Sphaerospora testicularis sp. nov. (Myxosporea: Sphaerosporidae) in wild and cultured sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), from the Spanish Mediterranean area

Abstract. A new myxosporean, Sphaerospora testicularis sp. nov., was found in fresh smears from the organs of wild and cultured sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), and seminal fluid from spermiating cultured males. It is distinguished from all previously reported Sphaerospora spp, by the shape and dimensions of the mature spore, its location and the host and its geographical distribution. Only males were parasitized; 2.5% of the wild fish and 6-25% of the cultured fish were infected. In spermiating cultured males, the prevalence of infection increased progressively from 6-9 to 75% during the study period. The parasite causes destruction of the tubular tissue of testes and a reduction or loss of spermatozoa.     

Protozoan parasites of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L., from different culture systems in Spain

Abstract. In a parasitic survey of gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L., cultured in different systems in Spain, eight protozoan species were found. Ectoparasites included two ciliates ( Trichodina sp. and a Cryptocaryon -like species), one dinoflagellate ( Amyloodinium sp.) and the zooflagellate Ichthyobodo sp. Endoparasites were represented by members of the Apicomplexa ( Eimeria sp.) and Myxosporea ( Polysporoplasma sparis. Ceratomyxa sp. and Leptotheca sp.). Ichthyobodo sp., Eimeria sp., Ceratomyxa sp. and Leptotheca sp. are reported for the first time in S. aurata. Amyloodinium sp. and Ichthyobodo sp. were associated with outbreaks of disease in larval and juvenile fish. Data on prevalence and intensity of infection and the location in the host are provided. The potential importance of these protozoan parasites for gilthead sea bream culture is discussed.     

Environmental conditions at sea-cages, and ectoparasites on farmed European sea-bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), and gilt-head sea-bream, Sparus aurata L., at two farms in Greece

Water quality in sea-cages, and metazoan ectoparasites on bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), and bream, Sparus aurata L., were sampled at two fish farms in south-west Greece over 2 years. The seabed and marine life around the cages of one farm was surveyed using scuba. The most frequent and abundant parasites were the monogeans Sparicotyle chrysophrii and Furnestinia echeneis on the gills of bream, and Diplectanum aequans on the gills of bass. The copepod Caligus minimus occasionally occurred in the buccal cavity of bass, but only in low numbers. Prevalence and abundance of parasites increased with bass size but F echeneis levels decreased with bream size. There were no other clear relationships between water quality, parasite levels and fish size. Ammonia varied seasonally with sea temperature, and with oxygen levels below 6 mg 1^-1 on many occasions, it is possible that fish suffered stress from a combination of high ammonia and low oxygen conditions. There was no accumulation of waste food or faeces below the cages at the one farm surveyed, but there were thousands of wild fish, including mullet (Mugilidae), Spicara sp. and Diplodus spp., present around the cages. Water quality may be improved by changes in farm management, such as reducing stocking densities below the present 16 kg nr^-3. Oxygen should be monitored at the cages on site daily. How comparable environmental conditions and impacts, and parasitization are at other bass and bream sea cage farms is unknown.     

Effects of conventional and organic feed on the mineral composition of cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a widely consumed marine fish in Mediterranean areas, and different farming techniques are applied for fish culturing to satisfy the growing demand for seafood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conventional and organic feed on the quality of cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) collected during the growth period. The concentrations of ash, moisture, essential macro‐elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P), micro‐elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) and toxic elements (As, Cd, and Pb) were determined in feeds and in fillets of cultured fish. The results were compared to those obtained from wild sea bass. Results showed that the differences between organic diet‐fed and conventional diet‐fed sea basses varied in relation to the specific element measured and the growth period. The former showed higher concentration of Fe, Mg and Cr, and lower Na content. The amount of P, Na, Fe, Cu and Cr in wild sea bass was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that found in farmed fish. The levels of toxic elements in cultured sea bass were always within the allowed limit for fishery products. Wild samples had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher content of arsenic and lead than farmed sea bass. Cultured fish represent a valuable dietary source of essential macro‐ and micro‐elements. Controlled rearing systems and feedings were related to a decrease in the presence of some toxic metals in cultured fish compared with wild fish.     

