Effects of different feed stimulants on freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), fed diets with or without partial replacement of fish meal by biofeed

The feeding trials were carried out with freshwater crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) to evaluate the three feed stimulants betaine (Bet), squid extract (SE) and squid meal (SM) upon fish meal (FM) diets or biofeed (BF) diets in which FM were partially replaced by BF. Results showed the three feed stimulants had no significant effect on growth. By the relative concentration of markers in the faeces and diets, the preference for each diet was estimated, and the best stimulant was the mixture of Bet, SE and SM. As FM replaced by BF increased, added with the mixture, the relative weight gain showed an increasing trend, but decreased significantly by 30% replacement. With the substitution increasing, trypsin activities increased, whereas decreased too upon 30% substitution. Less than 30% replacement, there was no significant effect on muscle proximate composition, intestine amylase activities and serum haemocyanin contents, except the drop of lipid. The results indicated that the mixture of Bet, SE and SM could perform well as a feed stimulant. And with the addition of the mixture, FM in the diet could make about no more than 20% saving without any adverse effects.     

Eggs and hatchlings of the freshwater crayfish, marron (Cherax tenuimanus Smith), can be artificially incubated at high population densities, and are most successfully incubated at water temperatures between 20°C and 24°C

This study tested two premises. First, that there is a range in water temperature within which to artificially incubate marron eggs and hatchlings, which enables a combination of rapid development, high survival, and the production of large juveniles. Second, that the population density of marron eggs and hatchlings incubated artificially can be increased without altering development time, survival, or juvenile body weight. Marron eggs were collected from 31 gravid females and artificially incubated at four water temperatures (i.e. 16°C, 20°C, 24°C, 28°C), while eggs were collected from eight females and artificially incubated at three population densities (i.e. 0.35, 0.70, 2.80 eggs mL^?1). The eggs and hatchlings were assessed for development time and survival as they hatched and developed into juveniles. The juveniles were weighed at the conclusion of the incubation period. As water temperature was increased from 16°C to 28°C, there was an inverse curvilinear relationship between development time and water temperature, the time required for the eggs to hatch and develop into juveniles decreasing from 70.2 to 24.5 days. However, at 16°C and 28°C, the survival of the eggs and hatchlings was reduced (i.e. 83.8% and 87.7% at 20°C and 24°C vs. 70.4% and 57.5% at 16°C and 28°C), while incubation at 28°C resulted in the development of small juveniles (i.e. 29.7, 29.2, and 28.5 mg at 16°C, 20°C, and 24°C vs. 25.1 mg at 28°C). In comparison with water temperature, increasing the population density of the eggs and hatchlings from 0.35 to 2.80 eggs mL^?1 did not have a significant effect on development time, survival, or juvenile body weight. The two premises tested in this study were supported, demonstrating that marron eggs and hatchlings can be artificially incubated at high population densities, and are most successfully incubated in water maintained between 20°C and 24°C.     

甲壳素生产废水提取虾青素及水解蛋白的工艺研究

以小龙虾壳为原料,按酸碱交替法生产的甲壳素,蛋白质和虾青素等物质流失于废水中,采用壳聚糖作絮凝剂,可将虾青素与蛋白质絮凝沉淀。试验结果表明:调节pH值6.0,每升废水中添加40 ml 1%壳聚糖醋酸水溶液,静置3 h,废水中溶液的透光率最低,絮凝物蛋白质回收率达88.6%。使用几种蛋白酶水解絮凝物,其中风味蛋白酶水解度最大,在初始pH值6.5,水解温度55℃,试验确定:选用风味蛋白酶1.5 g/kg絮凝物,固液比1:2时,保温酶解时间4 h,虾青素提取率可达4.49%。该条件下絮凝物蛋白质的水解度为23.8%。提取虾青素并将水解后的蛋白浓缩,喷雾干燥,制成水解动物蛋白,产品不苦,具有良好的风味。     

Individual food intake measurement of freshwater crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana) juveniles

