Pathogenicity of white-spot syndrome virus in Macrobrachium nipponensis via different infection routes / 生物工程学报

Macrobrachium nipponensis is delicious and has high economic value, but its susceptibility to white-spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is unknown. Susceptibility, morbidity, and multiplication of WSSV in M. nipponense were studied by epidemiological survey, infection experiment and qPCR. M. nipponense was the natural host of WSSV, and the natural carrying rate was about 8.33%. M. nipponense could be infected with WSSV via oral administration, muscle injection and immersion, and the cumulative infection rate of 10 d exposure was 100%, and the cumulative mortality rates were 100%, 75% and 0%, respectively. The infection of WSSV is fast by muscle injection. The virus content after 5 day's injection is 1 000 times higher than that of the first day of infection, and the mortality rate reached 100% after 8 days. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) measured as the mortality of infected M. nipponense via injection indicated the LD₅₀ in the concentration of WSSV of 2.71×10⁵ virions/μL. In shrimp farming, M. nipponense can be infected by ingesting WSSV infected shrimp or dead shrimp, and also by soaking in WSSV-containing water and thus become a vector, consequently affecting the spread and pathogenicity of WSSV.

Effect of salinity on the metabolism and osmoregulation of selected ontogenetic stages of an amazon population of Macrobrachium amazonicum shrimp (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) / Efeito da salinidade sobre o metabolismo e a osmorregulação de estágios ontogenéticos selecionados de uma população amazônica do camarão Macrobrachium amazonicum (Decapoda, Palaemonidade)

Probably as a function of their wide geographical distribution, the different population of Macrobrachium amazonicum shrimp may present distinct physiological, biochemical, reproductive, behavioral, and ecological patterns. These differences are so accentuated that the existence of allopatric speciation has been suggested, although initial studies indicate that the genetic variability of populations happen at an intraspecific level. Among the biological responses described for M. amazonicum populations, those regarding osmoregulation and metabolism play a key role for being related to the occupation of diverse habitats. To this effect, we investigated osmoregulation through the role of free amino acids in cell volume control and metabolism, through oxygen consumption in larvae (zoeae I, II, V and IX) and/or post-larvae of a M. amazonicum population from Amazon, kept in aquaculture fish hatcheries in the state of São Paulo. The results add information regarding the existence of distinct physiological responses among M. amazonicum populations and suggest that possible adjustments to metabolism and to the use of free amino acids as osmolytes of the regulation of the larvae and post-larvae cell volume depend on the appearance of structures responsible for hemolymph osmoregulation like, for example, the gills. In this respect, we verified that zoeae I do not alter their metabolism due to the exposition to fresh or brackish water, but they reduce intracellular concentration of free amino acids when exposed to fresh water, what may suggest the inexistence or inefficient performance of the structures responsible for volume regulation and hemolymph composition. On the other hand, in zoeae II and V exposed to fresh and brackish water, metabolism alterations were not followed by changes in free amino acids concentration. Thus it is possible, as the structures responsible for osmoregulation and ionic regulation become functional, that the role of free amino acids gets diminished and oxygen consumption elevated, probably due to greater energy expenditure with the active transportation of salts through epithelial membranes. Osmotic challenges also seem to alter throughout development, given that in zoeae II oxygen consumption is elevated on brackish water of 18, but in zoeae V it happens in fresh water. After M. amazonicum metamorphosis, free amino acids begin to play an important role as intracellular osmolytes, because we verified an increase of up to 40% in post-larvae exposed to brackish water of 18. The main free amino acids involved in cell volume regulation of ontogenetic stages evaluated were the non essential ones: glutamic acid, glycine, alanine, arginine, and proline. Interestingly, larvae from estuarine population studied here survived until the zoeae V stage in fresh water, but in some populations far from the sea, zoeae die right after eclosion in fresh water or they do not reach zoeae III stage. In addition, given that in favorable conditions caridean shrimp larvae shorten their development, we may infer that the cultivation environment, in which larvae developed in the present work, was appropriate, because almost all zoeae VIII kept on brackish water underwent metamorphosis directly to post-larvae and did not go through zoeae IX stage.

