Maturing, Spawning and Egg Collecting of the White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone in a Recirculating System

A specially designed recirculating system was used to maintain P. vannamei broodstock for maturation, mating and spawning in the same tank. Two groups of different size shrimp were stocked in this system in Phase I (8 May to 5 September 1989) and Phase II (5 September to 5 December 1989). Results showed that this recirculating system was able to maintain good water quality keeping broodstock maturing, mating and spawning with high stocking density (10 shrimp/m²) and low mortality (6%). Seventy-eight percent of spawned eggs were collected by a submerged egg collector. Mating success was very poor (3.4%) in Phase I even though there was normal spawning frequency. Mating success and nauplii production were much improved in Phase II. During Phase II 104 male and female broodstock housed in a 6 m³ tank produced 1.6 ± 10⁶ nauplii (with 70% mating success) in three months. This study illustrated that broodstock size was a critical factor of successful mating and fertilization for P. vunnamei , and also, reduction of handling stress and lowered disturbance of the shrimp greatly enhanced the mating success.     

Performance of Larval and Postlarval Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone), Fed Two Commercial Liquid Diet Supplements

Abstract

Two commercial liquid diet supplements were evaluated as a partial replacement for live foods fed to larval and postlarval Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Larvae were stocked in 20-L buckets at a density of 113 shrimp/L and fed one of four diets (5 replicate buckets per diet): (1) a control diet consisting of the diatom, Chaetoceros neogracile, and live Artemia; (2) the control diet plus Treflan (a fungicide); (3) LiquaLife liquid larval diet supplements with reduced concentrations of C. neogracile and Artemia; and (4) Epifeed liquid larval diet supplements with reduced concentrations of Artemia. Diets were evaluated by comparing shrimp rostro-caudal length and survival to PL-8, survival to osmotic and pH stress, as well as shrimp gut fullness, gut lipid content, and fouling. Rostro-caudal length and survival to PL-8 were not significantly different among the four treatments. However, mean survival to PL-8 was 12-34% greater in the Epifeed treatment than in the other three treatments. Shrimp fed Epifeed exhibited greater survival (P < 0.05) when exposed to 7 ppt water for two hours than shrimp in the control treatments. In contrast, there was no significant difference in survival (P > 0.05) among the four treatments when shrimp were exposed to apH of 3.35 for two hours. Although shrimp fed liquid diet supplements had more fouling (P < 0.05) than shrimp in either of the control treatments, commercial liquid diet supplements can be used in penaeid shrimp hatcheries to partially replace Artemia without compromising shrimp growth or survival.     

A Toxicokinetic Study of Oxytetracycline Antibiotics in Farmed Pacific White Shrimp,Penaeus vannamei

Toxicokinetics has demonstrated abnormal signs in drug distribution/disposition without waiting until the drug damages the tissues/organs. It is a study of the kinetic assessment of administering high‐dose of oxytetracycline (OTC) to white shrimp. Male Penaeus vannamei in the C–D₀ molting stage, were force fed with medicated feeds at various accurate dose levels including 500, 1000, and 2500 mg/kg‐body weight (BW). After dosing with different time intervals, hemolymph, muscle, and hepatopancreas were collected, and assayed for OTC by validated high‐performance liquid chromatography method. The simulated profile based on the maximum recommended dose was tested to approach the systemic level where the drug was anticipated not to cause significant toxic responses. OTC kinetic profiles in the hemolymph were fitted into the flow limited model having r² value between 0.8341 and 0.9373. The relative affinities for the muscle and hepatopancreas changed at dose level exceeding 1000 mg/kg BW. Although hepatopancreatic clearance was non‐linearly related with dose, the persistence of OTC in muscle after 2500 mg/kg BW dosing was observed to indicate abnormalities in drug distribution/disposition. It was hypothesized that the pharmacokinetic alteration after extreme dosing was because of induction of functional abnormalities in hepatopancreas. In addition, a single administration of OTC at 1000 mg/kg BW was anticipated to be a tolerated dose.     

