Ovarian maturation stages of the mud crab Scylla serrata

Ovarian maturation in adult wild‐sourced and pond‐grown Scylla serrata (Forsskål) was determined based on gross morphology and histological appearance. There were no significant differences noted in the histological features of both wild and pond‐reared S. serrata females. Ovarian maturation was classified into five stages: immature, early maturing, late maturing, fully mature and spent. The immature ovaries are thin and translucent to off white and contain oogonia, primary oocytes with large nuclei. The follicle cells were found around the periphery of the lobes and an area among groups of oogonia and oocytes. The follicle cells gradually enclosed the oocytes. The early‐maturing ovaries were yellow and small yolk globules started to appear in larger oocytes. In late‐maturing ovaries, the colour became light orange and lobules were apparent. Yolk globules occurred in the cytoplasm with larger globular inclusions towards the periphery, while follicle cells were hardly recognizable. Fully mature ovaries were orange to deep orange and had swollen lobules. Large yolk globules were apparent in the entire cytoplasm. Follicle cells were hardly seen. Spent ovaries were similar to the early‐maturing and late‐maturing stage in partially spawned females. The ovarian development was correlated closely to the gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter, and ovarian histology. The classification of ovarian maturation provides baseline information for further studies on reproductive biology. Likewise, the information provides a guide for broodstock management in the hatchery.     

Difference in the level of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin accumulation between the crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Telmessus acutidens</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Charybdis japonica</Emphasis> collected in Onahama,Fukushima Prefecture

ABSTRACT:     The difference in paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin accumulation in the crabs Telmessus acutidens and Charybdis japonica was investigated at Onahama, Fukushima Prefecture, from 2002 to 2005. The level of toxin accumulation in the hepatopancreas of T. acutidens corresponded to that of mussels when examined on a yearly basis. In 2003, some crabs had a high toxicity of approximately 1000 MU, which compares to one-third of the human minimum lethal dose. Therefore T. acutidens should be monitored as a vector species of PSP toxin. The toxin profile of T. acutidens was also investigated. Because an increase in highly toxic species of PSP toxins with a decrease in low toxic species, such as N -sulfocarbamoyl-11-hydroxysulfate toxins, was not clearly observed between consecutive samples, toxin transformation in T. acutidens was considered to have a minimal impact on toxicity. PSP toxins were also detected in several specimens of C. japonica , but the highest toxicity was only 7.4 MU/g in the hepatopancreas. Because C. japonica is widely distributed in the coastal waters of Japan, investigation of toxin accumulation in the crab should be continued, including its investigation in different areas of water from Onahama, where the causative dinoflagellates of PSP occur in different conditions.     

Acute toxicity of nitrite to mud crab Scylla serrata (Forsskål) larvae

Early larval stages of mud crab Scylla serrata were exposed to different concentrations of nitrite (40, 80 and 160 mg L⁻¹ and a control, without added nitrite) and three salinity levels (25, 30 and 35 g L⁻¹) using a static renewal method. No interactive effect of nitrite and salinity was detected. Estimated LT₅₀ in 96‐h toxicity tests decreased in all stages with increasing nitrite concentrations in all salinity levels. The 96‐h LC₅₀ values of nitrite‐N were 41.58, 63.04, 25.54, 29.98 and 69.93 mg L⁻¹ for zoea 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. As the larvae grew, they showed a progressive increase in tolerance to nitrite. The toxicity of nitrite to larvae increased with exposure time. The median lethal concentration was not affected by salinity. The chloride component of salinity within 25–35 g L⁻¹ did not seem to be as effective in alleviating toxicity as has been reported in other crustacean species. Based on 96‐h LC₅₀ and an application factor of 0.1, the ‘safe level’ of rearing mud crab larvae was calculated to be 4.16, 6.30, 2.55, 2.99 and 6.99 mg L⁻¹ nitrite‐N for zoea 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively.     

Quality improvement by feeding wild-caught edible crab (Cancer pagurus L.): a pilot study

High season for the Norwegian Brown crab fishery (Cancer pagurus L.) is from August to October when meat yield (MY) is high, especially for female crabs. However, the quality of hard‐shelled crabs may vary between and within regions also, at this time of the year. A pilot study was conducted to examine whether feeding could increase MY in wild‐caught medium‐quality females caught during four periods from July to November. Feed intake was compared for crabs fed at different temperatures (3, 5, 8, 10 and 12°C). The crabs were fed three times a week in periods from 15 to 20 days. Feed intake increased with temperatures. Quality, as assessed by MY, was higher for all fed groups compared with reference groups. A clear pattern in quality improvement was seen according to season. Hepatosomatic index increased more than the gonadosomatic in July, slightly more in August, while gonadosomatic development was higher in September. In October, some spawning occurred. The result indicates that feeding had a positive effect, which seemed to increase with increasing temperature. We suggest that the temperature should be at least 12°C in order to achieve an optimal gain in MY when the feeding period is 3 weeks.     

