Maternal and cage effects on genetic parameter estimation for Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone

Three sets of full-sib families of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone, produced from females in different reproductive condition (15, 45 and 75 days after ablation and start of production), were used to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations of growth traits for several larval and grow-out stages of development. Heritabilities for early larval length (nauplii) were larger when estimated from families produced 45 and 75 days after ablation than when estimated from families produced 15 days after ablation, indicating a maternal effect caused by lower reproductive quality of the females used to produce the second and third sets. However, the better reproductive quality of females used to produce the first set resulted in significant density effects on larval length, presumably caused by different mortalities occurring among families during larval culture, which also resulted in an increase in the heritability values estimated for late post-larvae stages. After transfer to grow-out cages in a pond, all estimated heritabilities decreased initially, then increased again. The increase in heritabilities was associated with a negative correlation between growth and density in the cages at 58 days. Lowering densities at this age resulted in a decrease in heritability values at 97 days, but an increase again thereafter. The largest genetic correlation with abdominal weight, the trait of most interest for improvement in shrimp, was total weight. That was followed by cephalothorax weight, width of first abdominal segment, abdominal length and total length. Among these, the trait with a consistently large heritability at 58 and 97 days, and with a large genetic correlation with abdominal weight, was width of first abdominal segment. This trait might provide a secondary or indirect trait to improve abdominal weight when combined with total weight for a selection programme.     

Response of biota to aeration rate in low water exchange ponds farming white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone

The response of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos to four aeration rates was evaluated in ponds farming white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, with less than 5% water exchange. Phytoplankton biomass (measured as chlorophyll-fl) was higher in ponds with aeration rates of 0 and 6 h day^?1 than in those with rates of 24 hday^?1. The abundance of zooplankton and benthos (organisms m^?2) were higher in ponds with aeration rates of 0 and 6 h day^?1, and lower in ponds with rates of 12 and 24 h day^?1. The nauplii of different crustaceans, copepods and larval polychaetes were the most abundant organisms of the zooplankton community. Differences in zooplankton composition were observed among treatments. Polychaetes were the most abundant benthic organisms during the culture period. These organisms were more abundant in ponds with lower aeration rates. The guts of shrimp from ponds with aeration rates of 0 and 6 h day^?1 had a higher abundance of zooplankton and benthic organisms than those from the other treatments. That abundance decreased over time in all treatments. Shrimp had better growth in ponds with an aeration of 6 hday^?1. Survival and yield were similar in ponds with aeration rates of 6, 12 and 24 h day^?1, and lower in ponds with rates of 0 h day^?1.     

Genetics of the resistance to hypoxia in postlarvae and juveniles of the Pacific white shrimp Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei (Boone 1931)

The genetics of resistance to hypoxia was studied in shrimp using two approaches, heritability estimation and heterosis estimation. The heritability of resistance to hypoxia was evaluated in two populations of shrimp postlarvae families produced at different times, and heterosis was estimated through the reciprocal crosses of two genetically distinct shrimp populations at postlarvae and juvenile. Heritabilities of resistance to hypoxia in postlarvae were large and out of the range for the heritability (1.73±0.09, 1.35±0.14) regardless of population evaluated. When covariates (survival and mean total weight to postlarvae 15 days old) were introduced in the analyses to correct for effects during rearing of the larvae, the heritabilities did not change substantially for the first population, but were decreased for the second population depending on the covariate used for correction (1.15±0.10 and 1.08±0.11 for the covariates survival and total weight respectively). Those large heritabilities could be explained by the presence of confounded common environmental variance in the estimated genetic variance (maternal effects), or by dominance and epistatic effects being an important part of the estimated genetic variance. Heterosis analyses dissecting maternal effect indicated that both effects, maternal and dominance, are involved in the resistance to hypoxia at postlarvae, and that although maternal effects decreased at juvenile stage, the trait was still characterized by presenting a large heterosis value (62–65% for postlarvae and 36% for juveniles).     

White spot syndrome virus epizootic in cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in Taiwan

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has caused significant losses in shrimp farms worldwide. Between 2004 and 2006, Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) were collected from 220 farms in Taiwan to determine the prevalence and impact of WSSV infection on the shrimp farm industry. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis detected WSSV in shrimp from 26% of farms. Juvenile shrimp farms had the highest infection levels (38%; 19/50 farms) and brooder shrimp farms had the lowest (5%; one of 20 farms). The average extent of infection at each farm was as follows for WSSV‐positive farms: post‐larvae farms, 71%; juvenile farms, 61%; subadult farms, 62%; adult farms, 49%; and brooder farms, 40%. Characteristic white spots, hypertrophied nuclei and basophilic viral inclusion bodies were found in the epithelia of gills and tail fans, appendages, cephalothorax and hepatopancreas, and virions of WSSV were observed. Of shrimp that had WSSV lesions, 100% had lesions on the cephalothorax, 96% in gills and tail fans, 91% on appendages and 17% in the hepatopancreas. WSSV was also detected in copepoda and crustaceans from the shrimp farms. Sequence comparison using the pms146 gene fragment of WSSV showed that isolates from the farms had 99.7–100% nucleotide sequence identity with four strains in the GenBank database – China ( AF332093 ), Taiwan ( AF440570 and U50923 ) and Thailand ( AF369029 ). This is the first broad study of WSSV infection in L. vannamei in Taiwan.     