Inbreeding Effects on Hatchery and Growout Performance of Pacific White Shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei

In animal breeding programs, selection coupled with a narrow genetic base can cause high levels of inbreeding to occur rapidly (in one or two generations). Although the effects of inbreeding have been studied extensively in terrestrial animals and to a lesser extent in aquaculture species, little is known about the effects of inbreeding on penaeid shrimp. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of inbreeding on hatchery and growout performance of the Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. The experiment was conducted over 2 yr, and data from two successive generations (G₂ and G₃) of inbred (sibling–sibling mating) and outbred families were analyzed. There were 11 inbred and 12 outbred families in G₂ and 9 inbred and 10 outbred families in G₃. Inbreeding coefficients (F) for outbred and inbred families were 0.00 and 0.25, respectively, for G₂ and 0.00 and 0.375, respectively, for G₃. Growth rates for outbreds and inbreds were similar in both G₂ and G₃. Hatch rate for inbred families was 33.1% lower than for outbred families in G₂ and 47.1% lower in G₃. Inbreeding depression (IBD) (relative change in phenotype per 0.1 increase in F) ± 95% CI for hatch rate was ?12.3 ± 10.1%. Hatchery survival for inbred families was 31.4% lower than for outbred families in G₂ and 38.8% lower in G₃. IBD for hatchery survival was ?11.0 ± 5.7%. Growout survival was 1.9% lower for inbred families than for outbred families in G₂ and 19.6% lower in G₃. IBD for growout survival was ?3.8 ± 2.9%. There was also a significant linear relationship between IBD estimates for survival traits and mean outbred survival. At high outbred survival, IBD was low (e.g., growout survival in G₂), but IBD appeared to become more severe when outbred survival was lower. This suggests that stress (related to environment and/or life stage) may worsen IBD for survival traits. Results also indicate that moderate to high levels of inbreeding (>10%) should be avoided in commercial shrimp hatcheries because the cumulative effect of IBD on hatch rate and hatchery survival will significantly reduce postlarvae production. Thus, IBD can be significant enough to justify the use of inbreeding as a germplasm protection strategy (under certain scenarios) for genetic improvement programs.     

The Intensive Culture of the Penaeid Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone in a Recirculating Raceway System

Recirculating raceway systems were examined for their potential as a method for the intensive culture of the marine shrimp Penaeus vannamei Boone. The systems consisted of fiberglass raceways 38 m³ (13.7 m ± 2.4 m ± 1.16 m) and 28 m³ (13.7 m ± 2.4 m ± 0.85 m) each equipped with a vertical screen biofilter, foam fractionators and an ultraviolet ozone generator. All of the systems were enclosed in a commercial greenhouse. Four preliminary growout experiments and two growout experiments with stocking densities of 970 shrimp/m³ and 2,132 shrimp/m³ were completed.
Temperature, pH and salinity remained constant throughout the experiments. Unionized ammonia levels remained below 0.2 mg/L. Nitrite levels ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 mg/L. The 2,132/m² stocking density resulted in 48% survival, food conversion ratio (FCR) of 1.8 and an average size of 10.8 g. The 970/m³ stocking density resulted in 82% survival, FCR of 2, and an average size of 14 g. Production was 11.4 kg/m³ (114 tons/ha) and 11.0 kg/m³ (110 tons/ha) for the high and low stocking densities, respectively.     

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.     

南美白对虾肠道细菌菌群分析

对健康养殖南美白对虾胃、肝胰腺、肠道、肌肉中的需氧菌群进行研究。结果表明:胃、肝胰腺、肠道、肌肉中的异氧细菌总菌数分别为5.3×105~6.5×107cfu/g、6.6×105~5.2×106cfu/g、1.4×108~4.5×109cfu/g和1.0×104~1.1×105cfu/g。对从其肠道中分离出来的111株菌株进行属(科)的鉴定。这些菌株分属于13个属(科),发光杆菌属、弧菌属、气单胞菌属、肠杆菌科、黄单胞菌属、土壤杆菌属、芽孢杆菌属、棒状杆菌属、小球菌属、黄杆菌属、产碱杆菌属、假单胞菌属和色杆菌属,还有一株未鉴定的革兰阳性菌。其中优势菌为发光杆菌属、弧菌属,气单胞菌属、肠杆菌科、黄单胞菌属,次优势菌为土壤杆菌属、芽孢杆菌属、棒状杆菌属、小球菌属。     