Some Protozoan and Metazoan Parasites of the Amberjack From the Balearic Sea (Western Mediterranean)

A survey of protozoan and metazoan parasites of wild amberjack (Seriola dumerili) from the Balearic Sea revealed one myxozoan (Myxobolus sp.), one monogenean (Heteraxine heterocerca), 10 trematodes (Bucephalus polymorphus, Prosorhynchus crucibulum, Bucephalopsis sp., Hemiurus communis, Aponurus sp., Acanthocolpus Iiodorus, Stephanozostomum pristis, Nematobothrium scombri, Wedlia bipartita, Paradeontacylix sp.), one nematode (Philometra globiceps), one copepod (Caligus curtus) and one isopod (Gnathia vorax larva) species to be present. The prevalence and intensity of infection and the distribution of each species is described. Their possible interactions with farmed amberjack are discussed.     

广东省养殖罗非鱼、海鲈、尖吻鲈海豚链球菌感染调查

利用细菌分离培养方法结合特异PCR技术,对广东省珠三角地区养殖罗非鱼(Oreochromis spp.)、海鲈(Lateolabrax japonicus)及尖吻鲈(Lates calcarifer)的海豚链球菌(Streptococcus iniae)感染情况进行了周年调查。每月固定时间在特定养殖区域采集目标鱼的脑、肝、脾、肾和肌肉等组织,并对其进行海豚链球菌的细菌分离培养鉴定。仅从已经患病的尖吻鲈中分离到3株链球菌,经生理生化鉴定和16S rDNA测序确定为海豚链球菌。利用海豚链球菌特异PCR技术对上述养殖鱼类不同组织进行检测,发现罗非鱼、海鲈、尖吻鲈的海豚链球菌感染率分别为30.21%、23.53%、14.55%,其中罗非鱼脑和肌肉的感染率明显较其他组织高(P<0.05),分别为20.65%和23.75%;海鲈的脑部和肌肉感染率也较其他组织高(P<0.05),分别为12.1%和10%;而尖吻鲈各组织感染率没有较大差异(P>0.05)。另外,研究结果还表明采集样本的海豚链球菌感染率随着其体长的增加而呈现下降趋势。     

Molecular evidence for the lack of transmission of the monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea) and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides (Crustacea, Cymothoidae) between wild bogue (Boops boops) and cage-reared sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In the Mediterranean area, wild fish have often been suggested as either the reservoirs of the causative agents or at least the carriers of the pathogens responsible for disease outbreaks in cultured fish. However, no epidemiological investigations on actual pathogen/disease interactions between farmed and wild fish have been conducted even for the most important fish pathogens. Only sporadic isolations and identifications of various pathogens in wild fish have been done and real associations with the pathological conditions that exist within the farm environment and vice versa have not been established. Monogenean ectoparasite Sparicotyle chrysophrii and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides are commonly found in the Mediterranean cage-reared sea bream and sea bass and in the surrounding wild fish population. Both species were recognized as pathogens that seasonally inflict serious losses in fingerlings and juveniles of sea bream and sea bass, being potentially propagated and exchanged during wild and caged fish interaction. In order to evaluate the degree of pathogens transfer between wild and farmed fish, we investigated genetic population structures of these two important parasitic pathogens inferred by mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I locus. Parasites isolated from wild and farmed fish on the two most productive Adriatic fish farms showed genetic heterogeneity, contradicting widely accepted hypothesis of cross-contamination, at least in case of S. chrysophrii and C. oestroides. As far as we know, this is the first report that in a study of pathogen transfer molecular evidence was employed to asses the genetic population structure of shared parasites.     