Quantitative genetic parameter estimates for size and growth rate traits in Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) when reared indoors

Heritabilities of size traits and growth rate traits, as well as genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlations were estimated at three ages for a captive population of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) grown indoors. A covariate, mean size or mean growth rate during early growth in individual tanks before tagging and mixing, was introduced in the analyses to reduce the error caused by unique previous growth conditions on variance components. Heritabilities of size traits increased with age, with the h² for TL, AL, TWt and Wi1AS being 0.15, 0.20, 0.20 and 0.22, respectively, at 17 weeks, increasing to 0.28, 0.33, 0.34 and 0.35 at 29 weeks of age. Heritabilities of growth rate traits estimated between consecutive growth periods decreased from the first (h² for ΔTL 0.65, ΔAL 0.71, ΔTWt 0.63 and ΔWi1AS 0.84) to the second period (h² for ΔTL 0.34, ΔAL 0.50, ΔTWt 0.54 and ΔWi1AS 0.52). Phenotypic correlations were always larger than genetic correlations for both, size and growth rate traits. Genetic correlations between size traits within age were high (r_G >0.95), but those between the same size trait at different ages decreased as the age difference increased in spite of a consistently high environmental correlation (r_E 0.80–0.85) between the same trait at different ages. Phenotypic and genetic correlation's between the same growth rate trait at the two different growth periods evaluated were negative or zero (r_G TL –0.26, AL –0.24, Wi1AS 0.00) with the exception of total weight (r_G TW 0.35) and the environmental correlations between growth periods were also low (r_E 0.13–0.32).     

Genetic parameters for spawning and growth traits in the Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei)

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for spawning traits and growth traits in a breeding line of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, selected for growth and survival. Traits studied were number of eggs (NE) and number of nauplii (NN) and female body weight at insemination (FWI) and body weight at 130 days of age (BW130). Genetic parameters were estimated using a multivariate animal model. Heritability for NE and NN were estimated as 0.13 ± 0.04 and 0.03 ± 0.04 respectively. The contribution to NN total variation due to ‘factors associated with male’ effect was estimated as 0.47 ± 0.07. In the cases of FWI and BW130, heritability was estimated as 0.44 ± 0.08 and 0.19 ± 0.03 respectively. Genetic correlation between FWI and NE was estimated as 0.49 ± 0.15, between FWI and NN as 0.54 ± 0.39 and between NE and NN as 0.27 ± 0.41, whereas the genetic correlations of FWI, NE and NN with BW130 were 0.30 ± 0.13, ?0.21 ± 0.19 and ?0.25 ± 0.38 respectively. Although it is important to perform more studies on this issue, our results found no evidence of a genetic antagonistic effect between female reproductive traits and body weight at harvesting (130 days of age) in P. vannamei.     

山区淡水池塘养殖南美白对虾试验

南美白对虾 (PenaeusvannameiBoone) ,又称凡纳对虾 ,原产于南美太平洋沿岸水域 ,是当今世界上公认最有前途的三大养殖虾类之一。它具有生长速度快、适应性强、盐度适应范围广、繁殖周期长、低盐度淡化养殖中病害少等优点 ,是山区池塘调整养殖结构、优化养殖品种、提高养殖效益的优良品种。为进一步探索南美白对虾在闽西地区稳产高效养殖技术 ,笔者于 2 0 0 3年 7月进行了南美白对虾池塘养殖试验 ,取得了一定经济效益和经验。现将试验情况总结如下。1　材料和方法1 .1　池塘条件　池塘选择在临城镇西郊村 ,面积0 .2 2hm2 ,池塘平均深度 2 .…     

Genetic variation of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) culture of Thailand

