Stable isotope ratios in archived striped bass scales suggest changes in trophic structure

Stable carbon isotope ratios were measured in archived striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), scales to identify changes in the feeding behaviour of this species over time. Striped bass tissue and scale samples were collected from Rhode Island coastal waters during 1996 and archived scale samples (1982–1997) were obtained from Chesapeake Bay. Known striped bass prey items were also collected from Chesapeake Bay and analysed for δ¹³C. A significant correlation was observed between carbon isotope ratios in striped bass scales and muscle tissue (r² = 0.52; P < 0.05). Carbon isotope ratios were enriched (less negative) in scales relative to muscle tissue by about 3‰. Carbon isotope ratios in archived striped bass scales from Chesapeake Bay increased significantly from ?16.7 ± 0.2‰ in 1982 to ?15.1 ± 0.3‰ in 1997. Benthic species, especially invertebrates, were isotopically enriched relative to pelagic fish species collected from the main‐stem of Chesapeake Bay. Prey samples collected from riverine locations within Chesapeake Bay were isotopically depleted relative to those collected in the open portion of the Bay. The changes in the carbon isotope ratios of the striped bass scales could be related to changes in the relative proportions of pelagic and benthic food items in the diet of striped bass or to changes in the feeding locations of this species. In either case, there have been changes in the feeding behaviour and/or relationships of the striped bass between 1982 and 1997. Such changes may be related to changing ecological conditions within the estuary, which could influence the health of Chesapeake Bay striped bass.     

Particulate matter dynamics and transformations in a recirculating aquaculture system: application of stable isotope tracers in seabass rearing

The control of adverse effects and the possibility of removing suspended solids from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are the principal challenges facing aquaculture engineers. However, their dynamics and transformations are not yet well known. In this study, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes values (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were used as tracers of particulate matter in a seabass RAS. An isotopic mixing model was employed to estimate the contributions of particulate sources. Feed (−22.1‰ for δ¹³C and 11.9‰ for δ¹⁵N), feces (−24.0‰ for δ¹³C and 6.4‰ for δ¹⁵N) and biofilm (−25.1‰ for δ¹³C and 12.9‰ for δ¹⁵N) were identified as main sources of particulate matter. The particle traps collected a mixing of 29% of uneaten feed and 71% of feces, when drum filter eliminated all remaining uneaten feed, shifting the isotopic signatures of suspended solids from −23.8 and 7.9‰ to −24.9 and 8.3‰ for δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N, respectively. The fish muscle (−18.6‰ for δ¹³C and 15.4‰ for δ¹⁵N) could reflect the isotopic variability of feed ingredients accumulated over time. The isotopic shifts indicate that the contribution of three sources depends on: (1) fish metabolism; (2) water treatment devices; and (3) bacterial bio-fouling into biofilter.     

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in zero-water exchange shrimp culture as indicated by stable isotope tracers

The uptake and assimilation of nitrogen and carbon by shrimp were measured in 1200 L mesocosms using stable isotope enrichments. Labels were added via ¹⁵N‐, ¹³C‐glycine and amino acid mixtures in feeds or as ¹⁵NH₄⁺ to pond water. Label was incorporated into shrimp via algal growth indicating that up to 31% of nitrogen requirements were derived from pond ecosystem dynamics. This value is low in comparison with other shrimp aquaculture isotopic tracer studies but is probably due to differences in shrimp‐rearing conditions. Direct incorporation of the enriched feed label was low in shrimp muscle tissue (3.3% for ¹³C‐glycine, 5.9% for ¹⁵N‐glycine and 7.8% for ¹⁵N‐amino acid mixture). Mass balance calculations indicate the remaining shrimp biomass was derived from feed, but loss of label into solution during feeding led to underestimation based on tracers. Incorporation of isotopic labels into feed as large molecular weight proteinaceous or microencapsulated/fat‐coated compounds is recommended to prevent dissolution and loss.     