Parasites of cultured and wild brown‐marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål, 1775) in Lampung Bay,Indonesia

A total of 210 Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (brown‐marbled grouper) was examined for parasites. During three consecutive seasons (two rainy and one dry season from 2002 to 2004), 35 specimens each taken from floating net cages of the National Sea Farming Development Centre (Balai Budidaya Laut) and from wild catches in Lampung Bay, South Sumatra, Indonesia were studied. Twenty‐five (cultured grouper) and 30 (wild grouper) parasite species/taxa were identified, with an infracommunity ranging from one to nine (cultured) and three to 14 parasite species (wild), demonstrating a species‐rich parasite fauna even in the cultured fish. Protozoans (1 species), microsporeans (1), myxozoans (1), digeneans (8), monogeneans (5), cestodes (3), nematodes (8), acanthocephalans (2) and crustaceans (6) were found. The most abundant parasites were the monogeneans Pseudorhabdosynochus epinepheli and Pseudorhabdosynochus lantauensis for both, cultured and wild grouper during all seasons. For the cultured fish, the prevalence of monoxenous ectoparasites (e.g. P. epinepheli, P. lantauensis, Capsalidae gen. et sp. indet., Benedenia epinepheli) was in most cases higher than that of heteroxenous endoparasites. This contrasts the wild grouper, where heteroxenous parasites such as Allopodocotyle epinepheli and Raphidascaris sp. occurred at a similar prevalence compared with the fairly abundant Pseudorhabdosynochus spp. No seasonality of infestation was observed for both cultured and wild fish. The high levels of infestation of potentially pathogenic monogeneans throughout the year could result in significant parasite outbreaks at the locality studied.     

Competition between farmed and wild fish: The French sea bass and sea bream markets

ABSTRACT

Aquaculture is contributing at an increasing rate to the world seafood supply. The interaction between fisheries and aquaculture is especially important for the seafood market where supply of wild and farmed fish can affect price dynamics. We examine market interactions in the French fresh sea bass and sea bream markets. We test for long-term price parity between farmed and wild products for these two species, applying a bivariate cointegration approach to market delineation. We also conduct the Law of One Price (LOP) test between price series. Our data base consists of monthly domestic price series for fish purchased by French households from 2007 to 2012. Our empirical results show that the fresh fish markets for whole wild and farmed sea bream are partially integrated, yet those for whole wild and farmed sea bass are not integrated. The substantially higher price for wild sea bass relative to farmed sea bass suggests that consumers may be more sensitive to seafood production processes when it comes to higher-value species.     

Using trace elements in otoliths to discriminate between wild and farmed European sea bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis> L.) and Gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis> L.)

Trace elements in otoliths of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) and sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) from fish farms and coastal wild populations in the western Mediterranean Sea were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results showed that concentrations of Mg, K, and Mn differed significantly between wild and farmed sea bass, while concentrations of Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Zn, Sr, and Ba varied significantly between wild and farmed sea bream. Discriminate analysis and cross-validation classification showed that the trace element profile in otoliths can be used to separate farmed fish from wild stocks with high accuracy on both sea bass (individuals correctly classified: 90.7 %) and sea bream (individuals correctly classified: 96.6 %). Moreover, trace elements in otoliths resulted to be useful to discriminate among wild fish stocks within each species.     

Lectin histochemical studies on Sphaerospora sp. (Myxosporea) from Italian brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

A Sphaerospora sp. (Myxosporea) infection (presumably S. truttae ) was identified on a trout farm in northeastern Italy. Parasites were detected in kidneys from infected brown trout, Salmo trutta L., over a 2-year period. Extrasporogonic, sporogonic stages and mature spores were simultaneously detected in the same fish. Traditional diagnostic methods for Sphaerospora spp. rely on the detection of the myxosporean developmental stages in Giemsa-stained kidney smears or haematoxylin-eosin stained tissue sections. A histochemical method was employed where 10 biotinylated lectins (Con-A, DBA, SBA, GS-I, PHA-P, LEA, PWM, RCA₁, WGA and UEA-I) and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) were used on Sphaerospora -infected brown trout renal tissues and kidney imprints. Five monoclonal antibodies against PKX (Mab12, MabA3, MabC5, MabD4 and MabB4) were also tested. A lectin glycoconjugate binding pattern for Sphaerospora spp. is presented. This staining method shows that SBA lectin ( Glycine max agglutinin) is a useful tool for the detection of the Sphaerospora spp. Only MabB4 bound some of the most mature sporogonic stages. In contrast Mabs12, A3, C5 and D4, and GS-I lectin ( Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin) did not stain any of the Sphaerospora spp. stages, but did bind very specifically to the sporogonic and extrasporogonic stages of PKX, the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease (PKD).     

