Comparison of harvested rate and nacre deposition parameters between cultured pearls issued from initial graft and second nucleus insertion in P. margaritifera

Cultured pearls produced with Pinctada margaritifera, using the surgreffe method (implantation of a second nucleus following pearl harvest) were studied for the first time to: (1) examine family effect on nacre thickness, nacre weight and nacre deposition speed and (2) compare variation in these three traits with that obtained from the cultured pearls previously harvested after the corresponding initial grafts. A surgreffe experiment using 783 recipient oysters was realized in Rangiroa atoll (French Polynesia). After 24 months of culture, 389 cultured pearls were harvested. Significant donor family effect was found for the harvested pearl rate from surgreffe (P = 0.046). Highly significant donor family effect was recorded for nacre thickness (P = 0.004). Very highly significant donor family effects were recorded for nacre weight and nacre deposition speed (P < 0.0001). Comparison between surgreffe and initial graft showed: (1) no significant effect for the average cultured pearl rate harvested (P = 0.052) and average cultured pearl nacre deposition speed (P = 0.622) and (2) very highly significant differences (P < 0.0001) for the average cultured pearl nacre thickness and nacre weight. This study highlighted three major implications for pearl industry management: (1) donor family effect was maintained from initial graft to surgreffe, for nacre thickness, weight and deposition speed, (2) the persistence of the pearl sac metabolic activity over three years of culture and (3) the relation between harvested pearl rate and the size of the nucleus inserted in the pearl sac.     

三角帆蚌生长性状和内壳色与所产无核珍珠质量的相关性分析

为了研究供片蚌和育珠蚌对无核珍珠质量的影响,以三角帆蚌紫色选育系F₅为材料,在插植无核珍珠前,测量了供片蚌和育珠蚌的壳长、壳高、壳宽、体质量等生长性状,检测了供片蚌内壳色颜色参数L、a、b、dE。经过18个月育珠,测量了育珠蚌的壳长、壳高、壳宽、体质量,计算其特定生长率,检测了育珠蚌内壳色颜色参数L、a、b、dE,测量了育珠蚌所产无核珍珠的颜色、大小、圆度、光泽和产珠量。结果发现,供片蚌生长性状与所产无核珍珠大小、圆度和产珠量相关性不显著(P>0.05)。供片蚌内壳色与无核珍珠颜色相关性极显著(r=-0.400~0.376,P<0.01),供片蚌dE值越大所产紫色珍珠比例越高、dE值越小所产白色珍珠比例越高。育珠蚌特定生长率与所产无核珍珠大小、光泽和产珠量相关性极显著(r=0.237~0.516,P<0.01),相关程度为体重> 壳长> 壳宽> 壳高,育珠蚌特定生长率与所产无核珍珠圆度相关性极显著(r=-0.284~-0.256,P<0.01),相关程度为壳长>体质量>壳宽>壳高。育珠蚌内壳色与所产无核珍珠颜色、大小、圆度、光泽和产珠量相关性不显著(P>0.05)。综合各性状相关性分析,改良供片蚌内壳色可以改良珍珠颜色,改良育珠蚌的生长性状可以改良珍珠大小、光泽、圆度和产珠量。     

Contribution of donor and host oysters to the cultured pearl colour in Pinctada martensii

Cultured free round pearls are produced by implanting a spherical nucleus with a small piece of nacre‐secreting mantle graft from a donor oyster into the gonad of a recipient oyster (host). To examine the possible contribution of host and donor oysters to the colouration of the harvested pearls, the CSE‐1 Imaging and Color‐Measuring System were used to quantitatively measure the L*a*b* values of donor and host shells and the produced pearls in Pinctada martensii. Results showed that the colour of pearls had significant positive correlation (r = 0.1–0.22, P = 0.00) with that of donors, but had no correlation with that of host oysters, thus convincingly confirmed the contribution of nacre colour of donor to the realization of pearl quality of colour. To further clarify the relationship between the donor and the pearl colour, the donors from pearls of good and poor colour quality were further compared and the results demonstrated the significant difference in L* values (P < 0.05) and insignificant difference in a* and b* values, suggesting the necessity of selecting donors with bright and lustrous nacre in pearl production.     