Relation between lipid and fatty acid composition of eggs and larval survival in white pacific shrimp (Penaeus vannamei, Boone, 1931)

In this study, lipid classes and fatty acid composition were determinedin eggs of P. vannamei as a function of survival to zoeaIII stage. Spawns were reared individually to zoea III and grouped, accordingtotheir final survival to this larval stage, into spawns of high and lowsurvival.Eggs of individual spawns were analyzed for lipid and fatty acid composition ofneutral and polar lipids and the results were then grouped according tosurvivalto zoea III. The lipids within each group (high and low survival to zoea III)were pooled for the separation of phospholipids and the analysis of their fattyacid composition.Higher levels of triglycerides, carotenoids, and linoleic (18:2n-6) acid ineggs were associated with improved survival to zoea III. Linoleic acid washigher in spawns from the high survival group in both neutral and polarfractions and in most of the phospholipid classes analyzed. Docosahexanoic acid(DHA) was not related to survival to zoea, probably because its content washighenough (> 15% of total fatty acids) to satisfy embryo and early larvaldevelopment needs. A high content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was found inphosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, andphosphatidylinositol compared to other phospholipid classes, suggesting aspecific role of EPA in these lipids. These results describe the specificphospholipid composition of penaeid eggs and could (potentially) be used aspredictive indicators of larval quality for research and production purposes.     

Relation between lipid and fatty acid composition of eggs and larval survival in white pacific shrimp (Penaeus vannamei, Boone, 1931)

In this study, lipid classes and fatty acid composition were determinedin eggs of P. vannamei as a function of survival to zoeaIII stage. Spawns were reared individually to zoea III and grouped, accordingtotheir final survival to this larval stage, into spawns of high and lowsurvival.Eggs of individual spawns were analyzed for lipid and fatty acid composition ofneutral and polar lipids and the results were then grouped according tosurvivalto zoea III. The lipids within each group (high and low survival to zoea III)were pooled for the separation of phospholipids and the analysis of their fattyacid composition.Higher levels of triglycerides, carotenoids, and linoleic (18:2n-6) acid ineggs were associated with improved survival to zoea III. Linoleic acid washigher in spawns from the high survival group in both neutral and polarfractions and in most of the phospholipid classes analyzed. Docosahexanoic acid(DHA) was not related to survival to zoea, probably because its content washighenough (> 15% of total fatty acids) to satisfy embryo and early larvaldevelopment needs. A high content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was found inphosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, andphosphatidylinositol compared to other phospholipid classes, suggesting aspecific role of EPA in these lipids. These results describe the specificphospholipid composition of penaeid eggs and could (potentially) be used aspredictive indicators of larval quality for research and production purposes.     

Spawning Frequency Analysis of Wild and Pond-Reared Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei Broodstock under Large-Scale Hatchery Conditions

Second generation Penaeus vannamei broodstack, pond-reared and wild populations, were compared for spawning frequency and several variables associated with reproductive performance. For this purpose, 470 pond-reared and 237 wild-caught individually tagged females were stocked with males of the same origin in ten maturation tanks in a commercial hatchery, and several productivity variables were recorded over time. Results of the analysis indicate that wild shrimp had higher mating and spawning frequencies compared to pond-reared broodstock. The number of nauplii per spawn was higher for wild shrimp, but fertilization and hatching rates were higher for pond-reared spawners. A larger proportion of nonmating females were found in pond-reared shrimp; whereas, wild females had a higher potential for multiple matings. The spawn quality (fertilization and hatching rates, percentage of viable spawns, and number of nauplii) in consecutive matings did not decline substantially. The present study indicates that selection of females with multiple spawning capabilities can be an important commercial strategy to improve nauplii production over the short term. Pond-reared broodstock can be an adequate source for applying this strategy because of their year-round availability and an overall acceptable reproductive performance.     