Application of non-invasive techniques to differentiate sea bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dicentrarchus labrax</Emphasis>, L. 1758) quality cultured under different conditions

European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, is one of the main species cultured in Europe. In this study, non-invasive techniques such as visible-near infrared spectroscopy and dynamometric analysis were used to discriminate concrete tank–cultured sea bass from sea cage–cultured sea bass. A total of 198 samples were collected at six time points from 3 Italian fish farms. A partial least squares analysis was conducted on individual animals at 48 and 96 h post-mortem to determine whether textural and spectral parameters can discriminate between concrete tank– and sea cage–reared sea bass. The results of this analysis demonstrated that spectral measurements better discriminate individual animals at 48 h post-mortem (87% in the independent test) with respect to 96 h post-mortem (66.7% in the independent test). Differences in texture were observed between the two groups of fish, but the texture changed in the time. The texture in sea cage–cultured fish showed higher values of measured force (N) with respect to fish reared in concrete tanks at 48 h post-mortem. Instead, opposite results were observed at 96 h post-mortem. Fillet colour were influenced by both farm and rearing condition.     

The effects of temperature on sex differentiation and growth of black sea bass (Centropristis striata L.)

To examine the effects of temperature on sex differentiation in the black sea bass ( Centropristis striata L.), a protogynous hermaphrodite, juveniles (∼0.5 g) were cultured in recirculating systems at 17, 21 or 25 °C. Growth was assessed at 155, 182, 241 and 275 days post hatch and sex differentiation was determined histologically. No differences were found in the sex ratios of fish reared at different temperatures, but only 55–64% developed as females. Growth was significantly greater in males across all temperature treatments. These results suggest that black sea bass exhibit sexually dimorphic growth patterns and that female-specific sex determination can be disrupted in culture.     

Emergence of pathogenic betanodaviruses belonging to the SJNNV genogroup in farmed fish species from the Iberian Peninsula

Betanodaviruses are the causative agents of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) or viral encephalopathy and retinopathy (VER) in cultured marine fish. Based on the RNA2 gene fish nodaviruses have been traditionally classified into four different genotypes and recently a fifth genotype has been proposed. This study presents sequencing data of 24 new nodaviruses obtained from three different fish species: sea bass, Dicentrarchux labrax (L.), sea bream, Sparus aurata L., and Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis Kaup, cultured in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Sequence analysis was performed on the T4 region (388 nt) of the coat protein gene. In addition, phylogenetic analysis, according to maximum parsimony and neighbour-joining methods, was performed using these sequences and other nucleotide sequences available in the databases or in the literature. Results obtained indicate that all these new nodaviruses should be classified into the striped jack nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV) genotype. This finding suggests that SJNNV genotype is emerging in the Iberian Peninsula and could easily spread throughout the Mediterranean, representing a serious threat to the fish farming industry.     

Parasitic fauna of farmed freshwater ornamental fish in the northwest of Iran

Ornamental fish farming is globally a key sector of aquaculture. The purpose of this study was to report on the parasitic fauna of ornamental fish from seven farms in the East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran. Between November 2020 and February 2021, a total of 600 freshwater ornamental fish of six species, including goldfish (Carassius auratus), angel (Pterophyllum scalare), guppy (Poecilia reticulata), dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia), swordtail (Xiphophorus helleri), and cichlid (Cichlasoma sp.) were collected for parasitological analysis. Six ciliate protozoan species (Trichodina mutabilis, Trichodina nobilis, Trichodina spp., Heteropolaria lwoffi, Ichthyophthrius multifiliis, and Chilodonella spp.), three species of monogenean trematodes (Dactylogyrus dulkeiti, Dactylogyrus spp. and Gyrodactylus spp.), two species of crustacean arthropods (Lernaea cyprinacea and Argulus japonicus), and a nematode (Capillaria spp.) were identified among the examined fish. Parasites were detected in the fish from 5 of 7 farms, with an overall parasitic prevalence in 26.33% (158/600) of the fish. Fish infection rates with protozoans, monogenean trematodes, crustacean arthropods, and nematodes were 16.83, 13.17, 4, and 0.33% respectively. The highest prevalence was found in X. helleri infected with Gyrodactylus spp. and P. scalare infested with Trichodina spp. Moreover, 9/100 and 10/100 of goldfish were infected with A. japonicus and L. cyprinacea, compared to 2/500 and 3/500, respectively, for all other species in combination, which is a statistically significant result (p?<?0.01). Assessment of farmed fish parasitic fauna is important to inhibit the spread of infections, ensure fish production and improve fish health.

