Search Results (86)

Contaminants such as nano-polystyrenes (NPs) and heavy metal cocktail (HMC) have been found to disrupt physiological functions in aquatic organisms. Although HMC and NPs alone induce oxidative stress, their combined effects are not well understood. This study aimed to assess the combined effects of HMC and NPs on the freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Shrimp were divided into seven groups, including the control group, and the experimental groups co-exposed to 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µg/L NPs combined with 0.5 mg/L HMC. After 14 days, shrimp were sampled, and their hepatopancreas and muscle tissues were analyzed for oxidative biomarkers, biochemical parameters, and metabolic profiles. Moreover, the bioaccumulation rate of heavy metals was measured. Results showed that co-exposure to NPs and HMC increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities, and malondialdehyde levels, while reducing glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. The integrated biomarker response indicated that co-exposure to HMC and NPs induces oxidative stress. A significant decrease was observed in aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, glycogen, triglyceride, and total protein levels. However, lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased. Co-exposure to HMC and NPs increased heavy metal bioaccumulation, induced oxidative stress, biochemical changes, and enhanced HMC toxicity in shrimp. Full article

Background and Objectives: Shellfish allergies are common in Vietnam. The basophil activation test (BAT) is a powerful tool in the diagnosis of food allergies. We aimed to evaluate the application of BAT to distinguish shrimp allergy in comparison with skin prick test and specific IgE measurement. Materials and Methods: We recruited adult shrimp- or prawn-allergic subjects from the University Medical Center (Vietnam). BAT was performed using the in-house crude extracts for two allergens: black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon (shrimp) and giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (prawn). The percentages of CD63 in response to shrimp and prawn were recorded. The results of skin prick tests (SPT) and the specific IgE (sIgE) levels in response to commercial shrimp/prawn were noted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: Of 43 recruited subjects, 9 (26.5%) subjects had a specific allergy to shrimp, 2 (5.9%) subjects had a specific allergy to prawn, and 23 (67.6%) subjects had both shrimp and prawn allergy. Basophil CD63% was significantly increased in subjects with allergy to shrimp and prawn (p < 0.05% for all). Compared with SPT and sIgE, CD63 expression-based BAT was better in discriminating subjects with allergies to these species from their non-allergic counterparts (AUC/sensitivity/specificity = 0.88/77%/89% for shrimp, and 0.74/88%/77% for prawn, p < 0.05 for all). The addition of SPT and BAT improved the diagnostic power. A positive BAT could help identify shrimp/prawn allergy among cases with negative SPT/sIgE to shrimp/prawn. BAT facilitated the diagnosis of shrimp allergy among prawn-allergic subjects (100% accurate). Conclusions: The BAT test can help predict clinical reactions to shrimp and prawn in allergic patients, and enhance diagnostic accuracy in cases where SPT or specific IgE tests yield negative results. Full article

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has emerged as a significant threat to global shrimp aquaculture, causing economic losses because of its rapid spread and high mortality rates. This study aims to elucidate the genetic and evolutionary dynamics of WSSV through a comprehensive genome analysis. Utilizing 27 complete genome sequences sourced from public databases, this study investigates the genetic variability, potential recombination events, and evolutionary patterns of WSSV. Our results identified multiple genomic deletions, 14 novel single-nucleotide polymorphism sites, and variable number tandem repeats across different strains, underscoring the virus’s genetic diversity. A recombination event between freshwater and marine strains highlights a complex transmission pathway, potentially facilitated by aquaculture practices. A phylogenetic tree constructed using ancestral genes suggests that WSSV originated in Southeast Asia and subsequently globally spread, influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Genomic shrinkage of the virus occurred in time series, while the host’s viral infection induced transposon transposition and insertion into the earlier virus genome to provide a basis for genomic shrinkage. Our research emphasizes the importance of advanced molecular characterization and evolutionary models of the virus in understanding the spread of viral pathogens in aquaculture environments. Full article

