On-farm evaluation of three different hatchery sources of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured in on-levee tanks in low-salinity waters of west Alabama

ABSTRACT

Shrimp farmers in Alabama who produce the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, have recently reported abnormally low survival at harvest. Farmers have hypothesized that this phenomenon may be due to disease, toxic algae, shrimp source, or reduced shrimp robustness in later stages of production. To compare performance of shrimp from different sources, postlarvae were obtained from three different hatcheries and stocked on the same day in on-levee tank systems (TS) on two farms (Farm 1-TS; Farm 2-TS1; Farm 2-TS2). Following 104 days of culture on Farm 2-TS1 and Farm 2-TS2, there were no differences in survival (72.8%–91.2%) or final weight (19.8–24.6 g). At Farm 1-TS following 107 days of culture, there were differences in survival from shrimp sourced from one hatchery (40.5%) compared to the other two hatcheries (61.0%–69.8%). Results demonstrated acceptable growth performance and survival from all hatchery sources.     

Effects of partial and complete replacement of freshwater shrimp meal (Caridinea niloticus Roux) with a mixture of plant protein sources on growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) in fertilized ponds

Despite the well‐documented herbivorous food habits, commercial feeds for production of Oreochromis niloticus usually contain between 7% and 15% animal protein. However, animal protein feedstuffs are expensive, hence the need to search for cost‐effective alternatives in plant‐protein sources. Such alternatives are probably more effective in semi‐intensive systems where natural pond food forms part of the diet. This study evaluated the performance of O. niloticus after feeding diets in which fresh shrimp meal (SM) was gradually replaced by a mixture of plant‐protein sources in fertilized ponds. Three isonitronegenous (24% crude protein) diets containing 12 (control), 6% and 0% SM were fed to three groups of O. niloticus in four replicates per group for 250 days. Fish were fed daily at 2% body weight and sampled monthly to monitor growth and make feed adjustments. Growth, yields, survival and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments. Growth of males was double that of females, while the sex ratio was skewed towards females. Although complete substitution of SM by plant protein did not affect the growth of tilapia, production cost was reduced by 36%. In conclusion, animal protein is not required in diets for production of O. niloticus in fertilized ponds.     

对虾白黑斑病的病原病因研究

对虾白黑斑病是养殖中国对虾的常见病，曾被怀疑是细菌性疾病，本试验通过对病虾肝胰腺、血液和病灶组织的细菌分离，对正常虾用白黑斑虾的细菌注射感染等一系列试验发现：细菌或其它生物性病原与对虾白黑斑病并无直接关系。     

Dietary folic acid requirement determined for grass shrimp, Penaeus monodon

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary folic acid requirement of juvenile grass shrimp, Penaeus monodon. Purified basal diets were formulated using vitamin-free casein as the protein source. Graded levels (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 mg folic acid/kg diet) of folic acid were added to the basal diet, resulting in eight dietary treatments in the experiment. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of shrimp initially averaging 0.79±0.01 g for 8 weeks. Shrimp fed diets supplemented with 2 mg folic acid/kg diet had greater (P<0.05) weight gain and hepatopancreatic folic acid concentrations than shrimp fed the unsupplemented control diet. Feed efficiency (FE) was highest in shrimp fed the diets supplemented with 2 mg folic acid/kg diet, followed by the groups fed 1 mg/kg, then the control group. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) was highest in shrimp fed the control diet, followed by 1 mg folic acid/kg and lowest in shrimp fed diets supplemented with 2 mg folic acid/kg. Weight gain percentage, hepatopancreatic folic acid concentration and hepatosomatic index of the shrimp analyzed by broken-line regression indicated that the adequate dietary folic acid concentration in growing P. monodon is 1.9–2.1 mg/kg diet.     

长毛对虾幼体的食性

本文采用11种单细胞藻类、3种动物、2种人工饵料，分别喂养不同发育期的长毛对虾幼体，从其变态速度和存活率，比较各种饵料的效果．并对幼体口器与食性关系、溞状幼体死亡率与食性转化关系，以及人工投饵与生态系育苗相结合的问题作了初步探讨。     

虾池沉积物中3类主要细菌的垂直分布特征

采用平板涂布法和MPN法测定了虾池底质下 0到 30cm深度范围内 3类主要细菌类群的垂直分布情况。结果表明 ,底泥中细菌主要集中于 0到 5cm的表层范围内 ,随深度增加 ,数量急剧减少 ,至 30cm深处所测到菌量已很少。底泥中的总菌量随养殖时间推移 ,逐渐增加 ,到养殖中后期 ,表层菌量增加至 10 6CFU/g ,表层以下 10～2 0cm的总异养菌量和硝酸盐还原菌数量也增加至 10 5CFU/ g以上。弧菌仍集中于表层。细菌的垂直分布主要受各层有机物和溶解氧含量的影响     

The efficiency and condition of oysters and macroalgae used as biological filters of shrimp pond effluent