Provavelmente como função da sua ampla distribuição geográfica, as diferentes populações do camarão Macrobrachium amazonicum podem apresentar distintos padrões fisiológicos, bioquímicos, reprodutivos, comportamentais e ecológicos. Essas diferenças são tão acentuadas que tem sido sugerido a existência de especiação alopátrica embora estudos iniciais indiquem que a variabilidade genética das populações ocorre ao nível intraespecífico. Dentre as respostas biológicas descritas para as populações de M. amazonicum, aquelas relacionadas à osmorregulação e metabolismo têm papel central por estarem relacionadas à ocupação dos diversos habitats. Nesse sentido, investigou-se a osmorregulação, por meio do papel dos aminoácidos livres no controle do volume celular e o metabolismo, por meio do consumo de oxigênio, em larvas (zoeas I, II, V e IX) e/ou pós-larvas de uma população de M. amazonicum oriunda da Amazônia e mantida em viveiros de aquicultura no estado de São Paulo. Os resultados adicionam informações a respeito da existência de respostas fisiológicas distintas entre as populações de M. amazonicum e sugerem que possíveis ajustes no metabolismo e no uso de aminoácidos livres como osmólitos da regulação do volume celular das larvas e pós-larvas dependem do surgimento de estruturas responsáveis pela osmorregulação da hemolinfa como, por exemplo, as brânquias. Nesse sentido, verificou-se que as zoeas I não alteram seu metabolismo em função da exposição à água doce ou salobra, mas reduzem a concentração intracelular de aminoácidos livres quando expostas à água doce, o que pode sugerir a inexistência ou um desempenho ineficiente das estruturas responsáveis pela regulação do volume e composição da hemolinfa. Por outro lado, nas zoeas II e V expostas à água doce ou salobra alterações no metabolismo não foram acompanhadas por mudanças na concentração dos aminoácidos livres. Assim é possível que à medida que estruturas responsáveis pela osmo e ionorregulação tornam-se funcionais, o papel dos aminoácidos livres se torne reduzido e o consumo de oxigênio elevado, provavelmente em função do maior gasto energético com o transporte ativo de sais através das membranas epiteliais. Os desafios osmóticos também parecem se alterar ao longo do desenvolvimento visto que em zoeas II o consumo de oxigênio é elevado em água salobra de 18 mas em zoeas V essa resposta ocorre em água doce. Após a metamorfose de M. amazonicum, os aminoácidos livres passam a ter papel importante como osmólitos intracelulares, pois se verificou um aumento de até 40% nas pós-larvas expostas à água salobra de 18. Os principais aminoácidos livres envolvidos na regulação do volume celular dos estágios ontogenéticos avaliados foram os não essenciais ácido glutâmico, glicina, alanina, arginina e prolina. Interessantemente, as larvas da população estuarina aqui estudada sobrevivem até o estágio de zoea V em água doce mas em algumas populações distantes do mar as zoeas morrem logo após a eclosão em água doce ou não chegam ao estágio de zoea III. Adicionalmente, visto que em condições favoráveis as larvas de camarões carídeos abreviam o seu desenvolvimento pode ser inferido que o meio de cultivo em que as larvas se desenvolveram no presente trabalho foi adequado, pois quase todas as zoeas VIII mantidas em água salobra sofreram diretamente a metamorfose para pós-larvas e não passaram pelo estágio de zoeas IX.

Vibrio spp. from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawn farming are inhibited by Moringa oleifera extracts

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of extracts of stem, leaves, flowers, pods and seeds of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) against Vibrio spp. from hatchery water and the prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum.@*METHODS@#The ethanol extracts of stem, leaves, pods and seeds and chloroform extract of flowers of M. oleifera were tested against Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) serogroups non-O1/non-O139 (n = 4), Vibrio vulnificus (n = 1) and Vibrio mimicus (n = 1). Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC(®) 25922) was used as quality control. Vibrio species were obtained from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawns and from hatchery water from prawn farming. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution method.@*RESULTS@#The best result was obtained with the ethanol extract of pods, which inhibited three strains of the V. cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio mimicus and E. coli (MIC range 0.312-5.000 mg/mL). The chloroform extract of flowers was effective against all V. cholerae strains and E. coli (MIC range 0.625-1.250 mg/mL). However, the ethanol extracts of stem and seeds showed low effectiveness in inhibiting the bacterial growth.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The extracts of pods, flowers and leaves of M. oleifera have potential for the control of Vibrio spp. Further studies are necessary to isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for this antimicrobial activity.