Sesquiterpenoid hormones are widely present in arthropods and play crucial roles in growth, molting and reproduction. Methyl farnesoate (MF) functions similarly to juvenile hormone (JH) in crustaceans, playing a broad regulatory role in their growth and development. However, compared to insects, systematic studies on the mechanisms of sesquiterpenoid hormones in crustaceans are still lacking. Neocaridina denticulata, a small freshwater shrimp known for its fast growth, high reproductive capacity and ease of maintenance, is an ideal model organism for crustacean research. To investigate the effects of MF on the growth and development of juvenile N. denticulata, MF feeding experiments were conducted and the changes at the phenotypic and molecular levels were examined. In this experiment, the basal diet was used as a control, with 40 μg/kg, 4 μg/kg and 0.4 μg/kg of MF added to the feed. The MF-enriched diets were fed to juvenile N. denticulata and the growth in body length was measured every 10 days. After 40 days of feeding experiment, the activities of amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), trypsin (Try), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were assessed, and transcriptome analysis was performed. We found that MF showed an initial inhibitory effect on body length (day 30), but by day 40, the low-concentration group exhibited significantly enhanced growth compared to the control, indicating a dose- and time-dependent effect. Activities of AMS, LPS, Try and SOD generally decreased, whereas MDA levels and GSH-PX activity increased after 40 days of MF exposure. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis revealed that MF regulated various biological processes including growth, metabolism and immune responses. High concentration group appeared to restrict growth via modulation of exoskeleton-related and cellular stress genes. Medium concentration group enhanced growth by optimizing metabolic and signaling pathways. Low concentration group preferentially up-regulated genes related to muscle function, potentially supporting locomotion and competitive ability. This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of sesquiterpenoid hormones in crustaceans and their potential applications in aquaculture in the future. Full article

Background/Objectives: Freshwater shrimps of the family Atyidae, particularly the hyperdiverse genus Caridina, are keystone decomposers in tropical aquatic ecosystems and valuable aquaculture resources. However, their evolutionary relationships remain unresolved due to conflicting morphological and molecular evidence. Here, we sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of Caridina mariae (Tiger Shrimp), aiming to (1) elucidate its genomic architecture, and (2) reconstruct a robust phylogeny of Caridea using 155 decapod species to address long-standing taxonomic uncertainties. Methods: Muscle tissue from wild-caught C. mariae (voucher ID: KIZ-2023-001, Guangdong, China) was subjected to Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing (150 bp paired-end). The mitogenome was assembled using MITObim v1.9, annotated via MITOS2, and validated by PCR. Phylogenetic analyses employed 13 protein-coding genes under Bayesian inference (MrBayes v3.2.7; 10⁶ generations, ESS > 200) and maximum likelihood (RAxML v8.2.12; 1000 bootstraps), with Harpiosquilla harpax as the outgroup. The best-fit substitution model (MtZoa + F + I + G4) was selected via jModelTest v2.1.10. Results: The 15,581 bp circular mitogenome encodes 37 genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs) and an A + T-rich control region (86.7%). Notably, trnS1 lacks the dihydrouracil arm—a rare structural deviation in Decapoda. The 13 PCGs exhibit moderate nucleotide skew (AT = 0.030; GC = −0.214), while nad5, nad4, and nad6 show significant GC-skew. Phylogenomic analyses strongly support (PP = 1.0; BS = 95) a novel sister-group relationship between Halocaridinidae and Typhlatyinae, contradicting prior morphology-based classifications. The monophyly of Penaeoidea, Astacidea, and Caridea was confirmed, but Eryonoidea and Crangonoidea formed an unexpected clade. Conclusions: This study provides the first mitogenomic framework for C. mariae, revealing both conserved features (e.g., PCG content) and lineage-specific innovations (e.g., tRNA truncation). The resolved phylogeny challenges traditional Caridea classifications and highlights convergent adaptation in freshwater lineages. These findings offer molecular tools for the conservation prioritization of threatened Caridina species and underscore the utility of mitogenomics in decapod systematics. Full article