Ovarian development and induced oviposition of the overwintering swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus (Brachyura: Portunidae) reared in the laboratory

ABSTRACT:   Females of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus were cultured under natural temperature and high temperature (21°C) conditions to examine ovarian development and oviposition from autumn (October) to the beginning of breeding season in the following spring (May). Ovaries developed because of vitellogenesis of oocytes from October to December and their developmental state did not change during the overwintering period from December to March. In spring, from late March to mid May, some ovaries reached prematuration and maturation stages and ovipositions began from mid–late April under natural temperature conditions. Females reared in tanks of high temperature regimes oviposited earlier than those reared in tanks of natural temperatures. The number of days to oviposition tended to decrease with advancement of the beginning times (early February to late April) of culture of females under high temperature regimes; induced ovipositions were achieved more easily with increasing photoperiod from c . 12 h in early February to c . 14 h in late April. Therefore, it is inferred that the temperature and photoperiod are important environmental factors controlling ovarian development and oviposition.     

中华绒螯蟹对蛋白质和脂肪消化率的初步研究

在室内控温条件下，以鱼肉粉，小麦粉等为主要原料配成精制饵料，测定了中华绒螯蟹对蛋白质和脂肪的消化率。结果表明，中华绒螯蟹对饵料的蛋白质表观消化率和实际消化率随饵料中小麦粉含量增加而下降，在２４％－５４％饵料蛋白范围内，蛋白质表观消化率（ＡＰＤ）与蛋白质含量（Ｐ）呈正比关系：ＡＰＤ＝７８．１３０３＋０．２４９８Ｐ（ｒ＝０．８５０８，ｄｆ＝４，Ｐ＜０．０２５）；脂肪消化率（ＡＬＤ）则随饵料含脂量（Ｌ）     

河蟹养殖专家决策系统的设计

利用计算机网络和人工智能技术,通过将河蟹养殖方面的科研成果和河蟹养殖专家的宝贵经验系统归纳集成,建立起综合性强、智能化程度高、简单方便的河蟹养殖专家决策系统。河蟹养殖专家决策系统共有9大模块：苗种生产技术决策、河蟹亲蟹越冬技术决策、幼蟹和一龄蟹培育技术、成蟹养殖技术决策、河蟹营养与饵料技术决策、河蟹病虫害防治技术决策、河蟹捕捞技术决策、河蟹池塘产量预测技术决策、无公害河蟹养殖技术决策。     

克瑞森无核与奇妙无核葡萄幼果的内源激素研究初报

克瑞森无核（Crimson Seedless）与奇妙无核（Fantasy Seedless）是美国加州大学弗雷斯诺分校（USDA）杂交选育的无核葡萄品种。2品种在生产中表现出不同的座果习性，克瑞森无核座果率高而奇妙无核座果率低，常导致奇妙无核无经济产量。影响座果率的因素主要有气候条件、树体营养、内源激素的分配等。为此，本研究对2品种的内源激素作了测定。     

茉莉酸和水杨酸对热胁迫下葡萄幼苗抗氧化能力的影响

用50μmol/L茉莉酸和100μmol/L水杨酸预处理葡萄幼苗后,在高温胁迫下,蛋白质含量、抗坏血酸氧化物酶、谷胱甘酞还原酶活性呈现先升后降的变化趋势,抗坏血酸含量持续下降,茉莉酸和水杨酸预处理过的葡萄幼苗中可溶性蛋白质含量、抗坏血酸氧化物酶、谷胱甘酞还原酶活性和抗坏血酸含量与谷胱甘酞含量都高于对照。由此认为茉莉酸和水杨酸能减缓高温胁迫所引起的胁变反应。推测JA和SA处理在诱导葡萄抗热性能上可能具有相似的机理。     

中华绒螯蟹外骨骼矿化期肝胰腺脂代谢与钙离子的相关性

外骨骼矿化不仅是甲壳动物蜕壳过程中的关键环节,而且还关系到甲壳动物蜕壳后的成活和生产效益。虽然已经知道外骨骼矿化期虾蟹类体内钙离子及营养物质发生了变化,但外骨骼矿化期虾蟹类脂代谢特点及与钙离子的关系还未知。因此,本研究以中华绒螯蟹为研究对象,选择蜕壳前期(Premolt stage, D期)和蜕壳后期(Postmolt stage, A-B期)实验蟹各6只,比较两个时期不同组织离子和营养物质变化情况,并进一步通过转录组学分析肝胰腺中营养物质代谢特点。结果表明,蜕壳后期肝胰腺和血淋巴钙离子含量显著降低(P < 0.05),而蜕壳后期附肢肌肉中钙离子的含量则显著升高(P < 0.05),蜕壳后期肝胰腺中钙磷比极显著降低(P < 0.001),附肢肌肉钙磷比与之呈相反的趋势。与蜕壳前期相比,蜕壳后期肝胰腺蛋白质和葡萄糖含量均无显著变化(P > 0.05),而肝胰腺中甘油三酯含量则极显著降低(P < 0.001),肝胰腺甘油三酯和钙离子呈极显著的相关性(P < 0.001)。通过转录组学分析,发现肝胰腺脂代谢相关差异基因113个,89个为上调基因,24个为下调基因。这些差异基因主要富集在类固醇激素合成、甘油酯代谢、脂肪酸分解代谢、甘油磷脂代谢和亚油酸代谢。综上可知,中华绒螯蟹外骨骼矿化过程中,肝胰腺中储存的钙离子被运送至肌肉组织用于新表皮的矿化,该过程和肝胰腺甘油三酯相关;甘油三酯可能被分解为外骨骼矿化提供了能量或者物质基础,以及参与类固醇类激素的合成作用于外骨骼的矿化。