Vibrio spp. from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawn farming are inhibited by Moringa oleifera extracts

Objective: To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of extracts of stem, leaves, flowers, pods and seeds of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) against Vibrio spp. from hatchery water and the prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum. Methods: The ethanol extracts of stem, leaves, pods and seeds and chloroform extract of flowers of M. oleifera were tested against Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae) serogroups non-O1/non-O139 (n = 4), Vibrio vulnificus (n = 1) and Vibrio mimicus (n = 1). Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC® 25922) was used as quality control. Vibrio species were obtained from Macrobrachium amazonicum prawns and from hatchery water from prawn farming. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution method. Results: The best result was obtained with the ethanol extract of pods, which inhibited three strains of the V. cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio mimicus and E. coli (MIC range 0.312-5.000 mg/mL). The chloroform extract of flowers was effective against all V. cholerae strains and E. coli (MIC range 0.625-1.250 mg/mL). However, the ethanol extracts of stem and seeds showed low effectiveness in inhibiting the bacterial growth. Conclusions: The extracts of pods, flowers and leaves of M. oleifera have potential for the control of Vibrio spp. Further studies are necessary to isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for this antimicrobial activity.

Macrobrachium amazonicum: an alternative for microbiological monitoring of aquatic environments in Brazil / Macrobrachium amazonicum uma alternativa para o monitoramento microbiológico de ambientes aquáticos no Brasil

This study aimed to evaluate the role of the Amazon River prawn, Macrobrachium amazonicum, as carrier of Candida spp., by analyzing the correlation between Candida spp. from these prawns and their environment (surface water and sediment), through M13-PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR. For this purpose, 27 strains of Candida spp. were evaluated. These strains were recovered from the gastrointestinal tract of adult M. amazonicum (7/27) from Catú Lake, Ceará State, Brazil and from the aquatic environment (surface water and sediment) of this lake (20/27). Molecular comparison between the strains from prawns and the aquatic environment was conducted by M13-PCR fingerprinting and RAPD-PCR, utilizing the primers M13 and OPQ16, respectively. The molecular analysis revealed similarities between the band patterns of eight Candida isolates with the primer M13 and 11 isolates with the primer OPQ16, indicating that the same strains are present in the digestive tract of M. amazonicum and in the aquatic environment where these prawns inhabit. Therefore, these prawns can be used as sentinels for environmental monitoring through the recovery of Candida spp. from the aquatic environment in their gastrointestinal tract.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o papel do camarão Macrobrachium amazonicum como carreador de Candida spp. do ambiente aquático, por meio da análise da correlação entre Candida spp. isoladas desse camarão e do seu ambiente (água de superfície e sedimento) através das técnicas de M13-PCR fingerprinting e RAPD-PCR. Para tanto, 27 cepas de Candida spp. foram avaliadas. Essas cepas foram recuperadas a partir do trato gastrointestinal de M. amazonicum adultos (7/27), oriundos da lagoa do Catú, Ceará, Brasil, e do meio aquático (águas superficiais e sedimentos) desse lago (20/27). A comparação molecular entre as cepas de camarões e o ambiente aquático foi conduzida por M13-PCR fingerprinting e RAPD-PCR, utilizando os iniciadores M13 e OPQ16, respectivamente. A análise molecular revelou semelhanças entre os padrões de bandas de oito isolados de Candida com o iniciador M13 e 11 isolados com o primer OPQ16, indicando que elas estão presentes no trato digestivo de M. amazonicum e no ambiente aquático, onde esses camarões habitam. Portanto, essa espécie de camarão pode ser usada como sentinela para monitoramento ambiental através da recuperação de Candida spp. do ambiente aquático, a partir do seu trato gastrointestinal.