崇明东滩南部大弹涂鱼食源的稳定同位素分析

利用稳定同位素技术,对崇明东滩南部湿地4、5月份采集到的大弹涂鱼(Boleophthalmus pectinirostris)的食源进行初步研究。结果显示,大弹涂鱼δ13C和δ15N值分别为-19.28‰~-14.59‰,7.96‰~10.13‰。利用同位素混合模型(Iso Source)计算包括白茅(Imperata cylindrical)、芦苇(Phragmites australis)、互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)、糙叶苔草(Carex scabrifolia)、底栖微藻、颗粒有机物和沉积质在内的7种初级生产者对大弹涂鱼碳源食源贡献的可能范围及分布频率,结果表明白茅、芦苇、互花米草、糙叶苔草、底栖微藻、颗粒有机物和沉积质对大弹涂鱼食源的可能贡献范围分别为0%~69%、0%~30%、0%~72%、0%~30%、0%~76%、0%~44%和0%~47%。利用后整合方法计算得到C_3植物(芦苇和糙叶苔草)、藻类及有机质(底栖微藻、颗粒有机物和沉积质)和C4植物(白茅和互花米草)三大类生产者对大弹涂鱼食源的贡献情况,结果表明C_3植物、藻类及有机质和C_4植物对大弹涂鱼春季食物贡献范围分别为0%~30%、0%~76%和24%~72%,中值分别为15%、38%和48%,表明C_4植物是大弹涂鱼不可缺少的食源。同时,根据大弹涂鱼的δ15N值,得出大弹涂鱼属于2.07~2.65级营养级,为次级消费者。     

Seasonal and spatial variations of the food web structure in a shallow eutrophic lake assessed by stable isotope analysis

Stable isotope analysis was used to investigate seasonal and spatial variations of the food web structure in a large eutrophic lake ecosystem (Lake Taihu, China). Basal food sources, invertebrates and fish were sampled in two lake regions with different environmental conditions and spatial variations in the isotopic composition of lake food webs were found. Overall, more depleted δ¹³C and enriched δ¹⁵N isotope values of organic matter sources and consumers were found in the phytoplankton-dominated lake region than in the macrophyte-dominated region. Wide seasonal variations in the isotopic ratios were also observed in the lake biota, with a general trend towards enriched δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in summer and depleted values in winter. This pattern could be explained by a combination of environmental (e.g., irradiance and nutrient inputs) and biotic (e.g., availability of food sources and plasticity in prey item choice) features. Results of isotope mass balance suggest that macrophytes provide some trophic support in the macrophyte-dominated area, but in both lake regions it is more likely that aquatic food webs are phytoplankton based rather than macrophyte based under eutrophic conditions.     

Depletion of naturally recruited wild Japanese eels in Okayama,Japan, revealed by otolith stable isotope ratios and abundance indices

To investigate the population dynamics of naturally recruited wild Japanese eels, fisheries data of wild individuals in Okayama Prefecture were investigated as a case study. Wild and stocked eels were discriminated using a recently developed method based on otolith stable isotopes. Of the 161 eels captured in freshwater areas where eels had been stocked, 98.1% were discriminated as stocked. In contrast, 82.8% of 128 eels captured in coastal areas where eels are not stocked were discriminated as wild. There was a significant decrease in longline and set-net catch per unit effort between 2003 and 2016 in the coastal areas where most eels were discriminated as wild, indicating ongoing depletion of wild Japanese eels in these waters.     

Effects of lipid extraction on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of fish tissues: potential consequences for food web studies

Abstract –  We examined whether solvent-based lipid extractions, commonly used for stable isotope analysis (SIA) of biota, alters δ ¹⁵N or δ ¹³C values of fish muscle tissue or whole juvenile fish. Lipid extraction from muscle tissue led to only small (<1‰) isotope shifts in δ ¹³C and δ ¹⁵N values. By contrast, ecologically significant shifts (+3.4‰ for δ ¹³C and +2.8‰ for δ ¹⁵N) were observed for whole juvenile fish. Sample variance was not affected by lipid extraction. For tissue-specific SIA, two sample aliquots may be required: a lipid-extracted aliquot for stable carbon isotope analysis when differing lipid content among tissues is a concern, and a nonextracted aliquot for δ ¹⁵N determination. Whole organism SIA is not recommended because of the mix of tissues having different turnover times; for very small fish, we recommend that fish be eviscerated, decapitated, and skinned to minimise differences with samples of muscle tissue.     