The habitat characteristics preferred by Penaeus shrimp inhabiting positive (freshwater-dominated) estuaries in North America have been scarcely investigated. Identifying the main environmental factors within the estuary that affect shrimp abundance is relevant to understanding habitat utilization within this particular nursery habitat. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of penaeid shrimp species along the Soto La Marina River estuary (Northeastern Mexico), analyzing the influence of abiotic factors (water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen) and submerged aquatic vegetation biomass on shrimp populations. A total of 1069 shrimp belonging to four penaeid species (Penaeus aztecus, P. duorarum, P. brasiliensis, and P. setiferus) were collected. Except for P. setiferus, the highest shrimp abundance was near the mouth of the estuary, where the highest salinity and seagrass biomass (Halodule wrightii) were recorded. Salinity and seagrass biomass were the main factors influencing penaeids’ spatial preferences along the estuary, showing significant positive relationships with shrimp abundance in most of the cases examined. Penaeus setiferus was the only species exhibiting peak abundance in an estuarine area devoid of aquatic vegetation (without seagrass or macroalgae) and with a significantly lower salinity level (ca. 22 ppt) than the levels recorded near the river mouth (ca. 28–32 ppt). Differences in osmotic capacity between the species, the protective function of seagrasses against currents, and their role as feeding and refuge habitats could explain the observed spatial distribution in the estuary. Full article

The palaemonid shrimp genus Pseudopalaemon Sollaud, 1911, is endemic to South America, comprising seven freshwater and low salinity species. This study aimed to compile an overview of the genus, including an illustrated identification key for species and updated distributional data. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species were analyzed using specimens from several museums and other scientific collections. Current knowledge about the genus reveals significant knowledge gaps, particularly in species ecology. The data and insights from this study support future research and highlight a need for further studies on this group. Full article

Freshwater shrimps of the family Atyidae of New Guinea, including those from the Indonesian province of Papua, the Aru Islands, and the country of Papua New Guinea, are reviewed. A taxonomic synopsis is given to the 35 species identified so far, including two new species, namely Caridina iriana and C. yapenensis. Six species are recorded for the first time from New Guinea, namely Caridina mertoni, C. neglecta, C. brevicarpalis, C. endehensis, C. appendiculata, and C. cf. sikipozo. Seven landlocked species are found to be endemic to New Guinea, namely C. demani, C. cognata, C. fecunda, C. rouxi, C. buergersi C. elisabethae, and Parisia holthuisi. Biogeographically, apart from 11 species endemic to New Guinea, the majority of the amphidromous atyid shrimp species are found to be either restricted to the Island Chain of West Pacific (8 species) or restricted to the Indo-Australian Archipelago region, with New Guinea/Solomon Islands being the eastern and India/Sri Lanka being the western limits of their ranges (8 species), and five are restricted to the West Pacific, with Sulawesi/Philippines their western limit. Only three species are widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific region. Descriptions/diagnoses for the new, taxonomically important or poorly known species, taxonomic discussions, habitat and distribution information for all species are presented. Full article

The covert mortality nodavirus (CMNV), an emerging pathogen that infects several species severely in aquaculture, including marine shrimps, freshwater prawns, and crabs, has been detected in both wild Artemia and commercial Artemia cysts. Utilization of Artemia from unknown sources can impose considerable biosecurity risks in hatchery operations; therefore, effective hatching methods to eliminate the pathogenic potential from CMNV-positive (CMNV+) Artemia cysts are urgently needed. In this work, we assessed the efficacy of three treatment methods of disinfecting CMNV+ Artemia cysts during hatching: (1) decapsulation of Artemia cysts with Na₂CO₃ (sodium carbonate) and NaClO (sodium hypochlorite) at various durations before hatching; (2) application of different concentrations of formalin in hatching water; (3) combinations of decapsulating Artemia cysts and formalin-treated hatching water. Hatching CMNV+ Artemia with disinfected seawater only served as the control. The virus located on the cyst shells attached/infected Artemia larvae during hatching and remained active for a prolonged time of 7 days. The viral load of empty shells decreased with the decapsulation treatment time. After a 45 min treatment of decapsulation, CMNV on shells, as well as larvae, were eliminated successfully. Furthermore, decapsulation shortened the hatching time of the cysts from 19 h to 12 h. Ten ppm formalin in the hatching water could block the transmission of CMNV from the shells to the newly hatched larvae, although at this level it was insufficient to eliminate the virus from the shells completely. While use of 30 ppm formalin or higher dosage could eliminate CMNV, however, it also reduced the hatching rates of the Artemia cysts. A combination of decapsulation (treated with Na₂CO₃-NaClO for 15 min) and 10 ppm formalin in hatching water effectively eliminated the CMNV. This study developed a practical, effective, and reliable treatment method for hatching Artemia to ensure biosecurity in aquaculture hatcheries. Full article