     

Notes on kidney-infecting species of the genus Sphaerospora Thélohan (Myxosporea), including a new species S. gobionis sp.nov., and on myxosporean life cycle stages in the blood of some freshwater fish

Abstract Freshwater fish in Czechoslovakia were examined for species of the genus Sphaerospora Thélohan, 1892 and for myxosporean life cycle stages in the blood. In addition to perch infected with S. pectinacea Bocharova & Donets, 1974, renal tubules of seven host species harboured thus far unidentified Sphaerospora species. A new species, S. gobionis sp.nov. is described from renal tubules of Gobio gobio. In populations of Gobio gobio, Tinea tinea and Rutilus rutilus harbouring infections with different Sphaerospora species, organisms identified as mobile myxosporean life cycle stages were detected in the blood, where they undergo a proliferative cycle. These organisms were reminiscent of stages in the blood of common carp fingerlings, supposedly identical with Sphaerospora renicola Dyková & Lorn. It is possible that the blood stages found in the three cyprinid hosts represent stages of the life cycle of their respective Sphaerospora species. If this is correct, further studies may show if the presence of proliferative stages in the bloodstream is a character distinctive of the genus Sphaerospora.     

Mycobacteria isolated from Chesapeake Bay fish

Mycobacteriosis in fish can result in ulcers, emaciation, and in some cases death. Mycobacteria have been previously isolated from a variety of Chesapeake Bay fish species, and the current study was designed to identify potential host specificity and location fidelity of mycobacterial isolates. Mycobacteria were isolated from wild fish of the Chesapeake Bay collected from the Upper Bay, the Choptank River, Herring Bay, the Chicamacomico River, the Pocomoke River and the Potomac River in 2003–2006. Mycobacterial isolates were recovered from striped bass, Morone saxatilis , Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus , white perch, Morone americana , summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus , spot, Leiostomus xanthurus , largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides , channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus , common carp, Cyprinus carpio carpio , spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus , killifish, Fundulus sp., blueback herring, Alosa aestivalis , American gizzard shad, Dorosoma cepedianum and American silver perch, Bairdiella chrysoura . Twenty-nine well-defined mycobacterial groups resulted from gas chromatography dendrogram clustering of isolates. The majority of groups included more than one host species and more than one site of collection. However, four groups contained only striped bass isolates, three of which were similar to M. shottsii . Therefore, multiple Chesapeake Bay fish species are colonized with multiple mycobacterial isolates, of which few appear to be host or location specific.     

Seasonal Changes in Rigor Development and Flesh Texture of Wild Japanese Sea Bass (Lateolabrax japonicus)

The season for finding the firmest sashimi made from wild Japanese sea bass was investigated. Flesh rigor tension and contraction were measured by a “new” device with isometric (muscle length kept constant) and isotonic (balance beam moves freely) transducers. Both flesh rigor tension and contraction peaks appeared at the same postmortem times, with attainment of ultimate pH and adenosine triphosphate/inosine monophosphate ratio in four seasons. Seasonal seawater temperature correlated negatively to seasonal maximum rigor contraction and positively to seasonal flesh breaking strength at 72 h postmortem. After rigor peak tension attainment, the tension relaxation was much lower than that of other wild fish species, especially in summer. The sea bass muscle resisted structure disruption in rigor isometric tension generation. Wild sea bass sashimi was firmest in breaking strength in summer.