Pyocyanin as a safe aquaculture drug for the control of vibriosis in shrimp recirculating aquaculture system (RAS)

Diseases are one of the most critical limiting factors in aquaculture. Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are one of the most functionally viable sustainable aquaculture production systems adopted world over. In the event of any eventuality caused by bacterial pathogens, antibiotics or other antibacterial agents cannot be applied due to the vulnerability of biological filters which form an integral part of the RAS. Because of this, newer drugs are required for the effective control of diseases in RAS which would not interfere with the activity of nitrifying bacteria used in the biological filters. The antagonistic activity of pyocyanin, a bioactive compound produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, against vibrios is well established. The purpose of this study was to prove the effectiveness of pyocyanin as an aquaculture drug for application in RAS by employing a pilot-scale shrimp culture under RAS. It was noted that at the concentration of 5 mg L^?1, pyocyanin could significantly bring down the population of Vibrio spp. in RAS without affecting noticeably the other natural heterotrophic bacteria. Also, pyocyanin at this concentration did not inhibit the activity of nitrifying bacterial consortia used in the SBSBR (stringed bed suspended bioreactor) of RAS. The reared shrimp (Penaeus monodon) showed 100% survival after the application of pyocyanin, besides exhibiting normal health signs. Pyocyanin was non-toxic to the shrimp hybrid cell line (PmLyO-Sf9) at the concentration required for its application in disease management (IC₅₀?=?419.26 mg L^?1). The present study has demonstrated that pyocyanin is effective as an environment-friendly and safe aquaculture drug for the application in RAS-based shrimp culture to control Vibrio spp. without impeding nitrification established through the deployment of nitrifying bioreactors.

     

Bacteriophage therapy as a bacterial control strategy in aquaculture

Aquaculture is a sector of economic relevance worldwide. Bacterial infections have been recognized as an important limitation to aquaculture production and trade. Microbial infection in aquaculture derived products has been prevented by antibiotic administration with limited success. Recently, drug-resistant bacteria have become a global problem, urging for the prompt development of alternative control strategies in order to improve food quality and safety. The alternative approach of using lytic phages or their products, as bioagents for the treatment or prophylaxis of bacterial infectious diseases, has gained interest. This review intends to emphasize the need of further research in the field of the application of phage therapy in aquaculture and highlights the use of phages in invertebrates as an antimicrobial strategy pointing critical aspects from the economic, environmental and public health perspectives.     

Evaluation of shrimp polyculture system in Thailand based on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios

ABSTRACT: To quantify the contribution by cocultured animals to waste assimilation in an intensive shrimp farm in Thailand, the food web structures of the macrobenthos in a reservoir pond, a shrimp culture pond and water treatment ponds were examined using the stable C and N isotope ratio technique. Seawater for aquaculture was drawn from a creek, and stored in a reservoir pond, used for farming the banana prawn Fenneropenaeus merguiensis in culture ponds, and then recycled through treatment ponds where the green mussel Perna viridis was cultured to remove organic wastes discharged from the farming. The clam worm Nereididae sp. and the mud creeper Cerithideopsilla cingulata in the culture pond had δ ¹³C values of −21.0‰ and −18.4‰, respectively, suggesting that shrimp feed (mean δ ¹³C = −20.7‰) was the main food source for these species. The δ ¹³C analysis also suggested that sediments (−23.7‰) in the reservoir pond and particulate organic matter (POM) (−24.0‰) and/or sediments (−25.0‰) in the treatment pond supplied carbon for most macrobenthic animals. However, green mussels in the treatment pond had a mean δ ¹³C value of −20.5‰, suggesting that shrimp feed was the main food source for this species.     