Treatment efficiency of effluent prawn culture by wetland with floating aquatic macrophytes arranged in series / Eficiência de wetland com macrófitas aquáticas flutuantes dispostas em serie para o tratamento do efluente do cultivo de camarão

The efficiency of a series of wetland colonized with Eichhornia crassipes and Salvinia molesta to treat the effluent of a giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) broodstock pond was evaluated in this study. The experimental design was completely randomized and was performed in 9 rectangular tanks (1.6 m3) with three treatments (constructed wetlands) and three replicates. The treatment types included: a wetland colonized with E. crassipes and S. molesta (EcSm) arranged sequentially, a wetland with E. crassipes only (Ec) and a wetland with S. molesta only (Sm). The means of suspended particulate material (SPM), total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), P-orthophosphate (PO4-P) and total phosphorus (TP) of the treated effluents were compared using ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P<0.05). The effluent treated in Ec and EcSm wetlands exhibited lower SPM concentrations. The Ec wetland reduced TIN, TKN, PO4-P and TP by 46.0, 43.7, 44.4 and 43.6%, respectively. In the EcSm wetland, the reduction of TIN (23.0%), TKN (33.7%) and PO4-P (26.7%) was similar to the Sm wetland (19.8% TIN, 30.9% TKN and 23.8% PO4-P). The Ec wetland was more efficient in treating pond effluent due likely to the higher root surface of E. crassipes, which forms an extensive area favorable to retention and adsorption of debris and absorption of nutrients.

Neste estudo foi avaliada a eficiência de uma wetland povoada com Eichhornia crassipes e Salvinia molesta para o tratamento do efluente de um viveiro de manutenção de reprodutores do camarão-da-malásia (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Um experimento totalmente casualizado foi realizado em 9 tanques retangulares (1,6 m3) com 3 tratamentos (wetlands construídas) e 3 repetições. Os tratamentos foram: wetland povoada com E. crassipes e S. molesta (EcSm) dispostas nesta sequência, wetland somente com E. crassipes (Ec) e wetland somente com S. molesta (Sm). Os valores de material particulado em suspensão (MPS), nitrogênio inorgânico total (NIT), nitrogênio Kjeldahl total (NKT), P-ortofosfato (P-PO4) e fósforo total (PT) dos efluentes tratados foram comparados pela ANOVA seguida do teste de Tukey (P<0,05). A wetland Ec reduziu a concentração de NIT, NKT, P-PO4 e PT em 46,0%, 43,7%, 44,4% e 43,6%. Na wetland EcSm a redução de NIT (23,0%), NKT (33,7%) e P-PO4 (26,7%) foi semelhante à observada na wetland Sm (19,8% para NIT, 30,9% para NKT e 23,8% para P-PO4). A wetland povoada com E. crassipes é mais eficiente no tratamento do efluente do viveiro, provavelmente devido a maior superfície radicular da macrófita que permite a formação de uma extensa área propícia à retenção e adsorção dos detritos e à absorção dos nutrientes.

Effects of different dietary of protein and lipid levels on the growth of freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium carcinus) broodstock / Efecto de diferentes niveles dietéticos de proteína y lípidos en el crecimiento de reproductores del langostino de agua dulce (Macrobrachium carcinus)

Objective. Evaluate the effects of varying dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth and body composition of adult freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium carcinus (Linnaeus 1758), in a recirculation system for 11 weeks (77 days). Materials and methods. The experimental treatments were assigned in triplicate. Six test diets were formulated with three different protein levels (35, 40 and 45%) and two lipid levels (8 and 13%). Results. The highest survival rate, growth indices and feed utilization were observed for M. carcinus adults fed protein:lipid diets of 35:13, 40:13 and 45:13, and the lowest values for these parameters were recorded for prawns fed diets with the lowest lipid levels; the differences in these parameters between these types of diets were significant (p<0.05). A non-significant tendency for an increased percentage of protein in the body with an increased dietary protein level was observed. The percentage of lipids decreased with an increasing dietary protein level, and no definite trends in ash content were found. Conclusions. The results suggest that a diet with 35% dietary crude protein and 13% lipids enhances the growth and body composition of adult M. carcinus.

Objetivo. Evaluar los efectos de diversos niveles dietéticos de proteína y lípidos en el crecimiento y composición corporal de reproductores del langostino de agua dulce Macrobrachium carcinus (Linnaeus 1758), en un sistema de recirculación durante 11 semanas (77 días). Materiales y métodos. Los tratamientos experimentales fueron asignados por triplicado. Seis dietas de prueba fueron formuladas con tres niveles diferentes de proteínas (35, 40 y 45%) y dos niveles de lípidos (8 y 13%). Resultados. Se observó la tasa más alta de supervivencia, índices de crecimiento y utilización del alimento para ejemplares adultos de M. carcinus alimentados con niveles dietarios de proteína: lípidos de 35:13, 40:13 y 45:13, mientras que el valor más bajo en estos parámetros se registró en langostinos alimentados con el nivel más bajo de lípidos; las diferencias en estos parámetros entre estos tipos de dietas fueron significativas (p<0.05). Se observó una tendencia no significativa en un aumento del porcentaje de proteína en el cuerpo con un nivel mayor de proteína dietética. El porcentaje de lípidos disminuyó con un nivel de proteína dietario creciente, y no se encontró ninguna tendencia definida en el contenido de cenizas. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que una combinación de dieta de proteína cruda del 35% y 13% de lípidos mejora el crecimiento y composición corporal de M. carcinus adultos.