While adult fireflies are terrestrial, their larvae inhabit various habitat types, and a lack of comprehensive research on the feeding habits of these larvae across different habitats has greatly impeded the development of artificial diets. Here, we tested 14 types of foods, primarily covering gastropods, vertebrates, and fruit, to survey feed for aquatic (Aquatica leii and Sclerotia substriata), semi-aquatic (Pygoluciola qingyu and Pygoluciola sp.), and terrestrial (Pyrocoelia analis) fireflies. The results show that A. leii, S. substriata, P. qingyu, Pygoluciola sp., and P. analis fed on 12, 6, 10, 10, and 7 different foods, respectively, showing an obvious difference in feeding range among various inhabit types of fireflies. Aquatic lineages preferred to consume freshwater snails, followed by pork meat and land slugs, while semi-aquatic fireflies favored freshwater snails, followed by fish and shrimp. Favorite foods were thus freshwater snails such as Cipangopaludina chinensis for both aquatic and semi-aquatic fireflies, but feeding preference differed for second favorite foods (e.g., pork vs. fish meat). Terrestrial Pyrocoelia analis showed different feeding preferences compared withthe other two habitat lineages, with terrestrial snails and slugs as their favorite foods, followed by freshwater snails, such as C. chinensis. These findings not only uncovered larval feeding habits of fireflies across various inhabit types but also indicated that readily available and affordable C. chinensis products can serve as wild snail alternatives in the artificial feeding of fireflies. This study is the first to explore the feeding habits of firefly species inhabiting water and land habitat types, adding to the understanding of the feeding characteristics of fireflies. Full article

Giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) farming in Bangladesh began in the 1970s and has become a significant export industry. Despite its potential, there are concerns about the environmental sustainability of prawn farming due to its high greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint, but implementation of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) may help minimize the GHG emission. A key element in IMTA is using plants to take up inorganic nutrients released by the prawns, producing valuable plant products and cleaning the water. Using a quadrat sampling method, we conducted a field study in combined prawn and shrimp ponds, aquaculture fishponds, and non-aquaculture waters in south- west Bangladesh to characterize plant diversity and identify suitable species for IMTA in prawn farms. A total of 38 plant species were identified with densities ranging from 4.5–6.1 plants/m² in the aquaculture ponds to 11.6–17.1 plants/m² in the prawn/shrimp and the non-aquaculture ponds. Free-floating plants were the most abundant, followed by emergent, floating anchored, and submerged plants. Most plants have commercial values as food, fodder, fish feed, fertilizer, or medicines to local people. Our results suggest that species within the Oxalis, Ipomoea, Azolla, and Lemna genera are suitable extractive aquatic plants for the implementation of IMTA in prawn farms and may improve the sustainability of prawn production. Full article

Mangrove sediments serve as paleoenvironmental records of organic matter and nutrient accumulation. Ecuador, the world’s largest producer of whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei in brackish waters, lost 43% of its continental mangroves between 1969 and 1999. Currently, more than 70,000 hectares of shrimp farms operate in estuaries with mangroves and within mangrove reserves. Variations in mangrove coverage and the extent of shrimp farms are described for the period 1996–2020 for two mangrove reserves, REMACAM and RVSMERM, with an observed increase in the extent of shrimp farms in both reserves. Four sediment cores obtained from mangrove drains and drains transformed into shrimp farm infrastructures were analyzed to observe the impact of this activity on the cumulative changes in total organic carbon (TOC) content and total nitrogen (TN) content, the fractionation of stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N, as well as the TOC/TN ratio. The mangrove drains in REMACAM had 3.8 times more TOC and 2.3 times more TN than drains transformed into shrimp farms in RVSMERM, with lower TOC/TN ratios. The organic matter in sediments from sectors with a higher proportion of shrimp farms mainly came from particulate organic matter of freshwater and freshwater algae compared to mangrove drains. Increases in TOC and TN content were recorded in all analyzed sectors, which could be attributed to the cumulative impact of population growth, the development of other agricultural crops, and continental deforestation, despite the fact that proportionally, the highest increases occurred in the sector with a greater influence of shrimp farms. Full article

