A new system for bottom co-culture of the scallop,Patinopecten yessoensis,with the sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus,and the sea urchin,Anthocidaris crassispina,in shallow water in China

A new system for bottom co-culture of scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), and sea urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina, is reported. To evaluate the system, scallops (average shell height, 3.904 ± 0.511 cm) were placed in nine “Hailong” units at densities of 10, 30, and 50 individuals per cell (ind/m²), and the units were placed in shallow waters with a muddy, sandy, or semi-sandy seabed. After more than 9 months, the scallops cultured on the semi-sandy seabed were larger than those cultured on sandy or muddy seabed (p < 0.05). The index of the adductor muscle was higher for scallops cultured on the sandy seabed than for those cultured on semi-sandy or muddy seabed (p < 0.05). More sea cucumbers were harvested from the units on the sandy seabed than from those on semi-sandy or muddy seabed (p < 0.05). The highest yield of sea urchins was from units on the muddy seabed, followed by those on the semi-sandy seabed and then from those on the sandy seabed (p < 0.05). Seaweed communities developed on the units located on sandy seabeds.     

Effect of Ulva meal supplementation on lipid metabolism of black sea bream,Acanthopagrus schlegeli (Bleeker)

Black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) were fed on a diet supplemented with 10% Ulva pertusa meal for 143 days in indoor tanks. Ulva meal supplementation resulted in an increase in total body lipid and influenced the composition of triglycerides (TG). The similarity of the pattern of fatty acid composition between dietary lipid and the reserve lipids was relatively great in the Ulva-fed group.Wintering for 138 days without feeding caused some differences in the mode of lipid mobilization between two dietary groups. In the fish fed Ulva meal, the muscle TG were primarily exhaused prior to the visceral lipid. While specific fatty acids were selectively consumed from the lipid reserves in the control group, all fatty acids were equally mobilized in the Ulva-fed group.It was concluded that the Ulva meal supplement was associated with activation of lipid metabolism such as accumulation and mobilization. The availability of dietary algae was discussed in regard to improvement of physiological condition.     

Heritability and phenotypic correlations of gonad sweetness in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Gonad is the only edible part of sea urchins. Thus, a number of studies have been focusing on how to improve both quantity and quality of their gonads. However, as far as our knowledge, the genetic basis of gonad flavor remains totally unknown in sea urchins. In the present study, we found that the heritability of gonad sweetness was at a high level of 0.56, clearly indicating that it is, to a large extent, under genetic control. Gonad sweetness was significantly positively correlated with gonad weight (P < 0.05), a* (P < 0.01) and b* (P < 0.01), while significantly negative correlated with L* (P < 0.01), ΔE ₁ (P < 0.01) and ΔE ₂ (P < 0.01). The present study provides valuable information into the genetic basis of gonad sweetness and evidences that gonad sweetness is potential to be improved in sea urchin genetic breeding programs.     

Population genetic structure and gene flow in the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus across Toyama Bay, Japan

The Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus has a pelagic-lecithotrophic larva. Here, we clarify larval dispersal among Japanese sea cucumber populations by describing the levels of distinctiveness and gene flow among red and green variant populations of A. japonicus across Toyama Bay using 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Samples of Japanese sea cucumber populations were collected from three localities (Noto, Shinminato, and Uozu) around Toyama Bay. Geographically separated populations of red and green variants were determined to be genetically distinct, supported by phylogenetic analysis and the distinctiveness range values of pairwise multilocus estimates of F _ST. Contemporary migration analyses indicated that the majority of estimated migration events occurred within A. japonicus populations comprised of only either red or green variants. In a historical gene flow analysis, two best-fit models (n-island and stepping stone models) showed circulation for the gene migration in Toyama Bay among red variant populations. Our results provide useful information on the genetic structure of Japanese sea cucumber populations and will be helpful for genetic conservation and fisheries management of sea cucumber populations in Toyama Bay.     

