Real Time PCR detection of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879) larvae with emphasis to their ecology

Species specific identification of early larval stages of many decapod crustaceans sampled from plankton collections remains cumbersome owing to lack of distinguishable characteristics, where DNA based molecular methods provide accurate results without taxonomic ambiguities. In the present study, an attempt was made to detect temporal occurrence of early zoea of freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) using real-time PCR assays in polyhaline, mesohaline and oligohaline areas of a tropical positive estuary, the Vembanad lake (S. India). High caridean larval abundance could be recorded in polyhaline areas in all seasons while it could be recorded in monsoon season in mesohaline and oligohaline areas. 113 DNA isolations were successfully made from morphologically identified taxonomic units (MOTU) and SYBR Green based RT-PCR amplifications using designed primer for M. rosenbergii yielded positive detections in 38 samples (34%) representing all seasons in all three zones. Positive detections could be recorded in all months except May in mesohaline areas and differed significantly (F = 17.2 p < 0.01) with the same in polyhaline and oligohaline areas. The present results of molecular detection of M. rosenbergii larvae extend confirmation of its breeding ground in Vembanad lake where appropriate management strategies could be enforced for stock conservation of this species.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Tarek (Alburnus tarichi), an endemic species to the Lake Van basin, Turkey

In this study, the genetic relationships of 804 tarek (Alburnus tarichi) samples from a total of 18 populations, including the potamodromus and resident individuals from Lake Van basin in eastern Turkey, were studied by using nine microsatellite loci. A total of 93 alleles was detected, and the average number of alleles per locus was 10.3 ± 3.39. The mean estimated observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.340 ± 0.016 and 0.362 ± 0.015, respectively, which indicated a low level of polymorphism. After Bonferroni correction (P < 0.0027), the multi-locus test applied to each population revealed that 12 out of 18 populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P = 0.0120–0.9981). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed more than 76% genetic variability within individuals and 19% among populations, which was significantly higher than zero (FST = 0.19), and furthermore, a low level of genetic variation was observed among individuals within populations (4.84%: FIS = 0.06). Bayesian clustering analysis indicated that the total genetic variation grouped into 3 clusters. Additionally, the significance test results revealed that 11 of the 18 populations are threatened with extinction due to recent bottleneck events.We conclude that the tarek populations from the Lake Van basin can be classified into distinct genetic groups, based on microsatellite information. In addition, our results provide essential information for the development of a management plan that conserves the tarek's genetic diversity and achieves a sustainable fishery.

Histology of Tritia mutabilis gonads: using reproductive biology to support sustainable fishery management

The mutable nassa, Tritia mutabilis, a marine gastropod that is widely exploited on the Adriatic coast is an important source of income for small-scale fishermen in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in the Gulf of Lion. However, the lack of knowledge on the ecology and biology of this species limits our capacities to propose and produce an effective management plan. As a result, stocks are currently declining, especially in Italy. In order to optimize a management plan for this fishery, we designed a study to better characterize the reproductive biology of T. mutabilis, using gonad histology and performing a regular monitoring of population size frequency. The average shell height of individuals during the breeding period was 24 ± 2.7 mm for males and 30 ± 3.7 mm for females. The presence of small females (10 mm) and large males (32 mm) in the whole sample challenged previous assumptions regarding protandry (sex change from male to female). The size at first maturity was estimated for males and females at 17.5 mm and 24.4 mm shell height, respectively. In Italy, current management measures include a minimum conservation reference size of 20 mm in shell height. Therefore, it is likely that many individuals that did not reproduce are being caught, which could partly explain the decline observed, despite conservation measures introduced more than ten years ago. Overall, our study provides some baseline information to establish, in consultation with fishermen, management measures for this small-scale fishery in France.

Observations on feeding habits of the common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus 1758) from the western Bay of Bengal

