Regulation of growth, fatty acid composition and delta 6 desaturase expression by dietary lipids in gilthead seabream larvae (Sparus aurata)

The Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases and elongases show only very limited activity in marine fish, and little is known of the possibility of enhancing Δ6 desaturase gene expression in these fish. The use of plant oils in marine fish diets is limited by their lack of n−3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) despite an abundant content of the 18C fatty acid precursor linoleic and α-linolenic acids. The objective of the present study was to determine the ability of larval gilthead seabream to utilize vegetable oils and assess the nutritional regulation of Δ6 desaturase gene expression. Seventeen-day-old gilthead seabream larvae were fed during a 17-day period with one of four different microdiets formulated with either sardine fish oil (FO), soybean, rapeseed or linseed oils, respectively, or a fifth diet containing defatted squid meal and linseed oil. Good larval survival and growth, both in terms of total length and body weight, were obtained by feeding the larvae either rapeseed, soybean or linseed oils. The presence of vegetable oils in the diet increased the levels of 20:2n−9 and 20:2n−6, 18:2n−9, 18:3n−6, 20:3n−6 and 20:4n−6, in larvae fed rapeseed and soybean oils in comparison to those fed FO. In addition, a sixfold increase in the relative expression of Δ6 desaturase-like gene was found in larvae fed rapeseed and soybean oils, denoting the nutritional regulation of desaturase activity through its gene expression in this fish species. However, feeding linseed oil did not increase the expression of the Δ6 desaturase gene to such a high extent.     

Bacterial flora associated with the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, in the hatchery system

The objective of this study was to understand the microbial flora associated with the hatchery system of giant fresh water prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii during an entire rearing cycle. Bacteriological and physico-chemical analysis was done for different samples of water, larvae, and Artemia. The total bacterial load in well water, seawater and inlet water varied from 10¹ to 10⁵ cfu ml^− 1 with higher counts seen in larval rearing tank (LRT) water. The Vibrio count ranged between 10¹ to 10³ cfu ml^− 1. Larval samples harboured a bacterial load of 10⁶ to 10⁷ cfu/10 larvae. The bacterial load in Artemia hatching water ranged from 4.90 × 10⁴ to 5.63 × 10⁶ cfu ml^− 1 while Artemia had a load ranging from 1.08 × 10⁷ to 2.09 × 10⁹ cfu g^− 1. Vibrio count in the LRT water ranged from 10¹-10³ cfu ml^− 1 while the count in larvae ranged from 10² to 10⁴ cfu/10 larvae. The bacterial genera were predominantly Gram-negative and comprised of Aeromonas spp., Pseudomonas spp., Vibrio spp. and Bacillus spp. and non-spore formers (NSF) were the dominant Gram-positive bacteria. This study documents the bacterial flora associated with Macrobrachium hatchery system during a regular normal run. Knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative aspects of bacterial flora in the hatchery would help to understand disturbances, if any, brought about during disease outbreaks.     

Effects of weaning age and diets on ontogeny of digestive activities and structures of pikeperch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>) larvae

Growth and ontogeny of digestive function were studied in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae weaned on artificial food at different ages. Three weaning treatments initiated respectively on day 9 (W9), day 15 (W15) or day 21 (W21) post-hatching (p.h.) were compared with a control group, fed Artemia nauplii from first feeding until the end of the rearing trial on day 36 p.h. The digestive enzyme activities and the ontogeny of digestive structures were investigated using enzymatic assays and histological methods. Growth of pikeperch larvae was significantly affected by precocious weaning. Pancreatic (trypsin and amylase) and intestinal (leucine-alanine peptidase, leucine aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase) enzyme activities were detected from hatching onwards, increased at the moment of first feeding and then decreased. Pepsin secretion occurred at day 29 p. h. only, concurrently with the stomach development and differentiation of gastric glands. In the early weaning group (W9) the maturation process of intestinal enterocytes seems to be impaired and/or delayed and several signs of malnutrition were recorded. Except for alkaline phosphatase activity, no differences in enzyme activities and development of digestive structures were observed among the control, W21, and W15 groups. Moreover, at the end of the experiment, no differences in proteolytic activities were observed among larvae from the different treatments, indicating that, in surviving individuals, the digestive structures were properly developed and the larvae had acquired an adult mode of digestion. Based on the artificial diet used, our results suggested that pikeperch larvae can be weaned from day 15 p.h. without significant adverse effect on digestive capacities (except for alkaline phosphatase) or development of digestive tract, while earlier weaning impaired the onset of the maturation processes of the digestive system, both in terms of morphological structures and enzymatic activities.     