Induced spawning of sea bass, Lates calcarifer, and rabbitfish, Siganus guttatus, after implantation of pelleted LHRH analogue

Captive Lates calcarifer broodstock at Tigbauan, Iloilo (Philippines) were implanted with cholesterol-based pellets of the LHRH analogue D-Trp⁶-desGly¹⁰-LHRH ethylamide or D-hArg(Et₂)⁶,Pro⁹-NHet-LHRH at doses between 9.0 and 23.5 μg/kg body weight. In May, one of ten LHRH-treated females released partially hydrated ova into the tank 4 days after implantation. In July, at least one (and probably four) of five LHRH-treated females spawned in the tank 2 days after implantation; 2.6 million hatchlings were collected. In August, both LHRH-treated females spawned in the tank 2 days after implantation; 978 000 hatchlings were collected. None of the sham-operated control fish spawned in any of the experiments.Captive Siganus guttatus broodstock implanted with silastic-based pellets of the LHRH analogue D-Nal (2)⁶ LHRH spawned 1–2 days earlier than sham-operated controls.     

Transportation methods for restocking of juvenile sea cucumber,Holothuria scabra

The sandfish, Holothuria scabra, is a heavily exploited sea cucumber species. Minimising stress in the transportation of hatchery-produced sandfish juveniles to release sites is critical for successful restocking. Replicate groups (n = 4) of 20 hatchery-produced juveniles (1–5 g) were held in plastic bags with oxygen under 6 transport durations (0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h), two media (water or saturated sponge), and two temperature regimes (ambient and cool). Subsequent deaths and sand burrowing of the groups in release chambers were monitored for 5 days. Juveniles eviscerated or died only in treatments at ambient temperature on sponge for 24 h. Oxygen consumption in bags was reduced at cool temperature. On the first day after release, the normal sand burrowing was suppressed in juveniles held for 12 and 24 h, suggesting that pre-release acclimation for 1 day at field sites would benefit restocking. After the initial ‘shock’ of transport, handling stress appeared to increase burrowing behaviour for several days. Hatchery-produced sandfish also proved hardy for transport in high densities (100 and 200 juveniles per bag) and transportation stress will be minimised in seawater held at cool, constant temperature.     

Gonadal sex differentiation and sex control in red sea bream, Pagrus major

The gonadal sex differentiation in red sea bream, Pagrus major, which is one of the most important species for aquaculture in Japan, was revealed histologically. The suitable conditions for induction of all-male groups in the fish were investigated, and functional males were induced by the conditions of oral administration of 17α-methyltestosterone. The sex determination of this fish was also discussed.     

Epitheliocystis infection in wild and cultured sea bream (Sparus aurata, Sparidae) and grey mullets (Liza ramada, Mugilidae)

Heavy infection with epitheliocystis on gills caused mortality in hatchery-born Sparus aurata. Histopathological findings showed extensive proliferation of the gill epithelium around the epitheliocystis capsule. Such proliferation was not observed in benign infections. Epizootic infections thus occurred only in hatchery-born S. aurata. In S. aurata and mullets reared from natural stocks, infection remained benign and sporadic. Epitheliocystis infections were also found in juvenile mullets from the east Mediterranean waters as well as from the Gulf of Elat, Red Sea.     

Taste panel assessment and proximate composition of cultured and wild sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus (Gmelin)

Cage-cultured and wild sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, sampled from a location in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, were assessed by taste panels. Of the five sensory variables investigated (appearance, odor, texture, flavor and overall acceptability), only appearance (P ≤ 0.01) and overall acceptability (P ≤ 0.05) showed significant differences between the two groups. However, no preference was indicated. The adductor muscles were analyzed for total carbohydrate, crude fat, crude protein, moisture and ash. The range for each component was similar (P > 0.05) in both the cultured and wild populations.     

