Assessment of rocky reef fish assemblages close to seaweed farming

The seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P. C. Silva, a red algal species, is the main global source of Kappa carrageenan. The introduction of such exotic species in regions outside their original locale can change the community structure of the areas into which they are introduced. The possible influence of seaweed farming on the rocky reef fish assemblage was assessed in Paraty, Brazil. The reef fish assemblage in the seaweed farming area was compared before and after the commencement of farming with two undisturbed control areas. Among the ten species ranked as the most frequently occurring in each area, eight were the same. The fish community structure close to the seaweed farming area did not change from that of the control areas, over the months of the study. Neither the fish diversity and richness indices, nor the total average abundance among areas was significantly altered. The average abundance of the different trophic groups varied over time in both the farm and control areas, revealing similar patterns. These results suggest that K. alvarezii can be cultivated up to at least 50 m from a rocky coast without altering the fish community structure of the surrounding waters.     

Supplementation of organic acids and algae extracts in the diet of red drum Sciaenops ocellatus: immunological impacts

The evaluation of a wide variety of immunostimulatory compounds in the diet of cultured fish has received heightened attention in recent years. However, two organic acids, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and potassium diformate (KDF), have been researched to only a limited extent with aquatic species but have been shown to have various positive effects on terrestrial animals. Two algae extracts, carrageenan and alginic acid, also have been shown to elicit immunostimulation in some fish. Therefore, this study was conducted with red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, as a model marine species to study the effects of organic acids and algae extracts as feed supplements by evaluating several humoral and cellular immune responses. A 7‐week feeding trial was conducted with disease‐free juvenile red drum (average initial wt. 2.6 ± 0.2 g). Semipurified diets were formulated to be isocaloric and contain 40% crude protein. Based on previous studies with other fish species, experimental diets were produced by supplementing the basal diet with KDF at 0.6%, PHB at 2%, alginic acid at 1% or carrageenan at 0.5% by weight in place of cellulose. Fish were stocked into 110‐L aquaria operated as a recirculating system with each diet assigned to three replicate aquaria containing 15 fish. At the end of 7 weeks, weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced in fish feed PHB compared to the basal diet and both algae extracts. The greatest phagocytic activity was found in fish fed the diet containing PHB. Total immunoglobulin level was higher in fish fed the diet supplemented with carrageenan. Goblet cell proliferation was greatest in the posterior end of the gastrointestinal tract but not different among dietary treatments. Organic acids and algae extracts evaluated in this study produced variable immunological responses in red drum with carrageenan showing the greatest potential as an immunostimulant.     

Bacterial diversity studied by next‐generation sequencing in a mature phototrophic Navicula sp‐based biofilm promoted into a shrimp culture system

The bacterial diversity of a phototrophic biofilm used as nutrient‐recycler into a shrimp aquaculture system and as direct food‐source for shrimp was studied by next‐generation sequencing, considering the 16S rDNA and metagenomics sequence classification using exact alignments. Biofilm was promoted by the modification of cabon:nitrogen ratio and by the addition of the diatom Navicula sp. as promoter. Results revealed a wide diversity of bacteria thriving into the biofilm; most of the bacteria detected in the biofilm belonged to the Proteobacteria (47%), Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia (11%), Bacteriodetes (8%), Planctomycetes (5%) Phylum. Species involved in the decomposition of organic matter, nitrogenous‐ and sulfurous metabolites were detected; moreover, filamentous species known as biomass‐bulking enhancers and producers of adhesin‐like compounds were also detected. Surprising results were also obtained by detecting both, strictly anaerobic and aerobic bacteria involved into the metabolism of nitrogenous compounds. Other species not belonging to the marine environment were also detected, but their role is unclear. Finally, the detection of most of these species may constitute a first case report for a phototrophic biofilm. The results suggest an important role of bacteria in this type of biofilm and a complex microbial‐interaction network.     

Preliminary assessment of in vivo safety of potentially probiotic lactic acid bacteria for American bullfrog culture

The effect of the administration of beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB): Lactococcus lactis CRL 1584, L. lactis CRL 1827, Enterococcus gallinarum CRL 1826 and combined CRL 1584+ CRL 1826 on the development of bullfrog embryos from the hatching stage until 31 days (tadpole) was evaluated. In vitro assays indicated that 10³, 10⁶ and 10⁹ CFU mL^?1 single LAB strains remained viable until 24 h in 10% Ringer. Around 10⁹ CFU mL^?1 LAB (individually and combined) were used in an experimental design built to evaluate their effect when administrated at different intervals (three 7‐day cycles with 5‐day rest periods in between) to embryos until day 31. The highest potentially beneficial population (LAB) numbers were detected in the LAB‐treated groups. All the LAB‐treatments increased it and were significantly higher than the controls. Although the highest, potentially pathogenic, population (Red‐Leg Syndrome‐RLS‐related pathogens) numbers were detected in the control and the lowest in the CRL 1584+ CRL 1826‐treated group, they did not differ significantly. Stereoscopic studies showed no malformations in any LAB‐treated group and all the specimens reached the same stage of their biological cycle with a survival >94%. The histological structure of target organs for RLS‐associated pathogens (intestine and skin) and stomach was not affected and the spleen was developed. Only the LAB‐treated groups showed microorganisms associated with the intestinal mucus, without inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria. This is the first report on the evaluation of the absence of adverse effects after LAB administration to bullfrog embryos using indigenous microorganisms.     