Coryphaena hippurus is a large pelagic species and constitutes an important by-catch in drift gillnet, trolling and long-line fishing gears operated along the Bay of Bengal, northeastern Indian Ocean. The present study, first from the region, is aimed at deciphering the feeding dynamics from 1150 individuals collected from 2017 to 2019. 32.17% of the fishes had empty stomachs or was with food traces, 45.57% had partially-full stomachs and 22.26% had full stomachs. The feeding intensity was inferred through stomach filling and predator-prey weight ratio, which was higher in May and lower in January, and increasing as increase in the fish size. Coryphaena hippurus is considered a piscivorous pelagic predator as pelagic teleosts contribute more than half of the prey species. Major prey species were big-eye scad (27.3%), squid (10.3%), crabs (9.3%), Indian mackerel (7.2%), Indian scad (5.9%), whitebaits (5.7%) and sardines (5.4%). Scads and crabs were abundantly preyed during summer and winter, while clupeids and engraulids in monsoon; however, no significant variations were observed in prey composition between sizes. Trophic Level was 4.22 ± 0.15 and Levins Standardized Niche Breadth Index was 0.30. Dietary niche breadth was higher during summer (0.48) and monsoon (0.33) and in fishes measuring 60.0–74.9 cm (0.51) and below 45.0 cm (0.48) indicating generalised feeding. This primary study from Bay of Bengal is the first comprehensive report on trophodynamics for the species and would contribute to its management using trophic interactions.

Genetic variation of Parapenaeopsis sculptilis (Decapoda, Penaeidae) and reassessment of the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Parapenaeopsis based on mitochondrial DNA variation

The genus Parapenaeopsis is an important group of marine shrimps for wild capture in the Indo-West Pacific region. Phylogenetics of penaeid shrimps is still a debatable issue. This study focuses on the phylogenetic relationships among seven species within the genus Parapenaeupsis, the population genetic variation of Parapenaeupsis sculptilis along Bangladesh coastline of the Bay of Bengal and the phylogeography of P. sculptilis in the Indian Ocean region by analysing cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 barcode (CO1) sequence. No population structure was detected in P. sculptilis collected from two sampling sites along the Bangladesh coastline (AMOVA and Φ ST = ‑0.014, p > 0.05; F ST = 0.061, p = 0.04), which expanded first around 73 (CI: 36‑119) kyr ago. The genealogical relationships in Bangladesh P. sculptilis population are shallow with haplotype diversity (h) of 0.58 and nucleotide diversity (π) of 0.0014. The different P. sculptilis samples from Bangladesh, India and Mozambique of the Indian Ocean revealed connectivity between western Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The phylogeny within the genus Parapenaeupsis showed a polyphyletic relationships for P. hardickwii and its taxonomy needs to be reevaluated. The study will help for genetic upgradation in aquaculture and monitoring of the population genetic diversity of P. sculptilis.

Synbiotic containing Kappaphycus alvarezii, Spirulina sp., and Halomonas alkaliphila improves survival, growth, and vibriosis resistance in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) post-larval culture

The high losses in shrimp production due to mortality caused by Vibrio opportunistic pathogens still constitute a significant challenge in the shrimp industry. Synbiotic feed supplementation appears to be a promising control strategy to maintain healthy shrimp stock. In this study, the effects of synbiotic-containing prebiotic seaweeds Kappaphycus alvarezii and Spirulina sp. as well as probiotic Halomonas alkaliphila were evaluated on the survival, growth, and vibriosis of Litopenaeus vannamei during the post-larval stage. Five different feeds were tested: commercial feed, prebiotics K. alvarezii and Spirulina sp.-supplemented feed, and synbiotic-supplemented feed using K. alvarezii, Spirulina sp. and probiotic H. alkaliphila with different concentrations of 108, 109, and 1010 CFU.kg−1. Following 14 days after the feeding test, the highest shrimp survival (91.46 ± 0.05%) was obtained in the treatment group fed with synbiotic-supplemented feed containing 0.375% K. alvarezii, 0.125% Spirulina sp., and H. alkaliphila at 109 CFU.kg−1 (p < 0.05). A 7-day challenge test against opportunistic bacteria Vibrio harveyii was then performed using three treatment groups: (1) synbiotic, containing 0.375% K. alvarezii, 0.125% Spirulina sp., and H. alkaliphila at 109 CFU.kg−1; (2) prebiotic, with 0.375% K. alvarezii, 0.125% Spirulina sp.; and (3) control, using commercial feed. The highest shrimp survival of (79.9 ± 0.05%) was found in the synbiotic treatment group, followed by the prebiotic and control treatment groups (p < 0.05). Overall results suggested that synbiotic-supplemented feed containing 0.375% K. alvarezii, 0.125% Spirulina sp., and H. alkaliphila at 109 CFU.kg−1 significantly improved shrimp survival even when challenged with V. harveyii. Thus, this synbiotic can be potentially applied as an alternative biocontrol strategy against vibriosis in intensive shrimp post-larval culture.