Settling velocity of faecal pellets of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and sensitivity analysis using measured data in a deposition model

Settling rates of faecal material from three size categories of cultured gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, and sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, were determined. Faecal material was collected from underneath commercial cages and subsequently transferred to a settling column. Particle settling velocity was determined using particle tracking software. Image analysis software was used to determine dimensions of selected faecal particles from which particle volume was then estimated. Faecal particles (all fish sizes) had a mean settling velocity of 0.48 cm/s (range 0.05–3.94 cm/s, n = 1021) for sea bream and 0.70 cm/s (range 0.10–6.27 cm/s, n = 1042) for sea bass. The faecal material largely consisted of very small particles and mean particle size was 0.71 mm (n = 151) and 1.12 mm (n = 150) for S. aurata and D. labrax, respectively. More than 50% of the total particle volume had a settling velocity less than 2.0 cm/s in all S. aurata size categories. In D. labrax, more than 75% of the total particle volume had settling velocities greater than 2.0 cm/s. The particle tracking DEPOMOD model was highly sensitive to different representations of these data. The predicted seabed flux of waste faecal material (g/m²/year) for D. labrax using the mean settling velocity at 0 m and 50 m from the cage was 3196 g/m²/year and 248 g/m²/year, respectively. However, when using particle settling velocity and volume distribution data, the predicted flux was over three times greater at 0 m but five times less at 50 m. For S. aurata, the predicted flux using the mean settling velocity was 3018 g/m²/year and 464 g/m²/year at 0 and 50 m, respectively. However, where distribution data were used, the values were over twice as high at 0 m and but were halved at 50 m. These results indicate that use of a single mean settling velocity value in this type of modelling does not accurately predict the extent of benthic flux. In addition, species-specific faecal settling rates should be used when modelling polyculture operations.     

Combined effects of acute thermal and hypo-osmotic stresses on osmolality and hsp70, hsp90 and sod expression in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

The combined effects of acute temperature and salinity on osmolality, expressions of heat shock proteins mRNA (hsp70, hsp90a and hsp90b) and superoxide dismutase mRNA (sod) were investigated in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka. There were 12 treatments (combinations of temperature at 16, 20, 24 and 28 °C and salinity at 22, 27 and 32 ppt). In low salinity environments, the osmolality of the sea cucumber’s coelomic fluid decreased immediately and reached osmotic balance within 6 h. The decline of osmolality after 2 h of hypo-osmotic stress was faster at high temperatures (28 °C) than that at low temperatures (16 and 20 °C). Cellular level stress was indicated by up-regulation of hsp70, hsp90s and sod mRNA, and the maximal expression of all genes occurred at 6 h after stresses. The up-regulation of hsps and sod mRNA indicated the emergence of protein denaturation and oxidative damage and also suggested an increase in energy consumption at high temperature and low salinity. These results indicated that high temperature and low salinity could change biochemical pathways and energy budgets and then potentially impair the osmoregulation of the sea cucumber. Therefore, effective ways should be taken (e.g., draining off the upper freshwater, exchanging water and adding man-made sea water) to prevent the damage to sea cucumber culture caused by low salinity induced by rainstorms, especially at high temperature.     

Growth of the green mussel, perna viridis L., in a sea water circulating system

Growth of the green mussel, P. viridis L., was studied in a sea water circulating system for 12 months. The maximum growth rate was recorded during March–May, coinciding with the maximum abundance of phytoplankton. The other hydrological parameters did not show any marked correlation with growth rate, which was chiefly influenced by the availability of food. A significant relationship was noted between the shell length and total weight of the mussel, i.e.

$\text{W = 3.7522 L}{}^{1.3007}$

The maximum growth rate (91.62%) was recorded at an early stage and was followed by a sharp decline to 5.78%. The growth pattern of the mussel fitted well with the von Bertalanffy growth equation:

$\text{Lt = 110 (1?e}{}^{\mathrm{?0.1124\; (t+0.0889)}}\text{)}$

     

Combined influence of water temperature, salinity and body size on energy budget in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

The worldwide demand for sea cucumber is outpacing the sustainable harvest capabilities of fisheries. Sea cucumber ranches and farms are striving to supplement wild harvest, but variable temperature and salinity conditions in pond culture systems make sea cucumber production challenging. In this study, we evaluated how water temperature, salinity and body size affected the energy budget of pond-cultured sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus Selenka. An orthogonal design was used to identify the most suitable conditions for energy consumption and scope for growth (SFG). After the 42-day experimental period, we found that water temperature, salinity and body size significantly influenced energy consumption, while salinity and body size were the main influencing factors on SFG. Based on these results, we suggest that a water temperature of 16 °C and a salinity of 30 g L^?1 are optimal conditions for stocking sea cucumber A. japonicus with a body size of 37.34 ± 4.63 g. As such, the optimum stocking seasons for sea cucumber A. japonicus may be April in the spring and October in the autumn.     

