of 2009 (3 April 2008 to 17 June 2009). Of the 38 total spawning events in Mat 1, 17 of them (44.7% of all Mat 1 spawning events) occurred during the off‐season (fall and winter). The egg viability rates did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between on‐ and off‐season spawns in Mat 1. Conversely, cobia broodstock exposed to natural water temperatures (no environmental manipulation) in Mat 2 followed the natural pattern of warm water (>26°C) dependence, limiting egg production to spring and summer seasons. This method of water temperature manipulation allows for effective control of the cobia reproductive cycle without compromising egg viability.     

Stepwise temperature regulation and its effect on growth,feeding and muscle growth patterns of juvenile Atlantic halibut (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippoglossus hippoglossus</Emphasis> L.)

To investigate the possible direct effect of a stepwise reduction in temperature with increasing size on growth, feeding parameters and muscle growth patterns of juvenile Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.), 804 juvenile halibut (mean initial weight individuals: 14.2 g ± 0.2 SEM) were reared at constant 9, 12 and 15°C or shifted (T-step, i.e. 15–12°C after 36 days) for 99 days. Despite indications of lower optimal temperature for growth with increasing size, equal end weights were obtained between the constant 12°C, constant 15°C and T-step groups. Best overall growth was observed for the group kept at constant 12°C. The limited effect of the T-step group may relate to the size at movement (too big), the temperatures investigated (close to optimum) and the time and size interval investigated (too narrow). Differences in growth were reflected more by alterations in feed intake (C _T and F%) than by differences in feed conversion efficiencies (FCE). Differences were found with respect to the density of muscle cells, whereas no differences were found between the average muscle cell diameters. The mean diameter of muscle cells tended to increase only slightly with increasing fish weight, while the mean density of muscle cells tended to decrease. Using an optimum temperature of 12°C, an indication of a possible increased rate of hyperplasia in relation to higher growth was seen.     

Effects of temperature and water calcium concentration on growth,survival and moulting of freshwater crayfish,Paranephrops zealandicus

Two 3-month experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of temperature and water calcium concentrations on growth, survival and moulting of freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops zealandicus). Both experiments were conducted using three replicates of five treatments (water temperatures of 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 °C for Experiment 1 and water calcium concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 30 and 80 mg/L for Experiment 2). Growth rates increased with water temperature (maximum specific growth rate = 0.57) but were unchanged with increased water calcium concentration. Variability in growth rates decreased with increased water calcium concentrations. Survival decreased as water temperatures exceeded 16 °C and increased with water calcium concentrations above 10 mg/L. Inter-moult period decreased from > 90 ± 20 days at water temperatures of 14 °C to ∼ 40 ± 10 days at water temperatures > 20 °C. Moult increment of the crayfish was unaltered by either water temperature or water calcium concentrations. The optimum water temperature for productivity under conditions employed was 16 °C.     

The growth and carbon allocation of abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) of different sizes at different temperatures based on the abalone‐kelp integrated multitrophic aquaculture model

The integration of shellfish and seaweed is an important and successful IMTA model. The IMTA of abalone and kelp has been well‐practiced in Sanggou Bay, China. In the present study, the growth and carbon allocation of abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) of different sizes (S, small; M, medium; L, large) fed kelp (Laminaria japonica) were investigated at different temperatures (10, 14, 18 and 22°C). A two‐way ANOVA showed that both size and temperature significantly affected the specific growth rate (SGR), food consumption (FC), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and apparent digestion rate (ADR) of abalone (p < 0.05), and significant interactions between the two factors were detected (p < 0.05). Curve estimation showed a significant quadratic relationship between SGR and temperature in each size class (p < 0.05). The two‐way ANOVA also showed that both size and temperature significantly affected all the measures of carbon allocation (p < 0.05) except for the carbon lost in metabolism (p > 0.05). All the measures of carbon allocation increased with the increasing temperature. It was concluded that it was better to culture H. discus hannai with a body weight less than 15 g at 20–22°C, and more than 15 g at 15–20°C to achieve good growth. The growth carbon of kelp around the abalone farm should be more than the metabolic carbon expenditure, which means the growth of kelp around the abalone farm should be more than 23.06%–61.91% of food consumption to maintain a carbon sink IMTA system without any carbon release.     

