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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2026) | Viewed by 8301

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Editors

Dr. Chuangye Yang

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Guest Editor

Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
Interests: pearl oyster aquaculture; aquatic animal physiology; genetic breeding

Dr. Xing Zheng

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Guest Editor

School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: shellfish germplasm utilization; shellfish genetic breeding and aquaculture

Dr. Bingjian Liu

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Guest Editor

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

Dr. Ruijuan Hao

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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

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

marine invertebrates
biology
aquaculture

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1010 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Growth Patterns and Sexual Dimorphism of Scylla paramamosain in Pond Culture

by Jiahui Liu, Ronghua Li, Yang Jiang, Yun Hu, Zhuang Li, Qingyang Wu, Changkao Mu, Weiwei Song, Chunlin Wang and Ce Shi

Fishes 2026, 11(5), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11050307 - 21 May 2026

Viewed by 383

Abstract

To investigate the growth patterns and sexual differences in pond-cultured mud crabs (Scylla paramamosain), this study measured eight growth patterns in pond-cultured S. paramamosain aged 1 to 5 months, including internal carapace width (ICW), abdomen width (AW), body height (BH), carapace length (CL), propodus length (PL), merus length (ML), first periopod merus length (1PML), and body weight (BW), with measurements taken monthly. The growth patterns for females, males, and a mixed-sex group were fitted using the following three growth curve models: Logistic, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy. The fitting results indicate that the optimal growth model for male S. paramamosain is the Logistic model, while the optimal growth model for female S. paramamosain is the von Bertalanffy model. The predicted growth inflection points and inflection weight for male S. paramamosain are 3.15 months and 155.00 g, respectively; for female S. paramamosain, the predicted growth inflection point and inflection weight are 4.25 months and 228.71 g, respectively; and for mixed-sex S. paramamosain, the growth inflection point and inflection weight are 3.22 months and 151.80 g, respectively. Males achieve a rapid growth period earlier (at 3–4 months of age) than females, with the weight of male crabs significantly greater than that of females at four months of age (p < 0.05). Males exhibit slow weight gain from the fourth to the fifth month, while females demonstrate a rapid weight gain rate during the same period. These results provided a theoretical basis and reference for the refined pond culture of S. paramamosain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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14 pages, 4121 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reproductive Cycle Dynamics of Subtropical Manila Clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) Cultured in Temperate Waters: Temperature Thresholds and Bimodal Spawning Patterns

by Wei Guo, Ling Guo, Xujing Liang, Yangyang He, Xiwu Yan, Shuang Liang and Jian Liang

Fishes 2026, 11(3), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11030177 - 17 Mar 2026

Viewed by 705

Abstract

The Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum is a commercially important bivalve worldwide, with China being the leading producer. While the reproductive biology of this species has been extensively studied in its native or long-established ranges, knowledge of how populations cultured from non-native seed sources adapt their reproductive cycles to new environmental conditions remains limited. In this observational study, we investigated the annual reproductive cycle of a Manila clam population originating from subtropical waters (Zhejiang Province, Southern China) that was cultured in temperate aquaculture grounds in Zhuanghe Bay, Northern China. Monthly histological examination of 50 clams demonstrated that the gametogenic cycle synchronized between male and female clams. Gametogenesis started in March when seawater temperature exceeded 5.7 °C, and most gametes matured by May. A distinct bimodal spawning pattern was observed: a minor spawning event occurred from May to July, followed by a major spawning phase from September to November after a one-month gonadal recovery period in August. The condition index (CI), analyzed monthly in 30 clams, effectively reflected reproductive stages, increasing during gametogenesis and declining sharply during spawning, with its amplitude indicating spawning intensity. Seawater temperature was identified as the primary regulatory factor driving reproductive development from gametogenesis to spawning, while food availability (indicated by chlorophyll a concentration) played a crucial role in supporting gonadal recovery during summer. These results align with observations in other temperate populations, demonstrating that subtropical-origin clams can successfully acclimate their reproductive cycles to temperate environmental conditions. This study provides the first comprehensive description of the reproductive biology of transplanted Manila clams in Northern China, offering critical benchmarks for optimizing hatchery production schedules and informing sustainable fishery management practices in the region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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11 pages, 1603 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

First Mediterranean Records of Two African Crabs, the Mud Crab Panopeus africanus and the Pebble Crab Ilia spinosa (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura)

by Alberto Gil-Fernández, Pere Abelló, Isabel Muñoz and Jose A. Cuesta

Fishes 2026, 11(3), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11030168 - 14 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 903