插片后珍珠蚌生长性状及其无核珍珠成珠率和大小

为了筛选优质的珍珠蚌插片组合，探究不同种类珍珠蚌相互插片后生长性状间的差异和相关性，以及各组合无核珍珠成珠率和大小的差异，利用三角帆蚌(S)、池蝶蚌(C)和褶纹冠蚌(Z)分别作为供片蚌和育珠蚌，获得9个育珠蚌组合，测量各育珠组合的体质量、壳长、壳高和壳宽，比较9个育珠蚌组合及3个未插片的三角帆蚌、池蝶蚌和褶纹冠蚌对照组在1年后生长性状的差异，对各生长性状相关性进行分析。测量每个育珠蚌所产无核珍珠的数量和大小，计算成珠率和圆度，分析不同组合之间无核珍珠的差异。结果显示，无核育珠手术影响珍珠蚌的生长性能，以三角帆蚌和池蝶蚌为育珠蚌的组合生长性状均优于对照组，S-S育珠组合在以三角帆蚌为育珠蚌组合内生长最优，S-C和C-C育珠组合在以池蝶蚌为育珠蚌组合中生长最优，而以褶纹冠蚌为育珠蚌的组合插片后生长性状指标均小于对照组。其中除了池蝶蚌同种插片组合(C-C育珠组合)外，其余各育珠组合壳长与体质量间相关系数均高于其他生长性状间相关系数，C-C育珠组合壳宽与体质量相关系数最大；三角帆蚌和池蝶蚌之间的插片组合（S-S、C-S、S-C和C-C育珠组合）及褶纹冠蚌同种插片组合（Z-Z育珠组合）成珠率较高(91.67%~100%)。S-S、S-C和C-C育珠组合所育珍珠较圆但珍珠大小在各育珠组合内处于中等。研究表明，无核育珠手术改变珍珠蚌的生长性能，不同育珠组合生长性能存在差异，S-S、S-C和C-C育珠组合插片后生长性能较好，成珠率高，珍珠较圆但珍珠大小在各育珠组合中处于中等，该结果为探索不同珍珠蚌生长性状差异和相关性及其所产无核珍珠成珠率、大小的比较提供重要依据。     

Phenotypic indicators for cultured pearl size improvement in the black‐lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera): towards selection for the recipient growth performance

The black‐lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, is the most important farmed species in French Polynesia and the basis of the most valuable export industry. Mass production of black pearls relies on a surgical operation requiring tissue from a donor pearl oyster to be grafted, together with a nucleus made of shell, into the gonad of a recipient oyster. Improving pearl size through family selection remains one of the main challenges for future aquaculture development. This study analyses the relative contribution of donor and recipient oysters to pearl size. To this end, hatchery‐produced donor oysters of two batches, large and small (based on shell height), were used to supply grafts for recipients, which were then monitored individually for their growth performance by recording shell height, width, and thickness, and total live weight (flesh + shells) every 6 months (four biometric measurement times) over 20 months of culture. Pearls issued from the two batches of donors showed no significant differences in nacre weight or thickness. In contrast, recipient oyster shell height and total weight were increasingly positively correlated with these pearl size parameters over the culture period, becoming significant at 8 months post‐grafting. Potential therefore exists to use shell height and oyster weight as phenotypic indicators for selective breeding of recipient oysters with high growth performance to increase pearl size in P. margaritifera.     