The inert marker method for individual food intake measurement of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana) juveniles (carapace length (CL) ranged from 16.5 to 25.6 mm and wet weight (WW) from 0.88 to 4.47 g) was evaluated in a series of experiments. The measurement technique was tested with two types of diet: a gelatin‐based semi‐moist diet and an agar‐based dry diet. Diets were labelled with X‐ray dense ballotini glass beads. After feeding, juveniles were X‐rayed, and the amount of ingested glass beads in the digestive track was counted from the X‐ray images. The method proved reliable only with the gelatin diet. In the ingested gelatin food, 92.80±8.55% of the glass beads originally in the food were found in comparison with 40.99±24.72% for the agar diet. Subsequently, the growth efficiency of the gelatin diet was compared with typically used raw fish diet (roach, Rutilus rutilus L.), and possible harmful effects of X‐raying on the growth and survival of the juveniles were tested on 2‐year‐old crayfish (CL 22.90±1.66 mm and WW 3.15±0.71 g). Roach‐fed juveniles grew significantly faster than the gelatin‐fed counterparts. However, the growth performance and survival of the juveniles on gelatin diet was considered good enough to allow long‐term growth experiments with individual feed intake monitoring, e.g. for studies on social behaviour of the crayfish. The results of this study confirmed that the X‐radiography technique together with a semi‐moist gelatin‐based diet makes it possible to measure individual food consumption of freshwater crayfish juveniles reared communally.     

SHORT COMMUNICATION: Importance of adequate shelters for crayfishes maintained in aquaria

In short term experiments with different combinations of shelter types and sizes, shadow is the primary factor influencing shelter-seeking behaviour of both juvenile and non-breeding adult Orconectes rusticus and Procambarus clarkii     

Inhibitory effect of enokitake extract on melanosis of shrimp

ABSTRACT:  The inhibitory effect of 70% acetone extract of enokitakemushroom Flammulina velutipes on the mealnosis of shrimp Trachypenaeuscurvirostris was investigated. The acetone extract effectivelyprevented the mushroom tyrosinase activity as well as melanosisof American crayfish Procambarus clarkii hemolymph. Wheneach of two fractions of the acetone extract, which were unadsorbedon both of Dowex 50W X8 and/or DEAE-TOYOPERAL 650 columns,was mixed with hemolymph of the American crayfish, the melanosisthat usually occurs in the heparinized hemolymph was effectivelyprevented. Immersing shrimp in the acetone extract of enokitakemushroom delayed the color darkening usually found in the post-mortemshrimp. These observations suggested that enokitake mushroom containedcertain compounds that inhibit the formation of melanin due to thecatalytic oxidation of polyphenol oxidase, as well as mushroom tyrosinaseactivity.     

Pathways to impact for aquatic conservation science via multi‐modal communication and stakeholder engagement

1. Translating scientific evidence into practical actions is a primary goal of scientists working to inform evidence‐based policy and decision‐making, but how can authors best facilitate new conservation interventions following publication of their research?
2. This case study used two articles in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems (AQC) to examine the mechanisms and barriers to translating published aquatic science into social, ecological and policy interventions for the conservation of threatened Murray crayfish (Euastacus armatus).
3. These articles revealed how steep declines in Murray crayfish abundance arose from the loss of in‐stream and riparian habitats preferred by crayfish, and demonstrated the social reasons for conserving Murray crayfish to protect the wellbeing of a diversity of people (e.g. Traditional Owners, landholders, ecotourism operators).
4. Following publication of these articles in AQC the authors used multi‐modal communication (e.g. written briefs, personal discussions, seminars, magazine articles, media broadcasts) to translate their findings to stakeholders and the general public.
5. Analysis of relevant documents (e.g. management plans, public information leaflets) and stakeholder interviews uncovered a range of interventions arising from the two AQC articles. Social interventions (e.g. new public signage, ecotourism briefings) were the quickest to occur after publication (1–2 years). Although some changes in management were apparent (e.g. revised Murray crayfish action plans, monitoring programmes), systemic barriers (e.g. policy/funding timeframes) have prevented some ecological and policy interventions from being realized.
6. Diverse communication strategies can help rapidly translate published science into new conservation actions by giving stakeholders the right evidence in the right way to inform their particular practice. Open‐access summaries that explain findings within readily shareable media (e.g. graphical/video abstracts) can be particularly effective in raising early awareness. Some types of intervention, however, may require a long‐term perspective and assistance from boundary‐spanning knowledge brokers with an aptitude for evidence‐based policy development.

