Reproduction, condition and mortality of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg) in Sonora, México

Starting in 1997, mortality outbreaks in cultured oysters Crassostrea gigas have been reported in northwestern México. Previous studies have shown that massive die‐offs result from multi‐factor processes related to reproduction of the species. We studied the reproductive cycle and the condition index of cultured oysters in the coastal lagoon of El Soldado, Sonora, as well as the relationship of the life cycle with environmental parameters. We used oocyte diameter to determine reproductive stages and the condition index to describe the physiological state of oysters. Additionally, the temperature, salinity, seston and chlorophyll a were recorded at the study site. The results showed that C. gigas began accelerated reproductive activity in March under the influence of high temperature and increased concentrations of food. No spawning events were recorded and gametes were reabsorbed within the gonad in September and October. The results showed a period of nutrient storage during autumn–winter and another period of gamete production in spring–summer. A mortality event occurred at the end of winter, tied to significant increases in temperature and availability of food and in accelerated reproductive activity and high condition index. These conditions were very similar to those reported in other countries during summer die‐offs of C. gigas.     

cDNA cloning of Japanese oyster stress protein homologous to the mammalian 78-kDa glucose regulated protein and its induction by heatshock

ABSTRACT:    The 78-kDa glucose regulated protein (GRP78), a member of stress proteins, was cloned from a cDNA library of Japanese oyster Crassostrea gigas . The analysis on Japanese oyster GRP78 clone of approximately 2.6 kb revealed that the entire open reading frame was 1983 bp long and encoded 661 amino acid residues. At the DNA sequence level, the coding region of Japanese oyster GRP78 gene was 72, 62, and 62% identical to those of chicken GRP78, Japanese flounder HSP70, and Japanese flounder HSC71 genes, respectively. Deduced amino acid sequence of Japanese oyster GRP78 was 84, 62, and 62% identical to those of chicken GRP78, Japanese flounder HSP70, and Japanese flounder HSC71, respectively. Japanese oyster GRP78 contained an 18-residue sequence at the N-terminus that exhibits characteristics of a cleavable signal sequence. It also contained an ATPase domain, and a peptide-binding domain in addition to a Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu (KDEL) peptide motif that is involved in determining endoplasmic reticulum localization. Northern blot analysis showed that GRP78 mRNA was induced with heatshock treatment in the oyster tissues.     

Effect of salinity change on free amino acid content in Pacific oyster

ABSTRACT:   In order to identify free amino acids (FAA) that are importantas intracellular osmolytes in Crassostrea gigas , we investigatedthe change in FAA content in the mantle exposed to an abrupt decreaseor increase in salinity. In hypo-osmotic adaptation, most FAA showedremarkable and synchronous decreases from 2 to 8 h, suggestingthat the non-selective efflux of FAA was mainly responsible forthe decrease in FAA. Taurine that accounted for approximately 80% oftotal FAA content contributed most significantly to the hypo-osmoticadaptation. In hyper-osmotic adaptation, significant increases inglycine, alanine, β-alanine, proline, arginine and taurinewere observed. Of these, alanine showed an immediate increase thatis important to short-term adaptation to hyper-osmolality, whiletaurine showed a slower and substantial increase that contributesto a long-term adaptation to hyper-osmolality.     

Growth of the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951) in Sonora, Mexico

This is the first evaluation of growth and survival of spat of the Cortez oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein) produced under controlled conditions in a coastal area in the state of Sonora, Mexico for aquaculture purposes. A suspended culture technique, used for the Pacific oyster C. gigas, was used. The Cortez oyster has an isometric shell growth during the first 13 months, reaching 71.3±1.9 mm length, 52.6±1.3 mm thickness and 25.1±0.8 mm width. Allometric growth was found between total weight and length, thickness and width (survival was 70%). The relationships between particulate organic, inorganic material, chlorophyll a and environmental parameters with growth are described. Growth rates of C. corteziensis were affected by temperature with retardation at less than 18°C. For aquaculture purposes, it is recommended that spat be sowed after winter, and oyster harvest occur at the end of autumn. According to the von Bertalanffy equation, Cortez oysters would reach the traditional exploitation size of 65 mm (mean length) at harvest. Finally, the results of this study have shown that C. corteziensis is a good candidate for aquaculture projects in this region.     

Diversity,conservation status and threats to native oysters (Ostreidae) around the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts of South America

• 1. Despite the extensive literature on the ecology, systematics and culture of oysters worldwide, an assessment of their diversity, distribution and conservation status for the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts (i.e. depth <50 m) of South America is lacking. Such information is crucial because of the increasing coastal development that threatens most nearshore habitats throughout the region.
• 2. The available information on oysters on Atlantic and Caribbean coasts is reviewed with a focus on identifying regional conservation priorities based on ecological and socio‐economic importance, as well as the magnitude of current or potential threats faced by oyster populations. The current status of α‐ taxonomy within the Ostreidae was also examined.
• 3. Ten species of native Ostreidae (plus three introduced species) inhabit the coastal waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts of South America.
• 4. Oyster species were ranked according to their biological/ecological and socio‐economic value and conservation status within 10 distinct ecoregions. Crassostrea gasar in the Eastern Brazil ecoregion, C. rhizophorae in the Central Caribbean ecoregion and Ostrea puelchana in the North Patagonian Gulfs ecoregion should receive the highest priority for immediate conservation action due to extensive loss of mangrove habitat in the two former regions and evidence of decline of one of the most important populations for the latter. The need for a standardized methodology to assess the status of oyster populations throughout the ecoregions is identified.
• 5. On a local scale, the allocation of territorial use rights for fisheries under a collaborative/voluntary community framework is strongly advocated to fulfil management, conservation and poverty alleviation goals in these developing countries.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Larval rearing and spat production of edible oyster Crassostrea gryphoides (Schlotheim)