Brachyuran crustaceans from the bycatch of prawn fisheries at the mouth of the Amazon river / Crustáceos Brachyura da fauna acompanhante da pesca artesanal de camarões de água doce na foz do rio Amazonas

The present paper is a pioneering study on the Brachyura bycatch associated with the artisan prawn fisheries at the mouth of the Amazon River. The study was conducted at four collection sites distributed along the mouth of the Amazon River between the months of January/2009 and January/2010. The animals were caught using handcrafted traps called "matapi", which are used by prawn fisherman in the region. Twenty matapis were used at each collection site. A total of 145 specimens were captured and six species were identified, all belonging to the Trichodactylidae family - Sylviocarcinus maldonadoensis, S. pictus, S. devillei, Valdivia serrata, Dilocarcinus septemdentatus and D. pagei. The most representative species, S. maldonadoensis, S. pictus and S. devillei were classified as regular. Regarding the composition of the capture, there were three specimens of D. pagei , only one male specimen of D. septemdentatus, forty-eight specimens of S. maldonadoensis, sixty-eight specimens of S. pictus, twenty-two specimens of S. devillei and three specimens of V. serrata. In all months, the brachyuran fauna showed a considerably lower biomass when compared to the prawns, representing only 5% of the catch, in a ratio of 1:0.06. For most species, the number of males was always higher than the number of females in almost all collection months.

O presente trabalho constitui um estudo inédito sobre a fauna de Brachyura associada à pesca artesanal de camarões na foz do rio Amazonas. Este estudo foi realizado em quatro pontos de coleta distribuídos na foz do Rio Amazonas, entre os meses de janeiro/2009 e janeiro/2010. Os animais foram capturados utilizando armadilhas artesanais denominadas "matapis" usados por pescadores de camarão na região. Em cada ponto da coleta foram usados 20 matapis. Foram identificados seis espécies em um total de 145 indivíduos capturados, sendo todos pertencentes a família Trichodactylidae: Sylviocarcinus maldonadoensis, S. pictus, S. devillei, Valdivia serrata, Dilocarcinus septemdentatus e D. pagei. As espécies mais representativas S. maldonadoensis, S. pictus e S. devillei, foram classificadas como regulares. Quanto à composição da captura temos D. pagei com três exemplares, D. septemdentatus com apenas um exemplar macho S. maldonadoensis com 48 exemplares, S. pictus com 68 exemplares, S. devillei com 22 exemplares e V. serrata com 3 exemplares. A fauna de Brachyura apresentou, em todos os meses, uma biomassa consideravelmente menor se comparada a dos camarões, representando apenas 5% da captura, com uma proporção de 1:0,06. Para maioria das espécies a proporção de machos foi sempre superior a de fêmeas em quase todos os meses de coleta.

Temporal variation in the water quality of ponds and effluent of grow-out ponds of Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum

This study was conducted in the Crustacean Sector of the Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP) at the São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal (21°1522”S and 48°1848”W) São Paulo, Brazil, from December 2003 to May 2004. The aim was to examine the water quality parameters of importance to freshwater prawn culture, operated in a semi-intensive system in Amazon River. Nine 0.01-ha earthen ponds were stocked with 20 juveniles.m-2. Prawns were fed commercial diet at a rate of 7 to 9% of biomass until the 14th week. After 145 days of stocking, all ponds were drained and harvested. The following water parameters were determined weekly: dissolved oxygen, oxygen biochemical demand, pH, total alkalinity, electrical conductivity, suspended total solids and turbidity, N-nitrate, N-nitrite, N-nitrogen ammonia, N- total, soluble ortophosphate, total phosphorus, chlorophyll and pheophytin. In the semi-intensive culture system of M. amazonicum, there was no clear pattern of temporal variation in the limnological variables studied. Dissolved oxygen, pH, BOD, ammonia nitrogen and nitrate increased in the afternoon period while, the other variables did not change. In general, water quality is more dependent on the biological processes that occur in the pond than on the characteristics of the renewal water for some variable