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is highly pathogenic to penaeid shrimp and has caused significant economic losses in the shrimp farming industry in Thailand. Genotyping analysis was done in 124 WSSV isolates from cultured Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. These samples were obtained during 2007–2014 from eight provinces in Thailand. We investigated five variable loci in the virus genome: deletions in two variable regions, VR14/15 and VR23/24, and three variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) located in open reading frame (ORF) 75, 125 and 94. WSSV genotype was characterized as (X_14/15, X_23/24) (N₇₅‐N₁₂₅‐N₉₄) where X is the number of base pair deletion in the variable region and N is the number of repeat units (RUs) in a specific ORF. The deletion pattern in VR14/15 and VR23/24 regions characterized three WSSV genotypes. The most prevalent genotype was (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24), and it was found in all studied areas. At least 33 genotypes of WSSV were analysed based on 3 VNTR loci, indicating that the VNTRs of WSSV genome are highly variable. From 124 WSSV samples, two samples presented the characteristic of all five variable loci similar to WSSV collected during 2010 in Saudi Arabia (5950_14/15, 10971_23/24) (3₇₅‐6₁₂₅‐7₉₄). Many different WSSV genotypes shown in this study as compared to previously reported genotypes in Thailand suggests current status of disease epidemiology, as well as probable movements of WSSV between countries.     

Genetic differentiation in hatchery strains and wild white shrimp Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei (Boone, 1931) from northwest Mexico

Ten enzymatic systems were analyzed to determine allozyme genetic differentiation among three hatchery strains (A, B and C) of white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, commonly used in shrimp farming in northwest Mexico. A wild population from northern Sinaloa was used as a reference. Fifteen loci were detected, nine of which were polymorphic (ACP-1*, ACP-2*, AKP-2*, EST-2*, EST-3*, EST-4*, EST-5*, LAP*, and LDH*). Polymorphism of A, B and C were 53, 53, and 40%. The mean observed heterozygosity per locus was 0.071, 0.093, and 0.050 without any significant difference among them or with respect to the wild population (0.056). In all samples observed heteroxygosity was smaller than expected. The mean number of alleles per locus was 1.8 in A and 1.87 in both B and C. Strain A was the only sample without rare alleles. Only EST-3* and LAP* of strain A were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; the other loci were in disequilibrium in all samples. High inbreeding values and heterozygote deficiencies were detected in all samples. Distribution of allelic frequencies was heterogeneous among the samples (G-test), involving all polymorphic loci and suggesting a genetic differentiation. According to Fst, a moderate genetic differentiation (7.4%) was detected among the samples. Greater differences were between strains A and C. Based on genetic distance, the samples were grouped into two pairs, B–C and A-wild. Strain A is a young strain related to the wild sample, whereas strains B and C have a different geographic origin than the wild sample.     

Quantitative dietary threonine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared in low-salinity water

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the threonine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low-salinity water (0.50–1.50 g L⁻¹). Diets 1–6 were formulated to contain 360 g kg⁻¹ crude protein with fish meal, wheat gluten and pre-coated crystalline amino acids with six graded levels of l -threonine (9.9–19.0 g kg⁻¹ dry diet). Diet 7, which was served as a reference, contained only intact proteins (fish meal and wheat gluten). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.48±0.01 g), each four times daily. Shrimps fed the reference diet had similar growth performance and feed utilization efficiency compared with shrimps fed the diets containing 13.3 g kg⁻¹ or higher threonine. Maximum specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio were obtained at 14.6 g kg⁻¹ dietary threonine, and increasing threonine beyond this level did not result in a better performance. Body compositions, triacyglycerol and total protein concentrations in haemolymph were significantly affected by the threonine level; however, the threonine contents in muscle, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities in haemolymph were not influenced by the dietary threonine levels. Broken-line regression analysis on SGR indicated that optimal dietary threonine requirement for L. vannamei was 13.6 g kg⁻¹ dry diet (37.8 g kg⁻¹ dietary protein).     

低盐度条件下的凡纳滨对虾幼虾亮氨酸营养需求

为了探讨低盐度(0.6～0.8 g/L)条件下初始体质量为(0.38±0.004)g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)幼虾的亮氨酸需求量,以鱼粉、花生麸和L-晶体氨基酸为蛋白源配制含粗蛋白400 g/kg的6种等氮饲料,标记为L7～L12组,各组亮氨酸水平分别为15.95、17.95、19.95、21.95、23.95和25.95 g/kg(饲料干物质).每组3个重复,每个重复30尾虾,进行56 d生长实验.结果表明,凡纳滨对虾幼虾的增重率随饲料亮氨酸水平的升高而升高,当亮氨酸水平达到23.95 g/kg(L11组)时,增重率达到最高值(1143.11±36.40)％,显著高于L7组(P＜0.05);亮氨酸水平继续提高,增重率变化不显著(P＞0.05).幼虾的蛋白质效率、全虾体蛋白沉积率和血淋巴总蛋白随着饲料亮氨酸水平的升高呈现升高趋势,最高值出现在L11组,并显著高于L7组(P＜0.05).各实验组饵料系数、血淋巴谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性和尿素氮含量则呈现降低的趋势,最低值出现在L11组,且显著低于L7组(P＜0.05).以增重率为指标,根据折线模型可知,低盐度条件下凡纳滨对虾幼虾的亮氨酸最适需要量为24.80 g/kg饲料,即61.99 g/kg饲料蛋白.     