Response to domestication and selection for growth in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in separate and mixed tanks

Selective breeding of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) receives a growing interest, as the estimated heritability of growth is medium to high. In this study, we compared the offspring of four groups of sea bass sires, mated with the same wild dams: wild (W), first generation of domestication (D), first generation of mass selection for length (M), first generation of PROSPER-like selection for length (P). The comparison was done both in replicated tanks (separate rearing) and in mixed tanks (mixed rearing) where sire origins were recovered by genotyping of eight microsatellite markers. Weight, length and growth rate were measured from day 238 post-fertilization (69 g mean weight) to day 611 post-fertilization (390 g mean weight). Both in mixed and separate tanks, both selected groups (P, M) were larger than unselected groups (W, D). No difference was seen at any time between W and D, nor between M and P. The selection response estimate on weight was larger in mixed tanks when compared to separate tanks (+ 42% in mixed tanks, + 23% in separate tanks at day 611), yielding realized heritability estimates of 0.60 and 0.34, respectively, and confirming the excellent potential of the species for growth improvement through selective breeding. Both selection response and the amplification effect between mixed and separate tanks decreased as rearing density increased. Our hypothesis is that selection response is magnified by competition in mixed tanks, while sub-optimal rearing conditions lower the observed selection response, more in separate tanks (where selected thus larger fish are at a higher density than unselected ones) than in mixed tanks (where all fish experience the same density effects).     

Synergy of microcapsule polysaccharides and Bacillus subtilis on the growth, immunity and resistance of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus against Vibrio splendidus infection

A 4-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of different dietary supplements on the growth, immunity and resistance of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus against Vibrio splendidus infection. The control group was supplied with blank microcapsules, and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) microcapsules, tuckahoe polysaccharide (TPS) microcapsules, (APS + TPS) microcapsules, (APS + TPS) microcapsules + Bacillus subtilis, were tested for effects. Coelomic fluid was collected at 7-day intervals to test activities of lysozyme (LSZ), superoxide dismutase (SOD), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and complement 3 (C3) content. After the feeding trial, the specific growth rate of sea cucumbers fed a diet supplemented with (APS + TPS) microcapsules + B. subtilis was significantly increased (P < 0.05); activities of LSZ, SOD, AKP and C3 content were significantly higher than in other groups (P < 0.05). The challenge test showed that the cumulative mortality of sea cucumbers fed a diet supplemented with (APS + TPS) microcapsules + B. subtilis reduced significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary combinations of (APS + TPS) microcapsules + B. subtilis has a potential for use in diet formulations for sea cucumbers to significantly increase growth, immunity and disease resistance against V. splendidus infection.     

仿刺参体腔液的抗菌特性

为了解仿刺参体腔液的抗菌谱以及不同二价金属离子对仿刺参体腔液抗菌活性的影响,实验采用生长曲线测定法分别测定了仿刺参体腔细胞破碎液上清和体腔液上清对哈维氏弧菌、灿烂弧菌、希瓦氏菌、假交替单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、溶壁微球菌、停乳链球菌、拟诺卡式菌生长的影响,并通过该法以溶壁微球菌为受试菌测定了海洋环境中常见的Fe2+、Ca2+、Cd2+、Mg2+、Mn2+、Zn2+对仿刺参体腔液上清抗菌活性的影响。结果显示,仿刺参体腔细胞破碎液上清对受试的8株细菌的生长均无抑制作用,体腔液上清对溶壁微球菌的生长有明显的抑制作用,而对其他7株受试菌的生长无明显影响;Mn2+和Zn2+可明显增强体腔液上清对溶壁微球菌的生长抑制作用,而Fe2+、Ca2+、Cd2+、Mg2+对体腔液上清的抗菌活性无明显影响。研究表明,仿刺参体腔液在体外状态下只具有窄谱抗菌活性,与抗菌相关的免疫因子主要存在于体腔液上清中;体腔液中的抗菌免疫因子对海洋环境中的常见二价金属离子有一定的适应性,而且适当浓度的Mn2+和Zn2+可能具有促进仿刺参抗菌应答能力的作用。     