How cultured pearls acquire their colour

Round nucleated pearls are produced through a surgical operation, where a round nucleus and a mantle tissue ‘saibo’ from donor oyster are inserted into the gonad of the host oyster. The epithelial cells in the mantle tissue proliferate around the nucleus, and thus, the pearl sac is formed. Pearl sac secrets nacre and forms a pearl. The quality and economic value of pearls are assessed by pearl features such as colour, brightness, lustre and shape. Among all these features, colour has been reported as an important economic indicator and has been widely studied by researchers. Generally, pearl colour is affected by the donor oyster which is determined genetically and biological pigments (melanin and carotenoid). Organic matrices, metal ions and other factors have also been reported to influence the colour of a cultured pearl. Recently, multi‐omics methods have been used to study the colour formation of pearl, and some key genes and signal pathways related to the colour formation of pearls have been identified. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism of pearl formation needs further research. The review combines both fresh and sea water pearls focusing on Hyriopsis cumingii and pearl oysters to provide a general overview and understanding for pearl colour formation.     

Comparative analysis of total carotenoid content in tissues of purple and white inner-shell color pearl mussel,Hyriopsis cumingii

The freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis cumingii is the most important mussel species for freshwater pearl production in China. Mussel shell color is an important indicator of pearl quality. The objective of this study was to assess whether total carotenoid content (TCC) in H. cumingii is related to shell color. TCC of different tissues (gonad, gill, hepatopancreas, kidney, axe foot, mantle, and adductor muscle) of purple and white inner-shell H. cumingii was determined by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The results revealed that TCC ranged from 12.91 ± 0.78 to 56.30 ± 0.74 μg/g. In general, TCC was higher in the hepatopancreas, followed by the mantle, gonad, gill, kidney, axe foot, and adductor muscle. TCC in gonad, gill, hepatopancreas, kidney, and mantle of purple mussels was significantly higher than that of white mussels. TCC in mussel tissues of H. cumingii was significantly different (P < 0.001) with respect to shell color. There were significant positive correlations between TCC in mussel mantle and shell color intensity. Future studies will assess the biological roles of carotenoids in shell color formation.     

Influence of nacre deposition rate on cultured pearl grade and colour in the black-lipped pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera using farmed donor families

Cultured pearl nacre deposition rate in Pinctada margaritifera oysters was studied to examine its influence on Tahitian classification grade and colour and to further our understanding of using selected donor oysters produced in a hatchery system for the improvement of these traits. A large-scale grafting experiment using 150 farmed donor oysters was realised in Rangiroa atoll (French Polynesia). After 18 months of culture, 874 pearls were harvested and 7 pearls quality traits were recorded: (1) nacre deposition rate assessed by nacre thickness and weight, (2) classification grade, lustre and surface defects, and (3) colour assessed by pearl colour darkness level and visual colour categories. Nacre deposition rate significantly influence pearl grade, surface defects, darkness level and colour categories, but not the lustre. Grade A pearls had the thickest and heaviest nacre on average, compared with grade D pearls and rejects. In addition, pearls without any surface defect had thicker and heavier nacre. Pearls with low darkness were the thinnest and the lightest. Pearls of aubergine–peacock secondary colours were the thickest and the heaviest. These results highlight the importance of rapid nacre deposition rate for increasing the production of grade A pearls, with less surface defects and dominance of a black tone colour. Fast nacre deposition may, however, have a negative impact on other pearl quality traits, such as pearl lustre. This study demonstrates the importance of examining relationships between pearl quality traits in a way that provides solid information that can be directly used for breeding and genetic selection programmes.     

三角帆蚌贝壳基质蛋白研究进展

贝壳和珍珠是碳酸钙在有机基质调控下形成的结构高度有序的生物矿化物。贝壳有机基质包括贝壳基质蛋白、糖和少量的脂类,其中贝壳基质蛋白对贝壳和珍珠的形成过程具有重要的调控作用。三角帆蚌是我国重要的淡水育珠蚌,三角帆蚌贝壳基质蛋白的研究对于揭示淡水珍珠形成机理和培育高品质淡水珍珠具有重要意义。本文介绍了已发现的与三角帆蚌棱柱层和珍珠层形成相关的26个基质蛋白,包括氨基酸组成、一级结构、高级结构等结构特征,以及参与贝壳碳酸钙沉积、贝壳有机框架形成、晶体形貌调控、贝壳着色调控及与珍珠重量性状的关联性等生物矿化功能方面的最新研究进展,为进一步提高珍珠质量提供参考。     

