Mesquite bean (Prosopis juliflora) meal in diets of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Nutritional value,growth, physiological responses and health

Two experiments were conducted to assess the nutritional value and potential use of mesquite bean (Prosopis juliflora) meal (MBM) to substitute corn in extruded diets for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Digestible energy and the content of protein, soluble carbohydrates and amino acids were measured for 160 Nile tilapia juveniles (average weight 25.58 ± 5.52 g), allocated to eight treatment groups (four fed the experimental diet, and four fed a reference diet). To determine the inclusion potential of MBM, 384 fish (average weight 21.85 ± 1.01 g) were used and allocated to 24 tanks (1,000 L capacity). The experimental design was completely randomized with six levels of substitution (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%), and four repetitions. After the feeding experiment, tissue samples (blood, liver, muscle and intestine) were used to analyse metabolic and haematological variables. MBM produced apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) similar to those of traditional diet ingredients: 81.85% dry matter (DM), 83.02% crude energy, 88.57% crude protein, 82.88% lysine and 82.57% methionine. Differences were observed in the digestibility of soluble carbohydrates (p < 0.05), with MBM having higher levels of starch (72.19%) and sucrose (88.99%). A 20% substitution with MBM produced a decrease in zootechnical performance (p < 0.05). Enzymatic activity of amylase and sucrose seemed to be induced in response to the proportion of their respective substrate in the diets. We observed a reduction in the efficiency of dietary protein utilization, with reduced levels of plasma amino acids (p < 0.05), owing to the increase in the enzymatic activity of muscular alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST) and the deaminase glutamate dehydrogenase in the hepatic and muscular tissues. Haematological variables did not indicate any adverse effects of MBM on the health status or survival of the fish (100%). Therefore, we conclude that MBM may be a viable alternative to corn meal in the diet, enabling substitution of up to 20%.     

The budget of nitrogen in the grow‐out of the Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum Heller) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum Cuvier) farmed in monoculture and in integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems

This work determined the nitrogen inputs, outputs and accumulation in compartments of stagnant earthen ponds for the monoculture and integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA) of the Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), using recycled hypereutrophic water. A completely randomized experiment was designed with four treatments and three replications: PM–monoculture with 30 prawns/m², FM ‐ monoculture with 3 fish/m², IMTA ‐ polyculture with 30 prawns/m² and 30 fish/m² free, POLY‐CAGE ‐ polyculture with 30 prawns/m² free and 40 fish/m³ in net‐cages. Animals, rain, water, feed, soil, gas, accumulated sludge, and suspended sediments were collected throughout the experiment to determine their nitrogen contents and to calculate the nitrogen budget. Results showed that much of the nitrogen available escapes to atmosphere as N₂ (~40%–56%) after denitrification or accumulated within bottom sludge (~14%–42%). The remaining nitrogen was converted in animal biomass (~5%–21%) or was discharged to receiving waterbodies in the outlet water (~11%–13%). Feed management appeared to influence the major biological processes in the aquatic nitrogen cycle, such as photosynthesis and denitrification. The fish‐prawn IMTA systems converted approximately 53%–75% of feed nitrogen into harvestable products, which is more efficient than the 19%–46% of feed nitrogen converted in the monocultures. However, a large amount of nitrogen is accumulated in the pond bottom in all systems. An increased prawn density or the addition of a mud‐feeder species to the culture may enhance the incorporation of this material in harvested biomass, improving the efficiency of the systems.     

Spontaneous neoplasia in captive syngnathid species: A retrospective case series (2003–2014) and literature review

Syngnathidae (seahorses, pipefish and seadragons) are charismatic species commonly kept in commercial aquaria, but published literature on syngnathid diseases is limited and immunohistochemical techniques not routinely employed. A retrospective review of 2,541 syngnathid submissions received between March 2003 and October 2016 identified 18 neoplasms including germ cell tumours, exocrine pancreatic and intestinal carcinomas, chromatophoromas, and single cases of lymphoma, thyroid and renal carcinoma, swim bladder and pituitary adenoma. Big-bellied seahorses accounted for 19% of submissions, but 50% of neoplasms were diagnosed in this species. This study includes the first reported cases of germ cell tumours, chromatophoroma, thyroid carcinoma and pituitary adenoma in Syngnathidae and the first reports of neoplasia in pipefish species. Out of nine commercial antibodies trialled for immunohistochemical characterization of neoplastic tissue, only pan-cytokeratin proved cross-reactive. Electron microscopy was performed in four cases. Tumours should be considered as differential diagnosis in cases with buoyancy issues, debilitated or emaciated animals, and may predispose to secondary infections. This study highlights the value of histopathological disease surveillance for commercial aquarium settings.     