Status of Biological Studies and Aquaculture Development of the Mud Crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scylla serrata</Emphasis>, in China: An Experimental Ecological Studies

This is an initial paper in a series of overviews of biological research and aquaculture development of the mud crab, Scylla serrata, in China. Results of experimental ecological studies on mud crabs are reported here. As a result of these experimental studies, results that are important for mud crab culture were also discovered and these include, methods to condition and manage broodstock, determination of ecological conditions that are suitable for embryonic development, and the influence of temperature, salinity, diet and larval density on development and survival of larvae. Results of this work will be useful in establishing a good method for artificial mass culture of larvae.     

Hatchery production of diploid and triploid clams, Tapes dorsatus (Lamarck 1818): a potential new species for aquaculture

To assess the potential for hatchery production of the venerid clam, Tapes dorsatus, diploid and triploid clams were produced and ongrown until the spat reached 5–8 mm in size. Triploidy percentages at metamorphosis that ranged from 56 to 85% were induced using a 15-min exposure to 1 mg/l cytochalasin B. No differences were observed in the growth rate of sibling diploid and triploid T. dorsatus larvae. Survival of diploid clams to pediveliger stage was however higher. Post-metamorphic growth and survival of diploid and triploid clams remained the same until the clams were removed from the hatchery to outdoor nurseries. Throughout the larval and early spat phases of production, T. dorsatus growth was similar to that reported for the Manila clam, Tapes philippinarum. Based upon its ease of culture, rapid growth and marketability, T. dorsatus are thought to have considerable aquaculture potential.     

Artemia prey size and mode of presentation: Effects on the survival and growth of phyllosoma larvae of southern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)

Performance of phyllosoma of thesouthern rock lobster (Jasus edwardsii)was examined after feeding Artemia-baseddiets. Survival and growth of newly-hatchedlarvae cultured to Stage III were lower(p < 0.05) when fed 0.8 mm Artemia than1.5 mm or 2.5 mm Artemia alone or 1.5 mmArtemia in combination with pieces ofmussel (Mytilus edulis planulatus) gonad.This could not be attributed to deficiencies inthe composition of fatty acids but appeared tobe due to the inability of larvae to capturesufficient appropriate-sized, enrichedArtemia for their nutritional requirements.There was an indication that survival andgrowth were higher between Stages III and Vwhen fed 2.5 mm Artemia than 1.5 mmArtemia alone or in combination with musselpieces. However, Stage VI larvae grew to asimilar size at Stage VIII when fed 1.5 mm or2.5 mm Artemia. Unexpectedly, larvae fedthe combination of 1.5 mm Artemia plusmussel supplement had lower survival than foundpreviously, and generally lower than when fed 1.5 mm Artemia alone. This was despitean apparent nutritional profile (lipid contentand fatty acid composition) of mussel more akinto that of newly-hatched phyllosoma thanenriched Artemia. On the other hand,survival and growth to Stage VIII were higherwhen larvae were fed alginate pelletscontaining Artemia than when fed 1.5 mmor 2.5 mm Artemia alone.     

Effects of illumination on early life development and digestive enzyme activities in common pandora Pagellus erythrinus L. larvae

The activities of main digestive enzyme (proteases, amylase and lipase) and animal husbandry (mainly growth and survival) were studied in common pandora Pagellus erythrinus larvae until 30 days after hatching (DAH). Three different illumination levels (10, 30 and 100 lx) were compared in triplicate and green water technique was carried out. At the end of the experiment, illumination did not affect neither survival nor growth except 10 lx treatment. Similarly, specific growth rate (SGR) was different in 10 lx treatment (p < 0.05), although no differences were found in group 30 and 100 lx treatments (p > 0.05). In all groups, trypsin and chymotrypsin specific activities were firstly detected on day 3 related with mouth opening and slightly increased until 20 and 25 DAH respectively, and after this date specific activities of those decreased. Although, there was a significant difference between 10 lx treatment and other experimental groups (p < 0.05), no differences were found in other treatments (p > 0.05). Pepsin was firstly detected on day 25 related with stomach formation and sharp increase was observed until 30 DAH and then slight decrease was measured from this date and no differences were found between all groups. Amylase was firstly determined on day 2 and increased to day 5. After this date, slight decreases were measured in all groups and continued until end of experiments. The highest specific activity of amylase was determined in 30 lx treatment and no significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). Lipase was firstly detected on day 4 and increased to day 10. Then, activity of lipase decreased until day 15 and increased again until 25 DAH. Slight decreases were found in all groups until day 30 and continued to end of experiments. No significant differences were detected among groups (p > 0.05).