Donor effect on cultured pearl nacre development and shell matrix gene expression in Pinctada margaritifera reared in different field sites

Understanding the respective roles played by donor and recipient pearl oysters in pearl quality determination in relation to the environment is a challenge for the pearl industry. In most Pinctada species, pearl size is mainly related to recipient oyster growth performance but also relies to some extent on the biomineralisation activity of the pearl sac, a tissue that originates from the donor oyster mantle. We examined donor effect on pearl size in response to culture in the lagoons on Arutua and Apataki atolls. Overall, nacre weight and thickness were greater in Arutua than in Apataki, but sensitivity to the environment differed between donors. Some donors were associated with significantly heavier and thicker nacre in Arutua (I group), while others had similar results at the two sites (NI group). On average, up to 20% of the pearl size could be attributed to the donor but, in group I, donor effect was responsible for up to 36% of nacre weight determination. Additionally, a real‐time PCR expression study of eight matrix protein genes related to biomineralisation in the pearl sac showed that MSI60, pearlin and pif177 were significantly and positively correlated with nacre weight and thickness, with the latter two genes explaining the larger pearl size observed in Arutua. Donor oysters in P. margaritifera therefore play a key role in pearl size improvement, related to the role of the shell matrix protein genes. Understanding such contributions could help in the design of genetic selection plans for specific and adapted donor oyster lines.     

Factors influencing the quality of half‐pearls (mabé) produced by the winged pearl oyster,Pteria penguin (Röding, 1758)

The winged pearl oyster, Pteria penguin, is cultured primarily to produce half‐pearls (mabé). The mabé quality is influenced by culture techniques, but there is limited information in this field. P. penguin with mean (±SE) dorso‐ventral height of 250 ± 6.5 mm were used to investigate the influence of culture period and nucleus position on mabé quality. Oysters were relaxed using 1‐propylene phenoxetol, and five nuclei were glued at different positions to the inner surfaces of the oyster shells; three on the more concave left valve and two on the right valve. Nucleated oysters were then cultured for 10 months under commercial pearl farming conditions at Savusavu in Fiji. Nacre deposited at the base and top of the nuclei was measured monthly, from the 6th to the 10th months of culture and the different qualities of mabé produced at different positions were scrutinized. Nacre thicknesses at the base and top of the resulting mabé were significantly different at different months (P < 0.05) and the rate of nacre deposition was highest during the warmer months. The different positions of nuclei on the valve greatly affected the quality of mabé formed. After a 10‐month culture period, around 1 mm of nacre covered the nuclei although the best quality mabé were obtained after 9 months.     

Genetic parameters of growth and resistance to Polydora ciliata in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata

The pearl oyster Pinctada fucata is an economically important oyster cultured for pearl production in China. In this study, we used an animal model to estimate the variance components and genetic parameters of growth traits and a sire‐dam threshold model to estimate the resistance of P. fucata to polychaete Polydora ciliata. The results showed that the heritability estimates were 0.3850 ± 0.1421 for shell width, 0.3478 ± 0.1292 for body weight and 0.3387 ± 0.1316 for resistance to P. ciliata, and significantly different from zero (P < 0.05). Both phenotypic and genetic correlations were high between shell width and body weight (0.935 and 0.883 respectively) (P < 0.01), but low between resistance and shell width (0.260 and 0.233 respectively)/body weight (0.152 and 0.083 respectively) (r < 0.30; P > 0.05). The higher heritabilities for shell width, body weight and resistance traits suggested that the three traits can be genetically improved through selective breeding, but the low correlation between growth and resistance traits suggested that the resistance trait can be effectively improved through index selection or through hybridization of two specialized lines, i.e. a high‐resistant line and a high growth line.     