Effect of diets on carotenoid content,body coloration,biochemical composition and spermatophore quality in the “red cherry” shrimp Neocaridina davidi (Caridea,Atyidae)

In aquarium industry trade markets, Neocaridina davidi, the “red cherry” shrimp, is one of the most attractive ornamental shrimps due to the striking reddish coloration of females. Five commercial diets formulated for ornamental species were evaluated over a 90‐day period in N. davidi males and females, based on survival, biochemical composition, body weight, carotenoid content and body coloration. Furthermore, histological and histochemical analyses of the male reproductive system were performed to evaluate the spermatophore quality. In all treatments, survival was >80%, and protein content was similar in both female and male shrimps. Lipid content was higher in females and males fed on a diet having the highest lipid level. Carotenoid content was higher and body coloration was brighter in females and males fed on a diet containing the highest carotenoid level. Histological and histochemical analyses of the spermatophore structure and composition showed no differences among diets, suggesting that the five commercial diets are adequate for satisfactory growth and spermatophore quality of N. davidi. The diverse sources and quantities of carotenoids in the highest carotenoid level diet render it more suitable for colour enhancement of this species.     

Effect of experimental arginine supplementation on the growth,immunity and resistance of tilapia fingerlings to Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcosis causes serious economic losses to fish farms every year. A four‐week feeding trial was carried out to evaluate arginine (ARG) supplementation in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings challenged by Streptococcus agalactiae. Fish were fed with experimental diets containing five levels of supplementation with 1.39%, 1.76%, 1.97%, 2.18% or 2.39% analysed level of ARG. Each diet was randomly distributed in 30 tanks containing 20 fish/tank. After 30 days, no differences were observed in performance parameters, weight gain, daily weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake or food conversion. After the performance assay, fingerlings were infected with 1.95 × 10⁸ CFU/fish of Streptococcus agalactiae. Mortality was verified daily, and the respiratory burst of leucocytes and nitric oxide production were measured at 0 hr, 24 hr, 7 days and 15 days after infection. The survival rate of the fish is compared using the Kaplan–Meier method, with values of 4.29%, 14.8%, 10.8%, 17.2% and 33.3% for the 1.39, 1.76, 1.97, 2.18 and 2.39 treatments respectively. A reduction in the mortality rate and a boost in the immune responses was observed in all the supplementations of ARG in the diet; however, the best survival rates were obtained in the treatments with 2.39% ARG as well as the most efficient immune responses.     

Quantification of the invasiveness risk of non-native macroalgae in the Azores to support conservation measures

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Bat richness and activity in heterogeneous landscapes: guild-specific and scale-dependent?

Context

The conversion of natural environments into agricultural land has profound effects on the composition of the landscape, often resulting in a mosaic of human-altered and natural habitats. The response to these changes may however vary among organisms. Bats are highly vagile, and their requirements often imply the use of distinct habitats, which they select responding to both landscape and local features.

Objectives

We aimed to identify which features influence bat richness and activity within Baixo Vouga Lagunar, a heterogeneous landscape located on the Central-North Portuguese coast, and to investigate if that influence varies across a gradient of focal scales.

Methods

We sampled bats acoustically, while simultaneously sampling insects with light traps. We assessed the relationships between species richness, bat activity, and activity of eco-morphological guilds with landscape and local features, across four scales.

Results

Our results revealed both scale- and guild-dependent responses of bats to landscape and local features. At broader scales we found positive associations between open-space foraging bats and habitat heterogeneity and between edge-space foraging bats and greater edge lengths. Woodland cover and water availability at an intermediate scale and weather conditions and insect abundance at a local scale were the factors that mostly influenced the response variables.

Conclusions

Globally, our results suggest that bats are sensitive to local resource availability and distribution, while simultaneously reacting to landscape features acting at coarser scales. Finally, our results suggest that the responses given by bats are guild-dependent, and some habitats act as keystone structures for bats within this mosaic.

     

Incidental catch of marine turtles by Italian trawlers and longliners in the central Mediterranean

• 1. The fishing effort and turtle catch of vessels harbouring at Lampedusa island and fishing in the wider central Mediterranean area was monitored using a voluntary logbook programme. Two large trawlers were monitored between 2003 and 2005 and six small vessels using trawl nets, pelagic longline or bottom longline were monitored in the summer 2005.
• 2. The observed turtle catch rates of pelagic longline and bottom trawl were among the highest recorded in the basin, and high catch rates by bottom longline were observed too. This suggests that the area contains major oceanic and neritic habitats for the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta in the Mediterranean Sea.
• 3. When fishing effort is considered, these results suggest a very high number of captures by Italian trawlers and longliners in the area, as well as by fleets from other countries. This is reason of concern for the conservation of the loggerhead turtle within the Mediterranean Sea.
• 4. Different fishing gear have different technical/operational characteristics affecting turtle catch and mortality and the present knowledge about associated parameters of these gear varies too.
• 5. All this considered, specific actions are recommended: (i) an awareness campaign to fishermen to reduce post‐release mortality, (ii) technical modifications to pelagic longline gear to reduce turtle catch, (iii) further investigation into turtle bycatch in all fishing gear, with priority given to bottom longline fishing and quantification of mortality caused by trawlers, (iv) assessment of the turtle populations affected by fishing activity in the area, and (v) international cooperation in undertaking threat assessments, and implementing regulations, management measures and monitoring.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.