The behaviour of the microalgae Tetraselmis chuii in cadmium-contaminated solutions

The accumulation of cadmium by living and dead cells of the green microalgae Tetraselmis chuii was studied both in cell suspensions and in growing conditions. Microalgal cell suspensions accumulated a maximum of 292.60 (23.09) and 210.54 (16.05) mg Cd (g biomass)-1 when living and dried cells were used, respectively. After biosorption, the total cadmium accumulated was efficiently desorbed with concentrated EDTA solution, indicating that cadmium accumulation took place through surface structural components. During cell growth in cadmium-contaminated medium, the toxic effect of the metal proved to be higher for increasing metal concentrations in the medium. This increasing toxicity had a marked influence upon cell productivity. Cadmium was not incorporated during growth of T. chuii cells.     

Cage aquaculture in Neotropical waters promotes attraction and aggregation of fish

The influence of cage aquaculture on the attraction and aggregation of wild fish was evaluated with an experimental tilapia farming structure. The structure was installed in the Corvo River, Rosana Reservoir, Paranapanema River basin, for 140 days. Samples were taken before and after farming began. Gillnets on the surface and near the bottom at different distances from the cages (0, 100 and 400 m) were used for fish sampling. The effects of the food supply at two protein levels were also analysed: Phase 1 = 32% PB and Phase 2 = 28% PB. Changes in species richness and abundance were observed, with the number of individuals and the fish biomass increasing significantly just after the farming began. Some species, such as Iheringichthys labrosus, presented increased abundance near the cages, while others, such as Plagioscion squamosissimus, were more abundant far from the cages. Auchenipterus osteomystax was the most abundant species during the experiment, especially when the protein content of the pellets was higher. It was demonstrated that farming tilapia in cages profoundly altered the abundance and composition of the wild ichthyofauna, suggesting the need to propose effective regulations for such activities, including fisheries restrictions in farmed areas or even the prohibition of cage farming.     

Effects of salinity on sexual maturity and reproduction of Poecilia velifera

Poecilia velifera is a popular fish in freshwater aquarism that naturally inhabits aquatic habitats with a wide range of salinities. Nonetheless, the effects of different salinities on the reproductive success and sex ratio of the species remain unknown. Male sex characters, sex ratio and reproductive success of P. velifera were evaluated by maintaining 160 juveniles (0.078 ± 0.011 g) in four different salinities (0; 12; 24; 36 g/L), with four replicates. The only modification observed in males was the formation of a copulatory organ from the anal fin, which was used to distinguish them from females. Timing of the formation of the male copulatory organ, and the weight and total length of males when it occurred, were recorded. Twenty‐eight fish from each treatment were euthanized after 150 day to examine the gonads and confirm sex. Eight females and four males from each treatment were then kept in their respective salinity treatments for 65 days to examine the effects of salinity on reproduction. Males were kept with females in the different treatments for 15 days, at which point they were removed. Salinity was negatively correlated with male weight and length. Salinity also affected the sex ratio, with the percentages of males and females being 32.5 and 67.5%, and 27.5 and 72.5% in the salinities of 24 and 36 g of salt/L, respectively. Fifty percent of the females kept in freshwater reproduced, while there was no reproduction in the other treatments. The maintenance of P. velifera in freshwater promoted greater reproductive success and precocity, as well as larger males.     

Perkinsus mediterraneus infection induces oxidative stress in the mollusc Mimachlamys varia

Perkinsus mediterraneus is a protozoan parasite that can cause marine mollusc diseases known as perkinsosis being a serious threat for clam cultures worldwide. The aim of the present study was first to determine the Perkinsus species infecting the variegated scallop Mimachlamys varia and then to evaluate the existence of oxidative stress in gills of M. varia according to different degrees of infection. DNA sequencing confirmed that P. mediterraneus was the species infecting M. varia. ROS production was progressively increasing with the degree of infection although the differences were only significant in the high-infected group. Low degree of infection significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and nitrite levels with respect to the control group. In the high-infected group, a significant increase was evidenced in all analysed enzymes, catalase, SOD, glutathione reductase and GST. Non-significant differences in MDA levels were observed between the control and low-infected groups; however, a significant increase in MDA levels was observed in the high-infected group. In conclusion, the infection by Perkinsus mediterraneus in M. varia induces oxidative stress and an antioxidant response directly related to the infection degree that can contribute to the pathogenicity of the infection.     

Modeling environmental influence on Atlantic bluefin tuna bycatch by Mexican longliners in the Gulf of Mexico

Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) stocks have been considered overfished over the last decades, especially the western stock, whose main spawning grounds are in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Despite the current measures implemented, spawner bycatch by the longline fleet targeting yellowfin tuna (YFT) may explain the lack of recovery of local stocks. This situation demands the implementation of appropriate spatiotemporal management strategies to minimize bluefin bycatch in the GoM, which involves knowledge in depth of its distribution and environmental forcing. Using catch and effort data from the Mexican commercial longline fleet with 100% scientific observer coverage from 1999 to 2012 and satellite derived environmental data, this study investigated the influence of environmental conditions on catch per unit effort (CPUE) of ABFT and YFT. General additive models (GAMs) were fitted using a negative binomial distribution and applying Akaike information criterion (AIC) to select the best model. Bluefin CPUE exhibited a marked seasonality, reaching higher values in February and March while YFT catches occurred throughout the year. Two main locations were identified with higher ABFT bycatch rates, Campeche Bay and the western‐central area of the GoM. Higher ABFT CPUE was significantly associated with areas with negative sea level anomalies and low sea surface temperatures, characteristic of cyclonic eddies. Instead, YFT CPUE showed a lesser environmental influence in its distribution. To our knowledge, the patterns shown in this study provide the first in‐depth approach to understand ABFT bycatch in Mexican waters, which will help in further development of adequate management strategies.