Evaluation of use effective microorganisms (EM) with different feeding strategies on growth performance, body chemical composition and economic efficiency of monosex Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus juveniles

A factorial trial was conducted to detect the effect of different feeding strategies of supplementation of effective microorganisms (EM) liquid on the growth performance, feed utilization, body chemical composition and economic efficiency of monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles. Three experimental treatments were formulated a basal diet without any addition of EM (control; A), a diet supplemented with 2% EM (B), and a diet supplemented with 4% EM (C). All treatments were offered to fish through two different strategies of feeding the meal: 2/3 in the morning and 1/3 in the afternoon or 1/3 in the morning and 2/3 in the afternoon. Each treatment was replicated three times. Juveniles Nile tilapia with an average initial body weight of 3.85 ± 0.22 g (± SE) were randomly stocked at a rate of 90 juveniles per 1.5 m3 tank. Fish growth performance and feed utilization significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased with increasing EM supplementation and were positively affected by different feeding strategies. Moreover, the economic evaluation showed that there were more benefits by when using the 4% EM diet and feeding 2/3 of daily meal in the morning.

Changes in age and maturity of anadromous whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) in the northern Baltic Sea from 1998 to 2014

The maturation of anadromous whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) was analysed from samples taken from commercial coastal fishing in 1998–2014 in the Gulf of Bothnia. Whitefish matured at a younger age from year to year. The proportion of older (5–12 sea years) mature males decreased from 79% to 39% in the northern Gulf of Bothnia (66°N–64°N) and from 76% to 14% in southern (64°N–60°30'N) during the study period. At the same time, the proportion of young males (2–4 sea years) increased. Whitefish matured younger: the proportion of mature fish at age four increased in both the north and south among females (13% → 98%; 6% → 85%) and males (68% → 99%; 29% → 89%). The catch length of four-year-old fish increased during the study period in both sexes. In contrast, the length of six-year-old females decreased from year to year. Sea surface temperatures increased during the study period, and were possibly associated with a decrease in the age of maturation and faster growth.

Disaggregating species unit costs in mixed fisheries: the case of the Irish whitefish fleet

Many fishing fleets operate in mixed fisheries where several target species are caught together along with other bycatch species unintentionally caught. In some cases, fleets operate in multiple mixed fisheries depending on various factors such as time of year or current market conditions, among other factors. Data collection in the European Union (EU) involves various levels of detailed data. Economic data is generally collected on an annual time-step whereas other sources provide information at much higher resolution such as the fishing trip (landings declarations), fish day (logbook) or even in real-time (electronic logbook). In this paper a methodology is described to disaggregate the annual cost of a fleet segment into a cost per fishery and per species within the fishery. This information is of interest as it permits incorporation of the economic implications of fishery dynamics into fisheries management. Assessment of these unit costs on a fishery basis also allows accurate input into value chain analysis which is carried out on a species basis.

Environmental amelioration in biofloc based rearing system of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in West Bengal, India

The potential of biofloc media in in-situ environmental amelioration mediated through the removal of nitrogenous metabolites, reduce the dominance of disease-causing Vibrio to beneficial Bacillus community and reduction of costly commercial feed was investigated in white leg shellfish (Litopenaeus vannamei) farming. Three treatments viz. biofloc without neem + commercial feed (B), biofloc with neem +commercial feed (NB), only commercial feed without biofloc (F)and, one control (C) withno biofloc and no feed in triplicate was applied with a stocking density of 60 PL-20 m−3 in outdoor earthen ponds (1000 m3). Two biofloc media (C:N = 15–10:1) with and without neem leave extract were applied with reduction of feed supplement from 50% to 100%. The significant difference was observed in final body weight (33.82 ± 0.18 g) in neem based biofloc media than the other tested shrimp with the survival percentage above 87%. Superiority of biofloc based rearing system over the traditional feed based one was established as live weight gain was 28.48–137% more with a reduction of feed conversion ratio by 7.60% to 8.18% in the former. Moreover, feed cost was reduced both in B (8.1%) and NB (8.77%) compared to conventional feed −based culture system (F). The nutrient profile of floc and shrimp also improved as higher protein content was recorded in floc (18.65–19.63%) and shrimp (24.58–26.29%). The development of biofloc within the culture system resulted in cumulative increase of Bacillus population with concomitant decrease of luminous Vibrio population. The findings of the study strongly indicated that biofloc technology could be a potential tool of ecosystem approach towards in-situ environmental amelioration in shrimp farming ponds with substantial reduction of cost towards feed, aqua chemicals used for disease and environmental health management and other operational cost like water exchange.