Influence of different food sources on the initial development of sexual recruits of reefbuilding corals in aquaculture

In coral aquaculture, sexual reproduction increasingly plays an important role for serving trade and reef restoration purposes. However, until coral juveniles reach a semi-stable size which makes them less vulnerable against algal growth and sedimentation, high mortality rates may occur in the first several weeks to months after settlement. In the present study, the influence of several food sources on the growth and survival of newly settled primary polyps was studied under laboratory conditions for 5 months. In order to estimate effects on specimens of both reproductive modes, experiments were carried out with the brooder, Favia fragum, and with the broadcast spawner, Acropora tenuis. Primary polyps kept in 2-liter aquaria were daily fed with freshly hatched Artemia salina, the micro algae Phaeodactylum tricornutum and a commercially available dry food (Nori Micro, Zoolife®), respectively, at various concentrations. Growth rates in both species were significantly higher in the Artemia treatment with maximum rates of 9.4 ± 4.9 mm² (mean ± S.D.; d = 5 months) for F. fragum and 26.8 ± 10.3 mm² (d = 5 months) for A. tenuis compared to all other treatments and the control (no additional food). Survival in F. fragum was overall higher than 60% in all treatments with maximum rates of 85.0 ± 12.6% at the highest Artemia concentration. Survival rates in A. tenuis ranged from 28.9 ± 4.7% (lowest Nori concentration) to 86.2 ± 5.9% (medium Artemia concentration). The present study shows that Artemia nauplii may greatly enhance the growth and partly enhance the survival of early sexual recruits which may significantly help to more rapidly overcome the early and most fragile post-settlement stages. As a consequence, the residence time for sexual coral recruits in cost- and labour-intensive hatcheries may be greatly reduced.     

促渗剂-氮酮在水产中应用的可行性探讨

氮酮作为一种新型的渗透促进剂,由于能增加水或脂溶性化合物皮肤渗透作用,且无不良反应,发展成为较为理想的皮肤渗透促进剂。氮酮的这种独特优势成了近年来人医和兽医关注的课题之一。查阅国内外的资料,水产当中尚无氮酮研究和应用的报道。本文结合氮酮在人医和兽医中的研究和应用成果,分析鱼的生理组织结构,初步探讨其在水产中应用的可行性。目的是为透皮剂在水产中的开发和研究探索一个思路。     

Contributions of food web modelling to the ecosystem approach to marine resource management in the Mediterranean Sea

Ecological modelling tools are applied worldwide to support the ecosystem‐based approach of marine resources (EAM). In the last decades, numerous applications were attempted in the Mediterranean Sea, mainly using the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) tool. These models were used to analyse a variety of complex environmental problems. Many applications analysed the ecosystem impacts of fishing and assessed management options. Other studies dealt with the accumulation of pollution through the food web, the impact of aquaculture or the ecosystem effects of climate change. They contributed to the scientific aspects of an ecosystem‐based approach in the region because they integrated human activities within an ecosystem context and evaluated their impact on the marine food web, including environmental factors. These studies also gathered a significant amount of information at an ecosystem level. Thus, in the second part of this review, we used this information to quantify structural and functional traits of Mediterranean marine ecosystems at regional scales as the illustration of further potentialities of EwE for an EAM. Results highlighted differential traits between ecosystem types and a few between basins, which illustrate the environmental heterogeneity of the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, our analysis evidenced the importance of top predators and small pelagic fish in Mediterranean ecosystems, in addition to the structural role of benthos and plankton organisms. The impact of fishing was high and of a similar intensity in the western, central and eastern regions and showed differences between ecosystem types. The keystone role of species was more prominent in protected environments.     