Current shrimp pond management practices generally result in elevated concentrations of nutrients, suspended solids, bacteria and phytoplankton compared with the influent water. Concerns about adverse environmental impacts caused by discharging pond effluent directly into adjacent waterways have prompted the search for cost‐effective methods of effluent treatment. One potential method of effluent treatment is the use of ponds or raceways stocked with plants or animals that act as natural biofilters by removing waste nutrients. In addition to improving effluent water quality prior to discharge, the use of natural biofilters provides a method for capturing otherwise wasted nutrients. This study examined the potential of the native oyster, Saccostrea commercialis (Iredale and Roughley) and macroalgae, Gracilaria edulis (Gmelin) Silva to improve effluent water quality from a commercial Penaeus japonicus (Bate) shrimp farm. A system of raceways was constructed to permit recirculation of the effluent through the oysters to maximize the filtration of bacteria, phytoplankton and total suspended solids. A series of experiments was conducted to test the ability of oysters and macroalgae to improve effluent water quality in a flow‐through system compared with a recirculating system. In the flow‐through system, oysters reduced the concentration of bacteria to 35% of the initial concentration, chlorophyll a to 39%, total particulates (2.28–35.2 µm) to 29%, total nitrogen to 66% and total phosphorus to 56%. Under the recirculating flow regime, the ability of the oysters to improve water quality was significantly enhanced. After four circuits, total bacterial numbers were reduced to 12%, chlorophyll a to 4%, and total suspended solids to 16%. Efforts to increase biofiltration by adding additional layers of oyster trays and macroalgae‐filled mesh bags resulted in fouling of the lower layers causing the death of oysters and senescence of macroalgae. Supplementary laboratory experiments were designed to examine the effects of high effluent concentrations of suspended particulates on the growth and condition of oysters and macroalgae. The results demonstrated that high concentrations of particulates inhibited growth and reduced the condition of oysters and macroalgae. Allowing the effluent to settle before biofiltration improved growth and reduced signs of stress in the oysters and macroalgae. A settling time of 6 h reduced particulates to a level that prevented fouling of the oysters and macroalgae.     

感染白斑综合病毒（WSSV）对虾相关免疫因子的研究

129尾中国对虾（Penaeus chinensis)分别捕自未暴发白斑综合症（WSSV病毒所致）虾池、WSSV暴发虾池以及曾暴发WSSV虾池。用斑点杂交和组织病理学方法确定各尾对虾的染毒（WSSV）程度。用96孔酶标板法测量相应个体血淋巴上清液的抗菌活力（Ua)、溶菌活力（UL）、酚氧化酶（PO）活性以及过氧化酶（POD）相对活性；用硝酸纤维膜斑点法测定其碱性磷酸酶（ALP）相对活性；用血凝法测定其凝集效价（HAT）。通过对以上免疫指标进行统计分析，结果表明，WSSV感染与对血淋巴PO活性以及ALP相对活性变化有紧密联系；不同虾池各免疫因子差异显著，发病虾池虾样各免疫指标平均值均低于其他虾池；曾发病虾池的虾样PO活性较强；WSSV与HPV感染无统计学意义上的相关性；未发病虾池与曾发病虾池实验对虾的Ua与UL相关性极显著，发病虾池实验对虾Ua与UL呈负相关；发病虾池对虾PO与ALP活性相关性显著。不同性别中国对虾血淋巴上清液的免疫因子活性没有显著差异。     

The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl

1. Amphibian populations worldwide are in decline. Proactive conservation techniques such as translocations into created and restored wetlands have gained popularity in recent years but may fail owing to high predation and low environmental adaptability.
2. The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), affected by rapid urbanization, is now possibly extinct in the wild despite millions living in captivity throughout the world.
3. The aim of this study was to explore whether ponds from an artificial wetland can function as temporary shelters for a viable population of axolotls that could be re-introduced into their native ecosystem in Xochimilco once it is restored.
4. Egg-laying and hatching of 11 unique axolotl pairs placed into reproductive enclosures and larval survival to 7 weeks and up to 12 months were examined. Physicochemical and biological parameters were estimated and compared among ponds.
5. The results from this study are encouraging as they suggest that two ponds have adequate conditions for axolotls to reproduce and for larvae and juveniles to survive.

     

“Summer syndrome” in Litopenaeus stylirostris grow out ponds in New Caledonia: Zootechnical and environmental factors

The “Summer Syndrome”, a septicemic vibriosis caused by Vibrio nigripulchritudo, is responsible for one of the two main seasonal mortalities which affect shrimp aquaculture in New Caledonia. It was identified for the first time in December 1997 in an intensive shrimp farm (called farm DF) and has been enzootic ever since. The “Summer syndrome” affects shrimp during warm-season growout. Although the geographic area concerned is limited, it is a potential threat for the industry in that the disease could spread. Analysis of grow out data from 1991 to 2002 in this farm was carried out in order to characterize the disease and the environmental conditions in relation to mortality. Results of farm DF were compared to data from farms not affected by the disease (called farms HC). The “Summer syndrome” occurs during the warm season which is characterized by an increase in water temperature and sunny duration. This disease is characterized by simultaneously highest densities and weakest drying duration between crops in the farms studied. Between 1991 and 2002, the increase of feed input and nitrogen rate in feed has led to a significant increase of the growth rate over the years in farm DF. At the same time, water management has not changed and has induced an increase in environmental waste production. In consequence, an early eutrophication of water is observed, which is concomitant with the beginning of the mortality outbreaks. This could play a role by inducing directly or indirectly a stress for shrimp and/or a growth and/or virulence factors of the pathogen.