Abstract

Two African crab species are recorded for the first time for the Mediterranean Sea. On the one hand, eight individuals of the mud crab Panopeus africanus were found in the port of Gandía, València, Spain. On the other hand, one zoea larva of the pebble crab Ilia spinosa was identified in plankton samples collected in coastal waters adjacent to L’Albufera, València, Spain. These two Mediterranean findings represent the second records for these two African crab species outside their native Atlantic distributions. Identifications were confirmed using DNA barcoding. Comparisons with other African decapod species introduced into the Mediterranean are made to assess whether they may have followed similar transport patterns, which include two main pathways, natural larval expansion from nearby Atlantic populations or accidental transport mediated by ships’ ballast water or hull fouling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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13 pages, 4047 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hypoxic Preconditioning Enhances the Hypoxia Tolerance of the Pearl Oyster Pinctada fucata martensii and Is Associated with Changes in the Intestinal Microbiota

by Qin Su, Jing Huang, Chengxin Fan, Wenhao Huang, Xinyi Zhang, Liangxi Lv, Chuangye Yang, Chenyang Yue and Yuewen Deng

Fishes 2026, 11(3), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11030163 - 12 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 517

Abstract

Hypoxia frequently triggers mass mortality events in pearl oysters during the summer months. Hypoxic preconditioning (HP), repeated exposure to sublethal low-oxygen conditions, has been proposed as a potential strategy to enhance stress resistance. Here, we investigated how HP affects hypoxia tolerance in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii, with emphasis on host apoptotic and immune regulation and the gut microbiota. Pearl oysters assigned to HP (experimental group, EG) and to a non-preconditioned control group (CG) were subjected to sustained hypoxic challenge (1.5 ± 0.1 mg/L DO for 15 days). HP significantly increased the expression of apoptosis- and immunity-related genes (MyD88, IκK, NF-κB) while suppressing JNK expression in gills after extended hypoxia (MyD88: EG 2.26 ± 0.65 vs. CG 0.96 ± 0.29, p < 0.05, ~2.3-fold increase; NF-κB: EG 1.50 ± 0.20 vs. CG 0.81 ± 0.31, p < 0.05, ~1.8-fold increase; IκK: EG 1.55 ± 0.38 vs. CG 0.65 ± 0.12, p < 0.05, ~4.0-fold increase; JNK: EG 0.49 ± 0.25 vs. CG 1.44 ± 0.51, p < 0.05, ~0.34-fold), consistent with a pre-activated yet controlled stress response. In parallel, HP markedly reshaped the intestinal microbial community under hypoxia, increasing alpha diversity (Ace, Chao, and Sobs indices) and enriching potentially beneficial bacterial phyla such as Planctomycetota, Nitrospirota, and Fusobacteriota, groups often linked to nutrient cycling and short-chain fatty acid production. Collectively, these results suggest that HP-enhanced hypoxia tolerance in P. f. martensii is associated with coordinated modulation of host apoptotic and immune signaling and concomitant shifts in gut microbiome diversity. These findings highlight the role of the host–microbiota axis in environmental acclimation and suggest that HP may be a practical tool for improving bivalve performance under hypoxic stress in aquaculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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14 pages, 4923 KB

Open AccessArticle

Within-Reef and Within-Creek Relatedness Contributes to Fine-Scale Population Structure in Oysters Along the Georgia Coast

by J. Scott Harrison, Sarah Batchelor, Jessica C. Watts and John M. Carroll

Fishes 2026, 11(3), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11030154 - 7 Mar 2026

Viewed by 560

Abstract

Marine species with high fecundity and larvae with long-distance dispersal potential can have complex population genetic patterns. Characterizing population structure in these species is important for understanding their ecology and life history and designing management strategies. The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is both ecologically and economically important but has experienced recent population declines. Characterizing genetic variation in regional C. virginica populations will contribute to conservation and restoration practices. We used 20 nuclear microsatellite loci to examine genetic diversity, population structure, and kinship within and among wild oyster populations in coastal Georgia. Oysters were sampled from multiple fringe reefs within a single tidal creek and from four estuarine creeks spanning approximately 115 km of coastline. Genetic diversity was high across all sites, but modest yet significant population structure was detected at both local and regional scales. Within a single creek, significant genetic differentiation was observed among reefs separated by only a few kilometers. Kinship analyses revealed significantly higher relatedness within reefs and within creeks than among locations relative to random expectations. These results indicate that regional coastal dynamics, kin aggregation, local retention, and sweepstakes reproductive success contribute to fine-scale genetic structure despite high dispersal potential. Our findings suggest that accounting for local retention is important when designing oyster restoration, broodstock selection, and management strategies in dynamic estuarine and coastal environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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15 pages, 3522 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Combined Microplastics and Cadmium Exposure Induces Persistent Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Pearl Oyster Pinctada fucata martensii