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.     

Impact of yellow head virus outbreaks in the whiteleg shrimp,Penaeus vannamei (Boone), in Thailand

Yellow head virus (YHV) is known as a major pathogen in the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus (Penaeus) monodon. It can also cause serious mortality in farmed whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei. However, there is no published information on the economic and/or production impact of the disease in P. vannamei. Shrimp with gross signs of YHV disease (faded body colour and 60–70% mortality) were observed in 20 study farms rearing P. vannamei in the central part of Thailand from the end of 2007 through early 2008. The estimated economic loss for these farms according to the Thai Animal Aquaculture Association was approximately US$3 million. Detailed sequence analysis of RT‐PCR amplicons from shrimp in all the study ponds revealed the presence of YHV Type 1b (YHV‐1b) alone (characterized by a 162‐bp deletion in the ORF3 region encoding the structural gene for gp116) and the absence of YHV Type 1a (YHV‐1a), the original YHV type reported from Thailand. Despite the large 162‐bp deletion (= 54 deduced amino acids) in the gp116 structural gene, histopathology of YHV‐1b infections was identical to that of YHV‐1a infections, and electron microscopy revealed that YHV‐1b virions were morphologically indistinguishable from those previously reported for YHV‐1a. In addition, an existing commercial RT‐PCR detection kit and an immunochromatographic test strip for the detection of YHV were proven to have been valid tests for both YHV‐1b and YHV‐1a. The source of the virus for these outbreaks was unlikely to have been the post‐larvae used to stock the ponds, as they were derived from domesticated specific pathogen‐free stocks free of YHV. Thus, it is possible that they originated from an unknown, natural reservoir.     

Evaluation of Three In Vitro Enzyme Assays for Estimating Protein Digestibility in the Pacific White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei1

Abstract— In vitro enzyme assays are rapid, inexpensive techniques for estimating protein digestibility of feed ingredients. Three assays—the Lazo single-enzyme assay with porcine trypsin; the Hsu multi-enzyme assay with porcine trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, and peptidase; and the Satterlee multi-enzyme assay with porcine trypsin, α-chymotrypsin, peptidase, and bacterial protease—were used to estimate relative protein digestibility (RPD) of selected feed ingredients used in diets for the Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Ingredients tested were casein, gelatin, rice bran, shrimp meal, soybean meal, wheat gluten, and six varieties of fish meal. A highly significant, inverse, linear relationship existed between final pH in each of the enzyme assays and in vivo apparent protein digestibility of the ingredient in P. vannamei feeding trials. Ranking of RPD coefficients obtained in the Lazo single-enzyme assay followed closely the ranking of published in vivo apparent protein digestibility coefficients for the same ingredients in P. vannamei digestibility trials. Results indicated that a single-enzyme assay with porcine trypsin identified differences in protein digestibility of feedstuffs in vitro as well as the two multi-enzyme assays tested. The porcine-trypsin, single-enzyme assay appears to be a potentially useful tool for evaluating protein quality and relative protein digestibility of feedstuffs for P. vannamei.     

Preliminary Comparisons of the Native Penaeus setiferus and Pacific P. vannamei White Shrimp for Pond Culture in South Carolina, USA