Este estudio se llevó a cabo en el Sector de Crustáceos del Centro de Acuicultura (CAUNESP) de la Universidad Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal (21°15'22”S y 48°18'48”W) en São Paulo, Brasil; entre diciembre de 2003 y mayo de 2004. El objetivo fue evaluar los parámetros de calidad de agua con importancia para los cultivos de camarón de agua dulce, operado en un sistema semi-intensivo de estanques en río Amazonas. Nueve estanques de 0,01 ha, fueron sembrados a una densidad de 20 juveniles.m-2, y alimentados con una dieta comercial a una tasa de 7 a 9% de la biomassa, hasta la semana 14. Después de 145 días de crianza, todos los estanques fueron drenados y cosechados. Se determinaron semanalmente los siguientes: oxígeno disuelto, demanda bioquímica de oxígeno, pH, alcalinidad total, conductividad eléctrica, sólidos totales en suspensión y turbidez, nitrato-N, N-nitrito, amoníaco-nitrógeno N, N-total, ortofosfato soluble, total fósforo, clorofila y feofitina. En el sistema de cultivo semi-intensivo de M. amazonicum, no hubo un patrón claro de variación temporal en las variables limnológicas estudiadas. Oxígeno disuelto, pH, DBO, nitrógeno amoniacal y nitratos aumentaron durante las tardes, mientras que las otras variables no cambiaron. En general, la calidad del agua es más dependiente de los procesos biológicos que se producen en el estanque, que de las características de la renovación del agua para alguna variable

Efecto del nivel proteico de la dieta sobre el desarrollo de juveniles de Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871) / Effect of dietary protein level on the development of juveniles of Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871)

Objetivo.Evaluar el efecto de cinco niveles de proteína cruda (PC) en alimentos balanceados sobre el crecimiento, sobrevivencia y tasa de conversión alimenticia (FCA) en juveniles de Macrobrachium tenellum. Materiales y métodos. Se alimentó por 60 días a juveniles de M. tenellum (0.31±0.01 g y 32.62±1.10 mm) con niveles de 20, 25, 30, 35 y 40% de PC en el alimento. Los organismos fueron distribuidos al azar en 15 tinas experimentales de 64 L (15 org./tina) bajo condiciones controladas (5.95±0.41 ppm de oxígeno, 29.89±0.72°C, y pH 8.44±0.15) y alimentados con el 10% de su peso vivo. Resultados. El porcentaje de sobrevivencia fue del 98.22±3.96% sin diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos (p>0.05). Los organismos alimentados con un 40% de PC tuvieron un peso significativamente mayor (p<0.05) respecto a los demás tratamientos (cambio de peso de 0.54±0.02g; incremento de peso de 173.60±12.99%; y tasa de crecimiento específico de 1.68±0.08). El FCA fue significativamente mejor (p<0.05) en los organismos alimentados con 35 y 40% de PC (2.85±0.18 y 2.40±0.05, respectivamente) que los demás tratamientos. Conclusiones. Los organismos juveniles de M. tenellum alimentados con niveles altos de proteína (40%), se desarrollaron más rápido que organismos que recibieron una menor concentración de proteína bajo las condiciones experimentales establecidas en este estudio.

Objective. To evaluate the effect of five levels of crude protein (CP) in balanced feed on the survival, growth and feed conversion ratio (FCA) in juveniles of Macrobrachium tenellum. Materials and methods. Juveniles of M. tenellum (0.31±0.01g and 32.62±1.10mm) were fed for 60 days with 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% of CP in feed. The organisms were randomly distributed in 15 experimental tanks (15 org /tank) under controlled conditions (5.95±0.41 ppm of oxygen, 29.89 ± 0.72 °C, and pH 8.44±0.15) and fed with 10% of its live weight. Results. The survival percentage was 98.22±3.96% with no statistical difference between treatments (p>0.05). The organisms fed with 40% CP in their diet had a significantly higher weight (p<0.05) compared to the other treatments (weight change of 0.54±0.02g; weight increase 173.60±12.99%, and specific growth rate of 1.68±0.08). The FCA was significantly better (p<0.05) in organisms fed with 35 and 40% CP (2.85±0.18 and 2.40±0.05, respectively) than other treatments. Conclusions. Juveniles of M. tenellum fed with high protein levels (40%) developed faster than organisms which received a lower concentration of the protein under the experimental conditions established for this study.

Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of Bisphenol-A on male freshwater prawn Macrobrachium asperulum.

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine-disrupting chemical that is distributed world wide, is extensively employed in industry, dentistry and consumer household products. This study was conducted to explore the estrogenic effects of BPA on the male freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium asperulum, by examining the daily survival rate, molting frequency, hepatosomatic index (HSI), and levels of vitellogenin-like protein. Results revealed that BPA can elicit the expression of vitellogenin-like protein (0.09 and 0.09 mg P·(mg protein)-1, respectively) in male organisms exposed to 0.1 and 1 ng l-1 BPA at day 7. Moreover, prawns were perceived to be sensitive to estrogenic compounds. Hence, it can be concluded that M. asperulum can be used as a species for biomonitoring, and levels of vitellogenin-like protein in males are a useful biomarker for detecting estrogenic contaminations.

Identification of the major allergen of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn)

Objective: To characterize the major allergens of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn). Methods: Raw and cooked extracts of the giant freshwater prawn were prepared. The IgE reactivity pattern was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting technique with the sera of 20 skin prick test (SPT) positive patients. The major allergen identified was then characterized using the proteomics approach involving a combination of two-dimensional (2-DE) electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics tools. Results: SDS-PAGE of the raw extract showed 23 protein bands (15-250 kDa) but those ranging from 40 to 100 kDa were not found in the cooked extract. From immunoblotting experiments, raw and cooked extracts demonstrated 11 and 5 IgE-binding proteins, respectively, with a molecular mass ranging from 15 to 155 kDa. A heat-resistant 36 kDa protein was identified as the major allergen of both extracts. In addition, a 42 kDa heat-sensitive protein was shown to be a major allergen of the raw extract. The 2-DE gel fractionated the prawn proteins to more than 50 different protein spots. Of these, 10 spots showed specific IgE reactivity with patients’ sera. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis led to identification of 2 important allergens, tropomyosin and arginine kinase. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the availability of such allergens would help in component-based diagnosis and therapy of prawn allergies.

Identification of the major allergen of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the major allergens of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Raw and cooked extracts of the giant freshwater prawn were prepared. The IgE reactivity pattern was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting technique with the sera of 20 skin prick test (SPT) positive patients. The major allergen identified was then characterized using the proteomics approach involving a combination of two-dimensional (2-DE) electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics tools.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SDS-PAGE of the raw extract showed 23 protein bands (15-250 kDa) but those ranging from 40 to 100 kDa were not found in the cooked extract. From immunoblotting experiments, raw and cooked extracts demonstrated 11 and 5 IgE-binding proteins, respectively, with a molecular mass ranging from 15 to 155 kDa. A heat-resistant 36 kDa protein was identified as the major allergen of both extracts. In addition, a 42 kDa heat-sensitive protein was shown to be a major allergen of the raw extract. The 2-DE gel fractionated the prawn proteins to more than 50 different protein spots. Of these, 10 spots showed specific IgE reactivity with patients' sera. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis led to identification of 2 important allergens, tropomyosin and arginine kinase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It can be concluded that the availability of such allergens would help in component-based diagnosis and therapy of prawn allergies.</p>

Identification of the major allergen of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn)

Objective To characterize the major allergens of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (giant freshwater prawn). Methods Raw and cooked extracts of the giant freshwater prawn were prepared. The IgE reactivity pattern was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting technique with the sera of 20 skin prick test (SPT) positive patients. The major allergen identified was then characterized using the proteomics approach involving a combination of two-dimensional (2-DE) electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and bioinformatics tools. Results SDS-PAGE of the raw extract showed 23 protein bands (15-250 kDa) but those ranging from 40 to 100 kDa were not found in the cooked extract. From immunoblotting experiments, raw and cooked extracts demonstrated 11 and 5 IgE-binding proteins, respectively, with a molecular mass ranging from 15 to 155 kDa. A heat-resistant 36 kDa protein was identified as the major allergen of both extracts. In addition, a 42 kDa heat-sensitive protein was shown to be a major allergen of the raw extract. The 2-DE gel fractionated the prawn proteins to more than 50 different protein spots. Of these, 10 spots showed specific IgE reactivity with patients' sera. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis led to identification of 2 important allergens, tropomyosin and arginine kinase. Conclusions It can be concluded that the availability of such allergens would help in component-based diagnosis and therapy of prawn allergies.