Quantitative dietary isoleucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared in low-salinity water

This study was designed to determine the isoleucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low-salinity water (0.50–0.70 g L^?1). Six diets were formulated to contain 410 g kg^?1 crude protein with fish meal, peanut meal and pre-coated crystalline amino acids with different concentration of l-isoleucine (9.35, 11.85, 14.35, 16.85, 19.35, and 21.85 g kg^?1 dry diet, defined as diet I1, diet I2, diet I3, diet I4, diet I5 and diet I6, respectively.). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate treatments of 30 shrimps (0.43 ± 0.005 g), and the feed trial lasted for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the weight gain significantly increased with increasing isoleucine concentration up to 14.35 g kg^?1 (diet I3), whereas it was reduced in the treatments exceeding 16.85 g kg^?1 isoleucine (diet I4) significantly (P < 0.05). Moreover, the highest body protein deposition and protein efficiency ratio, and the lowest feed conversion ratio, haemolymph aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were also found at treatment I3–I4 (P < 0.05). And the haemolymph urea nitrogen concentration of shrimps-fed diet I6 was particularly higher than those fed with diets I1–I5 (P < 0.05). The results of polynomial regression based on weight gain, feed efficiency and body protein deposition indicated that the optimal dietary isoleucine requirement for L. vannamei reared in low-salinity water was 15.95 g kg^?1 isoleucine of dry diet, correspondingly 38.81 g kg^?1 of dietary protein.     

Evaluation of cholesterol additions to a soyabean meal-based diet for juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (Boone), in an outdoor growth trial

Cholesterol is considered a required nutrient for penaeid shrimps, but an optimal level has not been defined. A 68-day grow-out trial was conducted in 1300-L outdoor tanks in Hawaii, USA, to determine the cholesterol level required in a soyabean meal-based diet for juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei (Boone). Test feeds were prepared by adding six cholesterol levels (1.0-10.2 g kg^?1, as-fed basis) to a standard diet high in plant-protein meals, starch and flour. These feeds were provided to the shrimp three times daily. Harvest weights and weekly growth increments varied significantly among diets. The 2.3 g kg^?1 and 4.2 g kg^?1 cholesterol diets yielded better growth than the 1.0 g kg^?1 and 10.2 g kg^?1 diets. Survival and feed conversion ratios did not vary significantly among diets. Significant dietary cholesterol effects on growth of P. vannamei in conditions resembling commercial grow-out indicate that its inclusion in practical diets at more accurately defined levels is necessary. Optimal cholesterol levels for juvenile shrimp may be lower than those now utilized, and may vary relative to the contribution of free sterols from natural foods in shrimp ponds.     

南美白对虾细菌性白斑病与病毒性白斑的区别及防治对策

南美白对虾在养殖过程中如果受到细菌和病毒的侵袭,头胸甲壳上有点状或鱼鳞状白斑。一些养殖户对白斑病十分害怕,认为一旦对虾患上白斑病,就无法治愈了,其实,很多白斑病是可以治愈的。现将南美白对虾细菌性白斑和病毒性白斑的症状、预防措施和治疗方法做一介绍。     

Stimulating effects of pond water on digestive enzyme activity in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone)

Crude enzyme extracts were obtained from the digestive glands of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), reared in oligotrophic well water and eutrophic shrimp pond water to compare digestive enzyme activity between the two groups. Specific activities of serine protease, collagenase, amylase, cellulase, lipase and acid phosphatase were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in pond water‐reared shrimp (PW shrimp) than in well water reared‐shrimp (WW shrimp). For most enzymes assayed, specific activity was more than two times higher in PW shrimp, and cellulase activity was over six times higher. In contrast, chitinase activity was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in WW shrimp. Higher specific activity of most digestive enzymes in PW shrimp was probably due to natural productivity in the pond water that served as a source of organic substrates, and this increased activity may contribute to the growth‐enhancing effect of shrimp pond water.     

南美白对虾与罗非鱼混养试验

近两年,由于南美白对虾养殖面积不断增加,池塘老化、种质退化和养殖病害的猖獗,造成虾池养殖经济效益大幅度下降,养殖风险不断增大,大部分养虾户出现亏损,严重影响我省对虾养殖业的发展.在这种情况下,笔者进行了南美白对虾与罗非鱼混养试验,结果表明:混养能够增强养殖水体的自净能力,阻断虾病的蔓延,具有较高的经济效益.