by Luomin Huang, Yujing Lin, Lintao Liu, Qin Su, Jiaen Liu, Chuangye Yang, Jiaying Yao, Zixin Gao and Yuewen Deng

Fishes 2026, 11(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11010051 - 14 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 633

Abstract

In marine aquaculture environments, microplastics (MPs) and cadmium (Cd) are widespread contaminants that may jointly affect host–microbe interactions. Here, we examined the combined effects of MPs (5 mg/L) and Cd (5 μg/L) on the intestinal microbial community of pearl oysters after a 48 h exposure, followed by a 5-day recovery period. Gut microbiota dynamics were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Alpha diversity did not vary significantly, whereas beta diversity showed marked alterations in community composition among the different exposure treatments. LEfSe analysis revealed distinct microbial biomarkers and putative pathogens under each treatment: Sulfitobacter in the MPs-alone group; Vibrio and Candidatus_Megaira in the Cd-alone group; and Tenacibaculum, Roseibacillus, and Enterovibrio across different co-exposure and recovery groups. A brief recovery period partially decreased the abundance of certain pathogens (e.g., Vibrio), yet some taxa (e.g., Enterovibrio and Tenacibaculum) remained enriched. These results indicate that exposure to MPs and Cd, whether alone or in combination, disrupts gut microbial homeostasis in pearl oysters by reshaping community structure and promoting the proliferation of potential pathogens, with some disturbances persisting after exposure ceases. Generally, our findings will aid evaluation of the ecological risks of combined pollutants in marine aquaculture systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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17 pages, 1228 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial and Temporal Genetic Structure of the European Squid Loligo vulgaris in the Eastern Adriatic Sea

by Mirela Petrić, Darija Šupraha, Hana Uvanović, Igor Isajlović, Biljana Apostolska, Antonela Sovulj, Mate Šantić and Željka Trumbić

Fishes 2025, 10(12), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10120612 - 28 Nov 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 918

Abstract

The European squid Loligo vulgaris inhabits the continental shelf of the North and Central Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, with significant socio-economic value for the associated fisheries. Globally, the stock appears to be maintained at levels close to the optimal sustainable yield, but capture statistics indicate high fluctuations in fisheries production, and some regions might be affected by overexploitation. In this study, we used the mitochondrial marker mtCOI to investigate temporal and spatial genetic structure and variability in the European squid in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea and put it into context with its Mediterranean and Atlantic conspecifics using data from public databases. High haplotype and low nuclear diversity of mtCOI were detected, with no significant genetic differentiation, suggesting one panmictic homogeneous population in the North and Central Adriatic Sea. The Adriatic cluster appears to diverge from its Mediterranean–Atlantic conspecifics; however, this pattern should be considered preliminary due to the limited and uneven geographic sampling available in public databases. The current dataset lacks comprehensive coverage of several Mediterranean sub-basins, which restricts the resolution of connectivity patterns and may mask subtle population structure. Despite these limitations, our results provide an important baseline for understanding the L. vulgaris Adriatic stock and for developing joint management policies among all countries that exploit this shared resource. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Culture of Marine Invertebrates)

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13 pages, 3050 KB

Open AccessArticle

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 - 2 Nov 2025

Viewed by 867

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%) 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

Open AccessArticle

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 899

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 cm) and different measurement methods on the measured critical swimming speeds (U_crit), this study used experimental ecology methods to determine the U_crit 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 U_crit. In the small-body-length group (L₁), the U_crit 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 U_crit 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 U_crit of the shrimp decreased as the time interval increased. At the speed increment of 3/4 BL s⁻¹, the U_crit 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 U_crit. In the large-body-length group (L₃), at the speed increment of 1/2 BL s⁻¹, the U_crit 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 U_crit was not significant at high-speed increments, and U_crit 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 U_crit 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

Open AccessArticle

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

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1229

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 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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