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry that contributes to the growing global demand for food. Numerous studies have investigated the necessity of increasing food production while reducing its negative effects on the environment. Aquaculture involves the cultivation of aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, and mollusks that require water for their growth and maintenance in various types of aquaculture operations, such as recirculated aquaculture systems (RASs), ponds, and sea cages. This study investigates mainly life cycle assessment (LCA) in relation to water consumption, the water footprint (WF) and water budgeting approaches in aquaculture. In addition, it contributes to the expansion of knowledge and understanding of the different methodologies used, production practices, types of water (freshwater, marine or brackish) and direct or indirect water consumption in intensive, semi-intensive and extensive types of aquaculture. Notably, this study focuses on water consumption and does not include water indices that account for all the water used in a system, regardless of whether it is returned to the sourced watershed and is therefore available for other uses. Approximately 15% of the reviewed studies focus on the fish processing stage of the production chain, which emphasizes the need for more research on this stage. The species of carp, tilapia, shrimp, and catfish are the most frequently studied aquatic animals in relation to water consumption in aquaculture. Research on water consumption patterns can contribute to the development of a more water-efficient aquaculture system that is essential for promoting sustainable practices. Full article

The increasing installation of shrimp farms in vulnerable coastal areas around the world generates an environmental impact and makes it urgent to develop methodologies and studies for assessing and scaling the potential risks and sustainability of these activities. One of the main hazards of these activities is that the prolonged inundation of excavated ponds for shrimp farming allows the percolation of saltwater in the surroundings, resulting in increasing groundwater salinity. Saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, accompanied by salinization of soils, causes a decrease in available freshwater resources, a decline in crop productivity and the deterioration of the natural ecosystem. The coastal aquifer of Rio Grande do Norte State (Brazil) where, for years, several shrimp farm factories have been operating, reported some issues related to aquifer and soil salinization. The present study aims to assess the origin of and delineate groundwater salinization in a sector of this coastal aquifer using a low-budget procedure. The integration of hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characterization by drilling shallow piezometers, measuring the hydrostatic level and analyzing the major ion concentrations of the groundwater has made it possible to establish that the origin of groundwater pollution in the studied area is caused by saltwater percolation from shrimp farms. The joint use of both characterization techniques has been shown to have an efficient cost–benefit ratio and less-intrusive methodology, which can be applied in other areas with similar environmental concerns. Full article

Information about the population structure, including the age and sex composition, growth characteristics, and diet of fish, is essential for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fish stock. The burbot, Lota lota, is the only freshwater species of the family Lotidae in the Amur (Heilongjiang) River catchment located in northeastern China. Information on the biological characteristics and data on the population structure of this fish from the Amur River are scarce. To study these factors in burbot, Lota lota, in the Amur River of China, 749 specimens from four sampling areas were taken and analyzed in October 2022, January 2023, and May 2023. The ages of the sampled fish ranged from 1+ to 7+ years. The female/male ratio was 1.04:1, and body length and mass varied from 175 to 595 mm and 73.5 to 1958.7 g, respectively. The length–weight regression parameter b value was estimated as 2.80. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model were L_∞ = 596, K = 0.221, and t₀ = −0.771 for all sampled fish; L_∞ = 625, K = 0.208, and t₀ = −0.756 for females; and L_∞ = 584, K = 0.219, and t₀ = −0.980 for males. The analysis of the stomach contents showed fish to be the major source of nutrition across all areas and sampling periods. In January, the secondary prey of burbots in the Huma reach of the upper Amur River was aquatic insect larvae, while, in the Tongjiang and Fuyuan reaches of the middle Amur River, the secondary prey was shrimp. The mean stomach fullness index and rate of empty stomachs differed with the sampling area, with the greatest proportion of empty stomachs observed in the Luobei reach of the middle Amur River, and the lowest in the Tongjiang and Fuyuan reaches. The mean stomach fullness index showed the opposite trend. In the Huma reach, the contributions of fish to the diet and the mean stomach fullness index were significantly higher in May than in October and January. The study provides the first detailed information on the population age and sex structure, growth patterns, and feeding ecology of burbots from the Amur River, China. The results will aid in formulating management strategies and regulations for local populations of burbots in the Amur River, China. Full article