Effects of stocking density,temperature, and salinity on larval survival and growth of the red race of the sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apostichopus japonicus</Emphasis> (Selenka)

The red race of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus was introduced into China from Japan for large-scale seed production because of its economic value. This paper reports the effects of stocking density, temperature, and salinity on survival and growth of early larvae before and after feeding, in order to establish conditions for optimal larval growth and production. To maximize the yield per unit of space, densities of 0.5–1 larvae/ml are recommended for non-feeding larvae, while 0.1–0.2 larvae/ml are best for feeding larvae. Higher survival and growth values were obtained for both non-feeding and feeding larvae at temperature ranges from 21 to 24°C. Larvae reared at a salinity of 30‰ always showed maximum growth and survival. Based on results of this study, a temperature range from 21 to 24°C and a salinity of 30 are considered optimal for early development of the red A. japonicus.     

The effects of cyclical temperature changes on growth and physiological status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis>

The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth and physiological status of Litopenaeus vannamei subjected to one constant temperature (25°C) and four cyclical temperature change regimes (25 ± 1°C, 25 ± 2°C, 25 ± 3°C and 25 ± 4°C). The growth rates of shrimp at 25 ± 2°C or 25 ± 3°C were significantly higher than that at a constant temperature of 25°C. On the other hand, the growth rate in 25 ± 4°C regime was significantly lower than those in other regimes. The daily feed intake rate of shrimp at 25 ± 4°C was the lowest, and the food conversion efficiency was also significantly lower than those at 25 ± 2°C and 25 ± 3°C, respectively. The food conversion efficiency at 25 ± 2°C or 25 ± 3°C was significantly higher than those in other regimes. Thus, it can be inferred that the growth enhancement in the test shrimp at the suitable diel fluctuating temperatures was due to high food conversion efficiency. Studies of the physiological parameters showed that at 25 ± 4°C, the hemolymph glucose content of the test shrimp was the lowest, while the activity of PK in hepatopancreas was the highest, which indicated that the test shrimp at 25 ± 4°C was in a stressed condition. The hemolymph glucose content of the test shrimp at 25 ± 3°C was the highest, and the activity of HK in hepatopancreas was the lowest. These results indicated that the test shrimps at 25 ± 3°C were not in a stressed condition. Compared with the constant temperature regime, the expression of HSP70 in any of the four cyclical temperature change regimes was not significantly increased. The reason for this might be that the fluctuation amplitude of ± 4°C did not induce the increased expression of HSP70.     

Exploring the temperature optima and growth rates of Atlantic cod at the south‐easterly limit of its range

Four size groups of juvenile farmed Celtic Sea cod (2.7–41.8 g) were reared at a range of constant temperatures (8–19°C). The optimum temperature for growth (T_opt.G) decreased from 15.1°C for ~3 g fish to 12.5°C for ~42 g fish. A comparison of these results with those published for a more northerly population (Icelandic) suggests that there is no significant difference in the optimal temperature for growth of cod stocks within the size range studied. In contrast, the growth rates of Celtic Sea cod were lower than those derived from these established models (for a northerly stock) for small juveniles (<5 g), but similar for larger fish (>40 g). Thus, while T_opt.G appears fixed across the range, there may be high plasticity in local growth performance throughout the Holarctic distribution. Some possible explanations for these differences are considered.     

Effect of temperature decrease on oocyte development,sex steroids,and gonadotropin β-subunit mRNA expression levels in female Japanese eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis>

To improve understanding of the mechanism of early ovarian development in eels, the effects of water temperature decrease on oocyte development, plasma levels of sex steroids [estradiol 17β (E2), testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT)], and gonadotropin β-subunit [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHβ), luteinizing hormone (LHβ)] messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were investigated. A total of 27 female Japanese eels Anguilla japonica were divided into initial, control, and test (water temperature decrease) groups. Starting on 22 September 2009, eels in the test group were reared in a tank with gradual temperature decrease from 25°C to 15°C over 39 days, while the control group was maintained at 25°C. The test group accumulated more oil droplets in their oocytes than did the other groups. Levels of sex steroids, especially 11-KT, were higher in the test group. In contrast, FSHβ and LHβ mRNA expression levels were lower in the test group. These results suggest that water temperature decrease only induced an early stage of ovarian development that was partly affected by an 11-KT increase. For further maturation, other environmental factors related to induction of gonadotropin increase appear to be needed.