Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Invertebrates".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 1121

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
Interests: pearl oyster aquaculture; aquatic animal physiology; genetic breeding
School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: shellfish germplasm utilization; shellfish genetic breeding and aquaculture

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Guest Editor
Marine Science And Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
Interests: population genome; population genetics; adaptation evolution; marine animals; biodiversity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang 524006, China
Interests: aquatic animal physiology; genetic breeding; temperature adaptation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine invertebrates represent an extraordinary diversity of life, playing crucial roles in marine ecosystems and providing valuable resources for aquaculture, biotechnology, and biomedical research. From corals and mollusks to crustaceans and echinoderms, these organisms exhibit remarkable adaptations to their environments, offering insights into evolutionary biology, ecological interactions, and physiological resilience. Their unique biological traits—such as biomineralization, symbiosis, and regenerative capabilities—make them fascinating subjects for scientific study. Beyond their ecological significance, marine invertebrates are increasingly important in aquaculture, supporting food security and economic development. Species like shrimp, oysters, and sea cucumbers are among the most cultivated marine organisms, yet challenges remain in optimizing their production, health management, and sustainability. Advances in breeding, nutrition, and disease control are essential to meet growing global demand while minimizing environmental impacts.

We are launching a Special Issue entitled “Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates” devoted to attracting continuous attention on marine invertebrates. This Special Issue focuses the intersection of biology and culture in marine invertebrates, highlighting recent research on their ecology, physiology, genetics, and aquaculture practices. We welcome contributions that address innovative approaches to sustainable production, conservation, and the utilization of marine invertebrates in a changing ocean environment.

Dr. Chuangye Yang
Dr. Xing Zheng
Dr. Bingjian Liu
Dr. Ruijuan Hao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • marine invertebrates
  • biology
  • aquaculture

