The effects of density and artificial substrate on intensive shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei nursery production

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) can be installed indoors, allowing year-round production of tropical animals in nearly any climate. A nursery phase is commonly used in Litopenaeus vannamei production since it allows for enhanced biosecurity and better quantification of animals while reducing space requirements. However, it is unclear whether animal density and inclusion of artificial substrate may improve shrimp performance during the nursery phase. In this experiment, we compared shrimp production parameters in two stocking densities with or without the use of an artificial substrate by creating four treatments: low-density LD; 1500 PL/m⁻³, low-density with substrate LDS, high-density HD; 3000 PL/m⁻³), and high-density with substrate (HDS). The LDS and HDS treatments included 0.46-m² of high-density polyethylene 2.5-cm mesh as a substrate, which increased the tank surface area by 21 %. Each treatment was randomly assigned to four 160-l culture tanks, each with a biofilter. The shrimp had an initial weight of 4 mg and were grown for 50 days. The low-density treatments had significantly higher dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH than the high-density treatments (P ≤ 0.001). Specifically, LDS had the highest DO and pH followed by the LD, HD, and HDS treatments, respectively. High-density treatments had significantly higher NO₂-N levels than low-density treatments during week 2 of the experiment when an unusually high concentration of nitrite was observed. FCR was significantly lower in both low-density treatments than in high-density treatments. At harvest, the total biomass (kg m⁻³) was significantly higher in high-density treatments than in low-density treatments (P ≤ 0.001), and the HDS treatment had a significantly greater biomass output than HD. Producers should consider artificial substrate and higher densities during nursery production to maximize shrimp production; however, the effects on water quality should also be taken into account.     

Research on abalone (Haliotis midae L.) cultivation in South Africa

Although abalone fisheries in South Africa have existed since 1949, cultivation started by successful spawning of captured specimens in 1981 to produce spat and juveniles. Twelve abalone farms, with an estimated investment of US$12 million, have since been established on the coast of South Africa, with a projected production of 500–800 tons. While Haliotis midae could reach a maximum size of about 200 mm shell length at an age of over 30 years in the wild, farm production is concentrating on an average size of 100 mm after 5 years. Growth rates of 0.08–4.5% body weight day ^?1 for abalone of 10–17 mm shell length have been found under stimulated farming conditions on formulated diets, while the corresponding feed conversion ratio (FCR) was 0.9–2.4. Growth rate, FCR and protein efficiency ratio decline at water temperatures above 20 °C. Anaesthetics, for example magnesium sulphate, are used to prevent injury during removal from tanks. Prostrate diatoms, such as Cocconeis sublittoralis (Hendey), Amphora proteoides (Hustedt) and Achnanthes brevipes (Agardh) are preferred after the larval stage (5–7 days, depending on temperature) are finished. South Africa abalone growers prefer formulated feeds in pellet form, which is convenience and cost favourable to farm operations and management. Although fish meal has been found to be the most suitable protein source for inclusion in formulated diets, plant proteins such as soy bean meal, cottonseed meal and sunflower meal presented good growth and apparent protein digestibility. The parasite sabellid polychaete, Terebrasabella heterouncinata, recently named by Australian and American researchers, is indigenous to a variety of South African intertidal molluscs and impedes growth by causing irritation beneath the mantle in abalone. Prevention to some degree is possible by high standards of hygiene and husbandry of abalone in the tanks, but new techniques to control large infestations now include ultrasound. In spite of a reputation for toughness, abalone meat frozen immediately after shucking is tender relative to red meat. The success of abalone farming in South Africa has been as a result of a high degree of cooperation between the private sector and government‐backed research institutions, and it is anticipated that this collaboration will continue.     

新疆淡水藻类研究：乌鲁木齐南山八一林场绿藻初报

本文首镒报道乌鲁木齐南山八一林场山区的绿藻１１属，１２种，其中１０属，１０种为新疆新记录。这些结果是对１９９１年７月采集的２０号标本经鉴定后获得的。     

值得在华南地区推广应用的3种野生观赏樱属植物

通过对华南地区野生樱属植物进行深入的调查,从形态特征、生态习性、繁殖、观赏价值、园林应用等方面,介绍了钟花樱桃、尾叶樱桃和海南樱桃3种适合在华南地区推广应用的樱属植物。     

Use of Porcine Meal in Plant‐based Practical Diets for Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

Two growth trials were conducted to evaluate and confirm the efficacy of a porcine meal (PM) with high protein content (>90%) as an alternative feed ingredient in commercial‐type feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Six experimental diets were formulated for the two growth trials. The first five diets contained increasing levels (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6%) of PM as a replacement for soybean meal in a plant‐based diet with low inclusion level (6%) of fish meal (FM). The last experimental diet was produced utilizing 4.2% PM to completely replace FM. In Trial 1, shrimp (1.5 g initial mean weight, 20 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered test diets for 6 wk in a semirecirculation system. At the end of Trial 1, shrimp fed with the diet containing 6% PM exhibited significantly enhanced weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival compared to those fed with the diet devoid of FM. As survival was poor across all treatments and different densities could mask growth results the trial was repeated. In Trial 2, shrimp (0.85 g, 15 shrimp/tank, n = 4) were offered diets for 6 wk. Dietary supplementation of PM at 6% significantly improved WG, FCR, and apparent net protein retention in contrast with the treatment devoid of FM, confirming the same trends in Trial 1. No significant difference was detected in protein, lipid, moisture, and mineral profiles of whole‐body shrimp as well as survival across all the treatments. Results of this study indicate that PM is a good high protein source in shrimp feeds, which can be included up to 6% in the low FM‐based diet without compromising the growth of shrimp.     

一次连续性暖区暴雨过程的诊断分析

利用常规气象观测资料和ERA5逐时再分析资料,对2019年4月18-19日华南地区出现的一次连续性暖区暴雨过程进行了诊断分析。结果表明：此次暴雨过程主要是受气旋性环流切变、西南低空急流影响而形成的暖区对流性强降水天气过程。500hPa副高呈带状分布,强度偏弱,位置偏南,气旋性环流自西向东影响了江南地区；华南地区地面呈东高西低的形势,广东始终处在地面低压前部偏南风的控制下；850hPa和700hPa受西南低空急流的影响,配合以风速或切变形成的低层辐合,高空200hPa对应强的辐散流场；华南至江南一带南低北高的地势,对地面偏南风或西南风起到了很好的抬升作用,这些因素共同作用,形成了这次连续性暖区暴雨过程。     

秦岭南麓新分布小太平鸟迁徙期食性初步观察

2011-2013年冬季,作者采用分组全天跟踪的方法,调查小太平鸟迁徙期活动特征和食性。结果证明:小太平鸟冬季由北向南成群迁徙过程中,会在某个生境优良的区域停留取食9~15日、成群活动在树冠上部。小太平鸟在迁徙期停留区域取食植物果实种类有20种,有人工栽培树种果实,也有野生树种果实。今后应持续迁移路线、停歇地、种群动态监测。