Two pond experiments were conducted at the Waddell Mariculture Center to compare production characteristics of the native Penaeus setiferus and Pacific P. vannamei white shrimp in South Carolina. In 1985, 7–9 day old postlarval P. setiferus were stocked in one 0.1 and one 0.25 ha ponds, while P. vannamei of the same age were stocked in one 0.1 and one 0.25 ha ponds, while P. vannamei of the same age were stocked in one 0.1, one 0.25, and one 0.5 ha ponds. Both species were stocked at 12 shrimp/m². The shrimp were fed a 25% protein commercial food and harvested by draining after 147 d. Sarvival in all ponds was > go%, but growth and production of the P. setiferus were considerably lower than values obtained for P. vannamei: 12.8 g and 1,555 kg/ha/crop for P. satiferus versus 19.7 g and 2,477 kg/ha/crop for P. vannamei. In 1989, duplicate 0.1 ha ponds were stocked with P. setiferus and P. vannamei at 60 shrimp/m², and two additional 0.1 ha ponds were stocked with P. setiferus at 40/m². The P. setiferus postlarvae were produced at the Waddell Center from captive-reared and wild South Carolina brood stock. Rearing procedures involved paddlewheel aeration (10 hp/ha), regular water exchange (averaging 16–21%/d in all ponds), and use of a 40% protein feed. Due to the availability of postlarvae, the various treatments were stocked at different times. Both P. setiferus treatments were reared for 145 d, while the P. vannamei were reared for 165 d. P. setiferus at the 40/m² density attained mean size, survival, and standing crop biomass at harvest of 13.5 g, 97.5% and 5,259 kg/ha/crop, respectively. The 60/m²P. setiferus treatment was stocked 2 wk earlier and yielded 15.2 g mean weight, 87.5% survival, and 7,995 kg/ha/crop at harvest. The P. vannamei 60/m² treatment, which was stocked 3 wk earlier than any of the P. setiferus, produced mean size, survival and standing crop biomass at harvest of 17.1 g, 69.5% and 7,187 kg/ha/crop. Both survival and production levels would have been higher had not one replicate experienced a partial mortality due to a feeding accident. The 1989 study yielded what is thought to be the highest production levels yet achieved with P. setiferus in pond culture. These results suggest that P. setiferus may be a viable alternative to P. vannamei for intensive cultivation in the continental U.S. when P. vannamei are unavailable. Further evaluation of this potential is needed.     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dynamics in the Biofloc Production of the Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

A study evaluating nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics was carried out using biofloc technology (BFT) systems employed to raise Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles. The study was carried out for 42 d in three fiberglass tanks with 210 L useful volume with no water exchange. Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, nutrients, suspended solids, and chlorophyll‐a were monitored every 3 d. At the completion of the experiment, the shrimp had absorbed 39.1 and 35.0% of the total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs, respectively, while 39.0% of the N and 34.1% of the P remained in the system in dissolved forms. The dominant process of ammonium immobilization in the system was oxidation by nitrifying bacteria. On Day 42, the nitrate concentration represented more than 80% of the total dissolved inorganic nitrogen in all tanks. However, most of the dissolved nitrogen present in the tanks (80%) was organic. Phosphate and organic nitrogen and phosphorus continuously accumulated in the system throughout the experiment. The removal of these nutrients should be the focus of future studies because they may enhance the growth of harmful algae in tanks and in the water bodies that collect the post‐crop wastewater.     

Changes in Biochemical Compositions and Quality of White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) During Storage

ABSTRACT

To understand biochemical characteristics, storage stability, and freshness indicators of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), changes in extractable nitrogenous compounds, microbial count, and sensory rating of white shrimp during storage at 25 and 4°C were investigated. Free amino acids showed a slow increase during storage at 25°C, but no obvious change was found at 4°C. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were found at initial stage and decreased rapidly after storage. Both inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) increased and then decreased during storage. Inosine, hypoxanthine, and the K-value gradually increased with time. The levels of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), NH₃, and trimethylamine (TMA) of white shrimp increased with storage time at 25 and 4°C. The TVB-N, NH₃, TMA, inosine, hypoxanthine, and K-value could be considered as freshness indicators of white shrimp during storage. However, the total plate count did not corroborate the acceptability recommended limits for white shrimp during storage. The sensory evaluation, associated with TVB-N, TMA, and K-value, showed the quality was unacceptable after 6 h storage at 25°C and 7 days at 4°C.     