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3050 KB  
Article
First Record of Urceolaria carmenae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Peritrichia, Mobilida) Infesting the Gills of Octopus bimaculatus Verrill from the Gulf of California, Mexico
by Graciela Esmeralda Colunga-Ramírez and Sheila Castellanos-Martínez
Fishes 2025, 10(11), 553; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110553 (registering DOI) - 2 Nov 2025
Abstract
Ciliate infestations in aquatic organisms are commonly associated with aquaculture, yet their impact on natural ecosystems remains largely understudied. This study describes a mobilid peritrich species infesting the gills of Octopus bimaculatus from the Gulf of California, Mexico. All 76 examined hosts (100%) [...] Read more.
Ciliate infestations in aquatic organisms are commonly associated with aquaculture, yet their impact on natural ecosystems remains largely understudied. This study describes a mobilid peritrich species infesting the gills of Octopus bimaculatus from the Gulf of California, Mexico. All 76 examined hosts (100%) exhibited infestation, with a mean intensity of 687 ± 228 (279–1077) urceolariid cells per gill. The ciliate cells displayed morphological traits consistent with those of the genus Urceolaria: turban-shaped cells measuring 44.2 ± 13.2 (31.3–88.6) µm in diameter; an adhesive disc of 36.5 ± 10.7 (29.2–74.6) μm in diameter; 18–19 plates measuring 11.0 ± 0.86 (9–12) µm in length; and 166–169 radial pins. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences placed this species within the genus Urceolaria, a sister group to Urceolaria urechi and Urceolaria serpularum, with a genetic distance of 1.0% with respect to the previously described species. Combined morphological and molecular data support the description of a new species, Urceolaria carmenae n. sp. This is the first record of a mobilid peritrich in cephalopod mollusks, thereby enhancing our understanding of the diversity of ciliates among marine invertebrates in their natural habitats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)
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13 pages, 1259 KB  
Article
Effects of Time Interval and Speed Increments on the Critical Swimming Speed of Litopenaeus vannamei
by Yan Duan, Mengyao Li, Ming Sun, Aiyong Wang, Jie Liu and Xiumei Zhang
Fishes 2025, 10(10), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10100511 - 10 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Swimming ability is an important means for shrimp to survive in a water environment. To investigate the effects of different body lengths (L1: 6.5 ± 0.25 cm, L2: 8.8 ± 0.16 cm, and L3: 11.5 ± 0.28 [...] Read more.
Swimming ability is an important means for shrimp to survive in a water environment. To investigate the effects of different body lengths (L1: 6.5 ± 0.25 cm, L2: 8.8 ± 0.16 cm, and L3: 11.5 ± 0.28 cm) and different measurement methods on the measured critical swimming speeds (Ucrit), this study used experimental ecology methods to determine the Ucrit of three body length (BL) groups of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) at different time intervals (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 min) and speed increments (1/2 BL s−1, 3/4 BL s−1, and BL s−1) in a biological swimming channel. The results showed that the time interval and speed increment significantly affected the Ucrit. In the small-body-length group (L1), the Ucrit of the shrimp decreased and then increased as the time interval increased, with no significant difference between time intervals or velocity increments. In the medium-body-length group (L2), at the speed increment of 1/2 BL s−1, the Ucrit of the shrimp under the time interval < 40 min was significantly greater than that in the other treatment groups. At the speed increment of 1/2 BL s−1, the Ucrit of the shrimp decreased as the time interval increased. At the speed increment of 3/4 BL s−1, the Ucrit of the shrimp showed a trend of decreasing and then increasing with increasing time interval, and at a high-speed increment (BL s−1), the time interval had no significant effect on Ucrit. In the large-body-length group (L3), at the speed increment of 1/2 BL s−1, the Ucrit of the shrimp under the time interval < 30 min was significantly higher than that in the other treatment groups. The effect of the time interval on Ucrit was not significant at high-speed increments, and Ucrit decreased with increasing time interval only at the speed increment of 1/2 BL s−1. This study showed that, in the small-body-length group, the time increment has a more significant effect on the critical swimming speed, and, as the body length increases, both the time increment and velocity increment affect the critical swimming speed. When the time interval is 20 min and the speed increment is 1/2 BL s−1, the measured Ucrit is the closest to the appropriate value. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)
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12 pages, 1116 KB  
Article
Physiological Effects of Suspended Solids on Venerupis philippinarum and Argopecten irradians
by Ha-Jeong Son, Ju-Won Kim, Min-Young Sohn, Chae-yeong Ji, Su Bhin Jeong, In Gu Kim, Jung-Ha Kang, Hee Jeong Kong, Chan-Il Park and Gyoungsik Kang
Fishes 2025, 10(9), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090432 - 2 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Suspended solids are small particles transported in the water column, which can damage marine ecosystems and impair the health of aquatic organisms. This study evaluated the physiological responses of clams (Venerupis philippinarum) and Atlantic Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) to [...] Read more.
Suspended solids are small particles transported in the water column, which can damage marine ecosystems and impair the health of aquatic organisms. This study evaluated the physiological responses of clams (Venerupis philippinarum) and Atlantic Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) to suspended solid exposure. Four concentrations (100–1000 mg/L) were tested, with a control group maintained at 0 mg/L. At each time point (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 days), hemolymph samples were collected from five individuals per group to measure GOT, GPT, ALP, and cortisol. Exposure to suspended solids significantly increased these biochemical indicators compared with the control. Quantitative survival analysis showed that Venerupis philippinarum survival declined to 83.3% (25/30) at 500 mg/L and 76.7% (23/30) at 1000 mg/L after 5 days, while the control maintained 100% survival. In Argopecten irradians, survival remained close to 100% in most treatments, with a slight reduction to 83.3% (25/30) at 1000 mg/L. No mortality occurred in the control group without suspended solids, whereas mortality was evident under combined temperature stress and suspended solid exposure. These findings demonstrate that suspended solids induce stress responses in both species, with early mortality in Venerupis philippinarum likely caused by particle adhesion to the gills, leading to reduced respiratory efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)
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