鲢鳙混养对三角帆蚌生长和养殖水质影响的围隔实验

2008年4月23日—9月21日通过围隔实验,研究了不同鲢鳙混养比例对三角帆蚌生长及水化学指标的影响。实验中鲢鳙混养比例设置了6个水平,分别为0/0(对照组),100/0,70/30,50/50,30/70和0/100。实验开始和结束时测量三角帆蚌湿重,壳长和壳宽。每个月上下旬测量围隔水化学指标包括NO3N、NO2N、NH3N、TN、TP、PO4P和COD。实验结果表明,鲢鳙混养比例100/0的围隔蚌壳长相对生长率显著低于混养比例0/0,50/50和0/100的围隔(P<0.05),而不同混养比例下蚌的成活率、蚌壳宽及蚌重增长均无显著差异(P>0.05)。从水质来看,混养比例30/70围隔TP显著低于100/0(P<0.05),COD显著低于100/0及70/30(P<0.05),NH3N显著低于100/0(P<0.05)以及PO4P显著低于70/30(P<0.05)。因此,综合蚌生长及水质指标,混养比例30/70围隔对三角帆蚌养殖最有利。     

Comparison of growth and pearl production in males and females of the freshwater mussel, Hyriopsis cumingii, in China

Growth and pearl production were compared for males and females in the freshwater mussel, Hyriopis cumingii, from a full-sib family. The results indicated that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) on individual weight between male and female mussels of 1- or 2-year-old, while significant difference (p < 0.01) lay among 3- or 4-year-old mussels with male greater than female. The average shell width of the male mussels was less than that of the female individual (p < 0.05). 1- and 2-year-old males and females did not differ significantly with respect to the total weights, grain weights, or grain sizes of the pearls they produced, but these three parameters were all significantly greater in 3- and 4-year-old males (p < 0.05). The round pearl percent were similar between male and females at ages 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. Male and female mussels were separately and mixed cultured in enclosures, respectively. The rates of growth in shell width and body weight of females separated from males were 3.42 and 4.16 %, respectively, higher than in females mixed with males (p < 0.05). The total pearl weight per mussel, the average weight per pearl, and the average pearl size of females separated from males were 6.61, 7.10, and 3.59 %, respectively, greater than in females mixed with males (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the growth rate or pearl yield of males cultured with or without females (p > 0.05). Under traditional culture methods, male mussels have a better pearl performance, and artificial separation of females from males can improve the growth and pearl production of female mussels.     

Age‐dependence of cultured pearl grade and colour in the black‐lipped pearl oyster Pinctada margaritifera

Pinctada margaritifera is an economically important marine bivalve species for cultured pearl production in French Polynesian aquaculture. In order to evaluate the influence of donor oyster age on pearl quality traits, experiments were conducted over 6 years using both grafts and surgreffe operations. At harvest, six pearl quality traits were recorded and compared: surface defects, lustre, grade, darkness level and visual colour. Analysing the quality traits of pearls harvested in the initial graft process and those of pearls obtained from surgreffe experiments allowed a comparison of the influence of pearl sac cells originating from the initial mantle graft, which aged together with their recipient oysters. The results demonstrated a significant decrease between these successive grafts in lustre, grade (A‐B‐C), darkness level, and green colour – traits that are of major importance in the pearl market. The duplicated graft experiment allowed the comparison of donor oyster families at 2 and 5 years old, where a mantle graft was inserted into recipient oysters aged 2.5 years. The results showed the same tendencies to a lesser extent, with (i) an improved pearl grade, predominantly through a most important rate of 0 surface defect category, and (ii) a green/grey ratio in favour of the younger donor. A comparison between the graft‐surgreffe and the duplicated graft experiments also highlighted: (i) the indirect role played by the younger recipient oysters, which must be optimized for optimal pearl quality realization, and (ii) the complex interplay between the donor and recipient oysters.     