凡纳滨对虾α-淀粉酶基因的SNPs检测

利用PCR产物直接测序法,对凡纳滨对虾SPR和SPF 2个品种共40个样本的α-淀粉酶基因(GenBank序列号:AJ133526)的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)进行了研究。找到9个SNPs,分别为:C127T、A138G、T951C、T1083C、C1457T、A2147C、A2226G、A2297G和T2306C。其中1个SNP是第4外显子中的错义突变,2个SNPs分别是第5和第7外显子中的同义突变,6个SNPs是内含子中的突变。这些结果可为凡纳滨对虾的研究提供遗传学依据。     

Efficacy of Three Methionine Sources in Diets for Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Abstract.— To examine the need for supplemental dietary methionine and to determine the ability of different methionine sources to meet this need for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, a growth trial was conducted. A control diet (30% crude protein) was formulated to be deficient in methionine by inclusion of high levels of dehulled, solvent‐extracted soybean meal and with no fish meal (methionine level was 0.45% of diet as fed, 1.5% of total amino acids). Three test diets were manufactured based on the control diet but supplemented with l ‐methionine, dl ‐methionine, or an analog of methionine (2‐hydroxy‐4‐methylthio butanoic acid [HMTBA], calcium salt) at the level of 0.5% as fed (equivalent to 1.5% of total amino acids). Cystine was constant among these diets at 0.5% of diet as fed. A commercial feed (30% crude protein) was included as a reference. The culture vessels were flat‐bottomed, cylindrical, black fiberglass tanks (1.5‐m diameter) initially filled with 1000 L seawater and supplied with aeration and seawater from a well at a rate of 2 L/min. At the end of the trial, all surviving shrimp were counted and weighed. The trial was run outdoors, with a mean water temperature of 25.9 C. The mean survival, final weight, growth rate, and feed efficiency of shrimp in the control group were 95.9%, 10.8 g, 0.93 g/wk, and 0.44 g/g, respectively. The mean values of all the test treatments were 96.9%, 11.6 g, 1.00 g/wk, and 0.47 g/g, respectively. The final weight and growth rate of shrimp fed the control diet were significantly lower than those of shrimp fed the methionine‐supplemented diets, indicating that this species has a requirement for dietary methionine. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in any of the parameters among the test treatments, indicating that l ‐methionine, dl ‐methionine, and HMTBA can be used to meet the methionine requirement of this species under these experimental conditions. It is concluded that the three sources of methionine examined in this trial, l ‐methionine, dl ‐methionine, and HMTBA, are similar in their ability to meet the methionine requirement of this species.     

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).     

Experimental Infections with Baculovirus penaei in the White Shrimp Penaeus vannamei (Crustacea: Decapoda) as a Bioassay

Infections of the virus Baculovirus penaei (BP) have historically impacted penaeid shrimp production in both hatcheries and ponds. BP causes cytopathological alterations and mortality in at least four species, including Penueus vannamei . This study established experimental infections with BP in laboratory-reared P. vannamei . The most useful protocol involved BP infection in third substage protozoea (P₃) induced by feeding virus-contaminated material to rotifers and, in turn, feeding those rotifers to the shrimp larva. Infections were also established by delivering virus-containing brine shrimp to mysis (M) and postlarval (PL) stages. When virus originating from infected adults and juveniles was fed to P₃'s, the shrimp exhibited patent infections with hypertrophic nuclei, polyhedra, free virions, and occluded virions five or six days after being fed the virus. In contrast, when the source of virus material was from bioassay larvae rather than from adults and juveniles, similar patent infections developed in P₃'s by one to two days. A significant mortality in the resulting M's and PL's was associated with the infections with short but not long prepatent periods. In experimentally infected shrimp, examination by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed extensive viral infection in many cells in the anterior midgut and as many as 80–90% of the proximal and medial hepatopancreatic tubular cells. Free and occluded virions capable of producing disease ruptured into the gut lumen soon after infections became patent. Tests conducted in 1 L Imhoff cones, 160 L spat-cones, and aquaria all produced infections, usually with a prevalence of 100%. The system provides a useful method to detect and assay for infective agents, to amass infective material for research purposes, and to assess the biology of and host response to the virus under different conditions.