Assessing the feasibility of sponge aquaculture as a sustainable industry in The Bahamas

Sponge harvesting was a significant part of the Bahamian economy until the late 1930s when disease, hurricanes, and unsustainable harvesting practices reduced the viability of the sponge industry. Current international demands for natural products, increasing regional needs for economic diversification, and the historical foundation of sponging in The Bahamas makes sponge aquaculture a desirable candidate as a sustainable industry. To determine the feasibility of sponge aquaculture in The Bahamas, we deployed growout arrays between February 2006 and September 2009 at two sites off South Eleuthera to examine the survival and growth rates of grass sponge (Spongia tubulifera) and hardhead sponge (Spongia pertusa) cuttings. Complete skin regeneration occurred for both species by the second week following deployment. Following 43 months of growout, both grass and hardhead sponges showed significant positive growth, with cuttings of both species exhibiting faster growth trajectories at the more protected site (Site A) when compared with the site further from shore (Site B). The proportion of sponge cuttings lost during the course of the study was also considerably less for both species at Site A, as was the amount of required maintenance for the arrays. The initial deployment of larger sponge cuttings could help reduce the overall growout period, as would the selection of sites that offered more protection for growout. Based on these results, sponge aquaculture could prove to be a sustainable low-cost industry in The Bahamas; however, further research on site selection, regulations, and market acceptability remains to be done.     

Confirming the authenticity of the geographical origin of Naruto dried wakame Undaria pinnatifida using stable nitrogen isotope ratios

In aquatic ecosystems, the stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) of wakame is affected by the δ¹⁵N of its nitrogen source. Thus, the δ¹⁵N of wakame is thought to differ between those grown in different aquatic ecosystems. To confirm the authenticity of the geographic origin of Naruto dried wakame (DW), we conducted δ¹⁵N analysis. The δ¹⁵N (mean ± σ) of Naruto DW model samples (n = 72) was 11.1 ± 1.9 ‰. The δ¹⁵N confidence range of Naruto DW from the model was 5.3–16.9 ‰ (mean ± 3σ). The δ¹⁵N values of the DW model of Chinese (n = 23) and South Korean origin (n = 22) were 4.2 ± 1.4 and 1.6 ± 2.3 ‰, respectively. Within the δ¹⁵N confidence range of Naruto DW, two model samples of Chinese DW and one model sample of South Korean DW were found. From those results, DW of Naruto origin was able to be distinguished from DWs of the Chinese and the South Korean.     

Stable isotope analysis of energy sources for larvae of eight fish species from the Amazon floodplain

Abstract – Aquatic macrophytes form the most productive habitat of the Amazon floodplain and account for more than 60% of the net primary production of the ecosystem. Aquatic grasses are the dominant macrophytes and the main feeding ground of Amazonian larval fish. The present study used stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to measure the contribution of aquatic grasses to the production of eight larval fish, and describes the structure of the trophic chain. The carnivore larvae were at the third trophic level, and the detritivores were at the second and third trophic levels. The contribution of aquatic grasses to larval fish production was variable. It could reach a mean value of 25% for three species, but its contribution probably did not exceed 12% in the other five species.     

Natural carbon stable isotope ratios as indicators of the relative contribution of live and inert diets to growth in larval Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)