     

Effects of bottom substrate and presence of shelter in experimental tanks on growth and survival of signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana) juveniles

The effects of tank bottom substrates and presence of shelter on growth, survival and condition of cheliped in the juvenile (stage 2) signal crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana), with an initial stocking density of 200 individuals m^?2 were investigated. In the first trial, three different tank bottom substrates with or without shelter were used. The three bottom types were loose gravel, glued gravel and bare bottom. The fastest growth both in terms of wet weight and carapace length was observed on loose gravel bottom. Also survival (range 30.1% to 49.8%) was affected by bottom type being higher on gravel bottoms than on bare bottom. Shelter improved survival only on loose gravel bottom. Bottom type influenced also the number of animals with cheliped injuries. The highest proportion of animals with no injuries (59.5%) was found on bare bottom and the proportion was about 12% and 13% units less on loose gravel and on glued gravel bottom. The presence of shelter had a marginal probability in increasing the number of animals without injuries. In the second trial, the substitution of ordinary gravel as tank bottom substrate with crushed limestone was studied. The mean final wet weights were 0.517 g on ordinary gravel bottom and 0.481 g on limestone bottom. The survivals were about 74% and 80% respectively. Limestone bottom decreased marginally final wet weight, and increased survival but did not affect the final carapace length that had a mean value of 13.6 mm. We conclude from the present experiments that the type of tanks and the rearing system used supported good growth of juvenile signal crayfish. The best growth results could be obtained by using loose gravel (or loose limestone) on the bottom of the tanks with a sufficient quantity of hiding places. However, there appears to be an increased risk for cheliped injuries on bottoms with loose materials.     

Impact of hydropattern disturbance on crayfish population dynamics in the seasonal wetlands of Everglades National Park,USA

1. The natural hydropattern in the seasonally‐flooded marl prairie wetlands of Everglades National Park has been severely disrupted by human water control activities, seriously impacting higher trophic organisms, e.g. wading birds, that depend on these wetlands. Less is known about the impacts on key aquatic fauna, such as crayfish Procambarus alleni, or how these populations might respond to proposed habitat restoration strategies. 2. Under severe environmental stress, populations of burrowing crayfish are predicted to have skewed size structure, low reproductive success, low survival, and widespread dispersal. As predicted for populations in stressed habitats, crayfish density was low, small dispersing adults were dominant, juvenile abundance was low, and survival was low in habitats where the hydroperiod (duration of flooding) was short and groundwater level was lowest. 3. Crayfish dispersed during flooding, but during the drydown, they burrowed rather than sought deeper water. This dispersal strategy may be adaptive for surviving in seasonal wetlands, but this had severe consequences on survival in disturbed habitats with shortened hydroperiods. Survival in burrows during the dry season was high in the longer‐hydroperiod habitats but was zero in the short‐hydroperiod habitat where the groundwater level fell more than 1 m. 4. Long‐hydroperiod marl prairie may function as sources, whereas short‐hydroperiod habitats act as population sinks. Our study suggests that the threshold conditions for preventing mass mortality of crayfish in these wetlands are hydroperiods >7 months and groundwater levels <0.5 m below the surface during the dry season. 5. Historical (pre‐drainage) hydroperiods appear to be restricted to the longest hydroperiod areas of the marl prairie. This indicates that much of the marl prairie wetlands now function as population sinks for crayfish and other invertebrates. The historical hydropatterns need to be re‐established throughout the marl prairie wetlands to achieve the restoration goal of increasing productivity in the aquatic faunal community. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.