Cryopreservation of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) spermatozoa in experimental and production simulating conditions

A sperm cryopreservation protocol adapted from turbot, was tested on sea bass using either 250-μL straws or 1.5-mL cryovials. A dilution to 1/3 in Mounib s extender and a cooling rate of −65 °C·min⁻¹ allowed frozen sperm to recover an initial motility similar to that of fresh sperm at thawing; however, significant differences in motility (P < 0.001, n = 10 fish semen) were observed at further post-activation times, the motility decrease being faster in thawed sperm. At the experimental scale, triplicate inseminations of 2-mL aliquots (approximately 2 000 eggs) showed a significant fertility decay of thawed sperm compared to that of fresh sperm (P < 0.01, n = 12 fish semen) when a discriminating 35·10³ spermatozoa to egg ratio was applied. When 70·10³ and 200·10³ spermatozoa per egg were provided in the same experimental conditions, no significant difference appeared between the fertilisation rates of fresh and thawed sperm. In order to validate the procedure for production or cryobank purpose, a scaled-up protocol was established. Two and 50 mL batches of eggs (approximately 2·10³ and 50·10³ eggs, respectively) were inseminated in triplicate using either fresh or thawed individual sperms of 5 males with 200·10³ spermatozoa per egg. The mean fertility decreased by 23.5 % due to cryopreservation. This decline was explained by the loss of fertility of only one sperm, and only in large-volume conditions, probably due to the delay of use after thawing.     

饲料中浒苔添加量以及处理方法对幼刺参生长、消化率、消化酶和非特异性免疫酶的影响

采用单因素实验设计,先配制6种浒苔含量(0、5％、10％、15％、20％和25％)饲料饲养初始体质量(1.44±0.01)g幼刺参49 d,然后根据浒苔含量实验结果配制20％含量、3种方法处理的浒苔[干燥粉碎(DC)、纤维素酶酶解后干燥粉碎(DCC)和蛋白酶酶解后干燥粉碎(DCP)]饲料饲养初始体质量(4.58 ±0.23)g幼刺参60 d,以研究饲料中浒苔添加量以及处理方式对幼刺参生长、消化率、消化酶和非特异性免疫酶的影响.实验每组饲料设3个重复,每个重复饲喂35头刺参.结果显示:(1)浒苔对提高刺参特定生长率(SGR)、肠道淀粉酶(AMS)活性和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和降低饲料系数(FCR)有显著作用(P＜0.05),其中20％浒苔含量最好,浒苔能显著降低饲料干物质表观消化率(ADCd)和粗蛋白质表观消化率(ADCp)(P＜0.05),对刺参摄食率(FI)、成活率(SR)、肠道胃蛋白酶(PP)活性和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)无显著性影响(P＞0.05).(2)3种方法处理的浒苔中,DCC和DCP浒苔对提高刺参SGR、ADCd、ADCp、肠道AMS、PP、SOD和ACP活性和降低FCR有显著作用(P＜0.05),其中DCC浒苔最好,3种方法处理的浒苔对刺参FI和SR亦无显著性影响(P＞0.05).在本实验条件下,幼刺参饲料中浒苔适宜含量为20％;纤维素酶酶解后干燥粉碎浒苔是一个理想的浒苔处理方法.     

Gonadal development and expression profiles of gonadotropin genes in wild sea conger, Ariosoma meeki

Reproductive physiology of an anguilliform fish, wild sea conger (Ariosoma meeki) was studied. Spawning season of this species is between July and August, and their oocytes showed synchronous development. mRNA levels of GTH subunits increased in accordance with gonadal development and decreased after spawning. Present results were inconsistent with our previous results in artificially matured Japanese eel.