The relative contributions of live Artemia metanauplii and an inert diet for growth of Senegalese sole larvae and postlarvae were assessed through the analysis of carbon stable isotopes ratios (δ¹³C) in both diets and whole larval tissue. Larvae were reared on four dietary regimes: 100% live prey (rotifers and Artemia), 100% inert formulated diet and two co-feeding regimes of 70:30 and 30:70 ratios of Artemia and inert diet, respectively. Larvae from the live food regime and both co-feeding regimes showed a steep increase in δ¹³C from 10 days after hatching (DAH) as a result of the onset and continuation of Artemia consumption. From 12 DAH fish larvae from all the regimes showed significant isotopic differences as their δ¹³C increased to final asymptotic values of − 15.1, − 15.6 and − 16.3‰ in the live food, 70:30 and 30:70 regimes, respectively. Carbon turnover rates in larvae from both live food and co-feeding regimes were relatively high (0.071 to 0.116 d^− 1) but more than 90% of the observed change in fish tissue isotopic values was accounted for by the retention of carbon in new tissue growth. A two-source, one-isotope mixing model was applied to estimate the nutritional contribution of Artemia and inert diet to postlarvae growth in the co-feeding regimes. At 23 DAH, the relative contribution of live and inert diets to tissue growth in larvae was respectively, 88 and 12% for the 70:30 co-feeding regime and 73 and 27% for the 30:70 co-feeding regime. At 17 DAH, the estimated proportion of tissue carbon derived from the inert diet was higher at 23 and 38% for the 70:30 and 30:70 regimes, respectively. The results suggest that co-feeding regimes in Solea senegalensis larvae may be adjusted to meet ontogenetic changes in the capacity for larvae to utilise inert diets. The contrasting levels of carbon isotope discrimination between diet and tissue in larvae reared on either 100% live feed or 100% inert diet indicate relatively poor utilization of nutrients from the inert diet. The use of isotopic discrimination factors as potential indicators of the digestive physiological performance of a consuming organism in regards to its diet is discussed.     

Impact of food type on growth,survival and reproduction of the cyclopoid copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclopina kasignete</Emphasis> as a potential live food in aquaculture

This study compared the efficacy of different dietary algae on the growth and reproduction of the cyclopoid copepod Cyclopina kasignete, a potential live food species for fish larvae in aquaculture. The experimental diets for the copepod consisted of three monoalgal diets (Nannochloropsis oculata, Tisochrysis lutea and dry Melosira sp.) and two mixed algae diets (T. lutea?+?N. oculata, T. lutea?+?dry Melosira sp.). The experiment was carried out for 30 days, and the population growth, survival and reproductive performance (generation time, hatching rate, life spawning times, daily offspring production, eggs per sac, lifespan and sex ratio) were used to assess the responses of C. kasignete to different food types. Population growth, survival and reproductive capacities of C. kasignete were significantly affected by the mono and binary species of algal diets. The results showed that copepods exhibited superior growth, survival and productivity when fed on fresh T. lutea, dry Melosira sp. and a mixture of both species compared to other dietary treatments. Copepods produced comparable growth, survival and productivity when fed on diatoms (dry Melosira sp.) as a single or in combination with other algae. This study indicates that cyclopoid copepod C. kasignete grow fast and have the potential to serve as a live food for aquaculture. The algae T. lutea, dry Melosira sp. and their combination are appropriate food to sustain the growth and reproduction of this copepods in mass culture as a potential live food in fish hatchery.     

Assessment of the aquaculture subsystem in integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems in Northeast Thailand

A survey of integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems (IAAS) was carried out in four different agroecologies, an irrigated and three rainfed agroecologies (drought‐prone, rainfed lowland and rolling land), in Northeast region of Thailand, of tropical wet:dry climate. Fish culture system of IAAS varied with agroecology but not with the length of farmers' experience in IAAS farming. The size of pond holdings in the rainfed lowland agroecology was estimated to be significantly smaller (P≤0.05) than in the three other agroecologies. The highest average extrapolated gross fish yield of 2.3 tonnes ha^?1 was recorded in the irrigated agroecology and this was significantly higher (P≤0.01) than in the three rainfed agroecologies: drought‐prone (1.1 tonnes ha^?1), rainfed lowland (0.5 tonnes ha^?1) and rolling land (0.4 tonnes ha^?1). Higher fish yield in the irrigated agroecology was associated with longer stocking period and higher amount of pond inputs. Average income of IAAS households from fish also varied across agroecology in a fashion that was noted for yields. However, the farm pond played a pivotal role in the diversification of the farming system in rainfed agroecologies, as it was essentially the only source of water supply for fruit and vegetables production. While fish culture in all agroecologies was a low‐input system, intensification through fertilization of ponds with chemical fertilizers can be envisaged to increase fish production in IAAS in Northeast Thailand.