Macro‐geographical differences influenced by family‐based expression on cultured pearl grade,shape and colour in the black‐lip ‘pearl oyster’ Pinctada margaritifera: a preliminary bi‐local case study in French Polynesia

In French Polynesia, the aquaculture of Pinctada margaritifera is carried out in numerous grow‐out sites, located over three archipelagos (Gambier, Society and Tuamotu). To evaluate the impact of macro‐geographical effects of these growing sites on pearl quality traits, five hatcheries produced families were used as homogeneous donor oysters in an experimental graft. The molluscs were then reared in two commercial locations: Tahaa Island (Society) and Rangiroa atoll (Tuamotu). At harvest, eight pearl quality traits were recorded and compared: surface defects, lustre, grade, circles, shape categories, darkness level, body and secondary colour and visual colour categories. Overall inter‐site comparison revealed that: (1) all traits were affected by grow‐out location except for lustre and round shape, and (2) a higher mean rate of valuable pearls was produced in Rangiroa. Indeed, for pearl grade, Rangiroa showed twice as many A‐B and less reject samples than Tahaa. This was related to the number of surface defects (grade component): in Rangiroa, twice as many pearls had no defects and less pearls had up to 10 defects. Concerning pearl shape, more circled and baroque pearls were found in Tahaa (+10%). For colour variation, 10% more pearls have an attractive green overtone in Rangiroa than in Tahaa, where more grey body colour were harvested. Lustre does not seem to be affected by these two culture site (except at a family scale). This is the first time P. margaritifera donor family have been shown to vary in the quality of pearls they produce depending on their grow‐out location.     

四种微藻投喂对三角帆蚌生长、产珠性能、内壳层颜色和微量元素的影响

为筛选三角帆蚌集约化养殖优质的饵料微藻,本实验采用单因子实验方法,探究投喂不同藻(小环藻、小球藻、二形栅藻、旋转单针藻和混合藻)对三角帆蚌生长、产珠性能和内壳珍珠层颜色的影响。结果显示,投喂不同藻对三角帆蚌的生长影响显著,投喂小环藻组三角帆蚌的体质量增重率、壳长、壳宽和壳高增长率最佳。二形栅藻组次之,但壳长增长率略高于小环藻组。小球藻组、旋转单针藻组和混合藻组生长较差。珍珠增重率以小环藻组最佳,显著高于其他4组。小环藻和二形栅藻组珍珠正圆率显著高于旋转单针藻组。不同饵料微藻对斧足和外套膜微量元素含量影响显著,投喂小环藻组斧足中Ca元素含量最高(12 637.30±624.39) mg/kg。不同饵料微藻对内壳色影响显著,小环藻组内壳色亮度最低、色差最小、饱和度较大;混合藻组内壳色亮度最高、色差最大、饱和度最小;二形栅藻组各值处于中间水平。综合考虑,小环藻是三角帆蚌最佳的饵料微藻,二形栅藻次之。     

三角帆蚌种质资源研究进展

三角帆蚌是我国优良的淡水育珠蚌,具有重要的经济价值。本文从我国三角帆蚌种质资源调查、搜集与保护出发,介绍了三角帆蚌RAPD、SSR及线粒体基因片段等不同分子标记开发状况,重点讨论了这些分子标记分析三角帆蚌遗传多样性的情况。比较了我国五大淡水湖泊三角帆蚌种质及3个优秀种质9个F1后代的生长性能,比较了三角帆蚌雌雄生长差异。简述了三角帆蚌珍珠质形成相关基因、免疫相关基因、贝壳及珍珠颜色相关基因的研究现状。从三角帆蚌与其他蚌类种间杂交、三角帆蚌种内杂交,介绍了培育康乐蚌新品种的过程及三角帆蚌家系选育的进展情况。对今后进一步开展三角帆蚌种质资源研究提出了意见和建议,为三角帆蚌遗传改良提供了基础资料。