The edible oyster Crassostrea gryphoides was induced to spawn in the laboratory by thermal stimulation, and the larvae were reared to spat. The larvae grow through the straight hinge (70×60.5 μm), early umbo (96.25×87.5 μm), late umbo (215×152.5 μm), eyed stage (290×222.5 μm) and pediveliger (308.25×254.17 μm) in pelagic phase before metamorphosing to spat, and these stages are described. These stages were reached at 20 h, on the fifth, 11th, 15th, 19th and 21st day respectively. Spat settlement percentage was found to be 1.8%.     

The effect of size on the response of Pacific oysters (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>) to changes in water temperature and air exposure

To further improve the technology used in Pacific oyster farming, information is required on the response of different sized and aged oysters to various environmental changes. In this study a neutral red retention (NRR) assay was used to investigate the effects of size and age on the response of Pacific oysters to changes in water temperature and their recovery after exposure to different air temperatures. Results from moving oysters directly between water temperatures of 5°C and 15°C, 10°C and 20°C and 15°C and 25°C demonstrated that different water temperature change affect the lysosomal membrane integrity differently. The NRR times of large and small oysters transferred directly between 10°C and 20°C initially decreased significantly, and then increased to levels corresponding to the new temperature. In addition, NRR times in large oysters responded at a significantly slower rate than small oysters when they were transferred from 5°C and 25°C to 15°C water and between 10°C and 20°C water. Results from the air exposure experiments showed that, after exposure to air temperatures of 5°C, 15°C or 25°C, the lysosomal membrane integrity of large oysters recovered at a slower rate in 15°C water compared to small oysters. It therefore appears necessary to develop different management strategies for large (old) and small (young) oysters. Results from this and previous research also indicate that the NRR assay could potentially be used to develop a model to monitor and predict the performance of oysters on farms.     

长牡蛎壳橙性状遗传参数评估及与生长性状的关联性

长牡蛎壳橙快速生长品系是结合群体选育与种内群体间杂交方法，以壳色性状和生长性状为选育指标，经过连续3代选育获得的新品系。本研究以第1代长牡蛎壳橙快速生长品系(G₁)为亲本，采用巢式设计建立了48个混养家系，共获得863个个体。利用微卫星标记对混养家系进行了系谱分析，并基于REML法评估了长牡蛎壳橙快速生长品系壳色性状的遗传参数及与生长性状的相关性。结果显示，863个个体中，有851个个体被准确鉴定其所属家系；长牡蛎壳橙快速生长品系壳色性状颜色参数指标a^*(红绿轴色品指数)、b^*(黄蓝轴色品指数)和ΔE (色差)等均具中高等遗传力，大小依次为0.47±0.23、0.42±0.21和0.56±0.29。4个颜色参数指标间的遗传相关和表型相关范围分别为-0.79~0.86和-0.45~0.48。壳色性状与各生长性状的遗传相关和表型相关较低，分别为-0.33~0.17和-0.04~0.11。研究表明，在长牡蛎壳橙快速生长品系育种过程中，对壳色性状进行选育可以得到预期的改良效果。此外，壳橙性状与生长性状应分别作为目标性状进行协同选择，以实现同时改良两个性状的目的。本研究可为长牡蛎壳橙快速生长品系选育提供基础资料。     

Seasonal variations in the immunological and physiological parameters of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas cultured in Bahía de Macapule (Sinaloa,Mexico)

Triploid Crassostrea gigas were cultured during 13 months in Nestier‐type oyster trays. The impact of environmental parameters on the physiological and immunological parameters was evaluated. Temperature, salinity and seston were recorded monthly. Seventeen oysters were sampled monthly for immunological and condition index (CI) analyses. Samples were obtained as a haemolymph lysate supernatant (HLS). Protein content was determined using the Bradford method. The activity of hydrolytic enzymes was determined using the API ZYM kit and the lysoplate assay. Seston showed different patterns throughout the cycle. Condition index showed a positive correlation with the protein content of HLS. Protein showed a negative correlation with temperature. Eleven hydrolytic enzymes were detected in samples and higher enzymatic activity corresponded to leucine arylamidase and esterase. Leucine arylamidase and lysozyme activity showed a positive correlation with temperature. Oyster mortality was 28% in our modules and 70% in the oyster farm. Oysters showed low values of CI and haemolymph protein content in summer–autumn when mortalities were observed in the culture system. This finding suggests that these stressed oysters may have insufficient energy to invest in their immune system. It appears that oyster mortality in the culture system resulted from a combination of animal overcrowding, high temperature and low salinity.