Finally, the significant improvement in survival, larval development and specific enzyme activities of larvae were determined in 30 lx treated group. It is thought that this phenomenon is related to optimal keeping conditions provided by the medium illumination level for Pagellus erythrinus larvae.     

Pathogenicity of white spot syndrome virus on postlarvae and juveniles of Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) has decimated the shrimp aquaculture around the world. Breeding efforts to generate resistant stocks are necessary but there is a lack of basic information on challenge test strategies focused on genetic selection. Infection routes and developmental stages were evaluated on Penaeus vannamei as a first step in a strategy to select white spot virus (WSSV)-resistant stocks. Mortalities could not be induced before the PL30 stage. The impact of infection by immersion and blended tissue was intermediate on mortalities when compared to the minced tissue treatment on PL30. Blended and minced tissue treatments produced the highest mortalities on PL40 while immersion was intermediate. A general tendency towards higher susceptibility associated with older stages was detected. Additionally, juveniles of 1 g average weight from three local breeding programs were challenged. There were no differences in survival between the programs, although two of them derived their progenies from survivors of strong WSSV events. The implications of these results to the WSSV epidemiological characteristics and breeding programs are discussed.     

Estimation of flow in a rearing tank of marine fish larvae by simplified numerical computation—a case of two-dimensional flow

Marine fish larvae are fragile against physical stress. However, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the flow field in a rearing tank, which is assumed to provide a high degree of physical stress to marine fish larvae. The flow field in a rearing tank (volume of 1 m³) is generated by aerators, which are commonly used to provide oxygen.

This paper is a report on the estimation of stationary flow in the rearing tank of marine fish larvae. The larvae are seven band grouper larvae of Epinephelus septemfasciatus, which have a very low survival rate immediately after the hatching of eggs. The experiments of rearing of seven band grouper larvae were carried out using rearing tanks with four aeration rates (1000, 200, 50 ml/min, and no aeration). The effects of aeration on the survival and floating death of seven band grouper larvae were examined. The experiments confirmed that the mass mortality of seven band grouper larvae depends on the flow rate in the rearing tank. Aeration at 200 ml/min resulted in the highest survival and growth rates of grouper larvae.

Larvae-rearing experiments provided evidence that the flow rates of the rearing tanks are very important design aspects of rearing tanks. The estimation of flow in a rearing tank for an aerating rate of 200 ml/min was carried out by numerical calculation. The computation was simplified by a two-dimensional flow based on experimental results. The calculated flow in the rearing tank was compared with the experimental one. The calculation of the stationary flow in the rearing tank showed good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the experimental results. The numerical estimation of the flow in a rearing tank of marine fish larvae was confirmed to be effective and satisfactory for the design of a tank that would provide optimum performance.     

Comparative bioactivity of selected seed extracts from Brazilian Annona species and an acetogenin-based commercial bioinsecticide against Trichoplusia ni and Myzus persicae

The acute and chronic toxicity of ethanolic seed extracts from selected Brazilian Annona species (Annona montana Macfadyen, Annona mucosa Jacquin, Annona muricata Linnaeus, and Annona sylvatica A. St.-Hil) and an acetogenin-based commercial bioinsecticide (Anosom^®) were investigated against the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). In the laboratory, extracts of A. mucosa and A. sylvatica as well as Anosom^® were especially active through oral and topical administration. A greenhouse trial showed that a formulated A. mucosa extract and Anosom^® were highly effective (>98% mortality) against third instar T. ni larvae, and comparable to a pyrethrin-based commercial insecticide (Insect Spray^®) used as a positive control. Similar to results with T. ni, A. mucosa extract showed the greatest aphicidal activity followed by A. sylvatica extract and Anosom^®. In another greenhouse trial, aphid population reduction from the formulated A. mucosa extract was superior to that provided by other treatments including the positive control. Though inferior to the A. mucosa extract, the acetogenin-based commercial insecticide (Anosom^®) and A. sylvatica extract also reduced aphid populations in a manner comparable to the positive control. Botanical insecticides based on these Annonaceae derivatives could be useful in the framework of Brassica IPM in Brazil and elsewhere, especially for organic production.