Respostas comportamentais do camarão de água doce Macrobrachium amazonicum à estimulação por cloreto de amônia / Behavioural responses of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum to chemical with ammonium chloride

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as respostas comportamentais do camarão de água doce Macrobrachium amazonicum, mediante estimulação química com cloreto de amônia a 100mM. Espécimes desse crustáceo foram posicionados em um aquário com quatro litros de água doce desclorificada, e um pulso de solução estimulante foi injetado no recipiente na extremidade oposta em relação à posição do animal. Os animais estudados não apresentaram resposta aos estímulos utilizados. Isso pode sugerir que o limiar de resposta comportamental é maior do que o limiar fisiológico dos neurônios receptivos primários, ou que o cloreto de amônia precisa ser associado com outros compostos ou determinadas variáveis físicas para poder gerar uma resposta ecológica na espécie estudada.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the behavioral responses of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum, elicited by stimulation with ammonium chloride at 100mM. Specimens were positioned in a four liter dechlorinated freshwater tank and a 0.5ml pulse of stimulant was applied in the opposing corner of the recipient. The studied animals demonstrated no response to the stimuli applied. This may suggest that the behavioral response threshold is higher than the physiological response threshold of the primary chemoreceptor neurons or that the ammonium chloride must be associated with other compounds or certain physical attributes in order to evoke an ethological reaction from the studied species.

Sub-lethal impact of carbaryl on food utilization in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium malcolmsonii.

This study determines the toxic effect of carbaryl (Sevin® 50% W.P) on the food utilization parameters in intermoult juveniles of the prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii. The prawns (4.5-5.0 cm in length and 1.0- 1.25 g wet wt.) were exposed to three sub-lethal concentrations of carbaryl (5.15, 7.73 and 15.47 μg l-1) for duration of 40 days. The toxic medium was renewed daily. The prawns were fed ad libitum with known energy quantity of boiled goat liver on daily basis. The overall wet weight gain was calculated. The energy lost through unconsumed food (15-60%), faeces (15-109%), ammonia excretion (9-27%) and moults (13-26%) of the prawns were calculated. The feeding rate, the rate and efficiency of absorption, the metabolic and food conversion rates and the gross and net food conversions efficiencies were found to be significantly declined (p<0.05) in test prawns when compared to that of the control. The energy lost through faeces, ammonia excretion and exuvia was found to be significantly elevated (p<0.05) in test prawns than that of the control. The effect of carbaryl on the bioenergetics parameters was severe in the highest sub-lethal concentration, less in the intermediate concentration and least in the lowest sub-lethal concentration. The results indicated that decrease in feeding, absorption, metabolism and food conversion are interdependent and toxicity of carbaryl diverting energy from production to maintenance pathways, which ultimately resulting in declined growth of M. malcolmsonii.

The history of the introduction of the giant river prawn, Macrobrachium cf. rosenbergii (Decapoda, Palaemonidae), in Brazil: new insights from molecular data

The giant river prawn, Macrobrachium cf. rosenbergii, is one of the most cultivated freshwater prawns in the world and has been introduced into more than 40 countries. In some countries, this prawn is considered an invasive species that requires close monitoring. Recent changes in the taxonomy of this species (separation of M. rosenbergii and M. dacqueti) require a re-evaluation of introduced taxa. In this work, molecular analyses were used to determine which of these two species was introduced into Brazil and to establish the geographic origin of the introduced populations that have invaded Amazonian coastal waters. The species introduced into Brazil was M. dacqueti through two introduction events involving prawns originating from Vietnam and either Bangladesh or Thailand. These origins differ from historical reports of the introductions and underline the need to confirm the origin of other exotic populations around the world. The invading populations in Amazonia require monitoring not only because the biodiversity of this region may be affected by the introduction, but also because admixture of different native haplotypes can increase the genetic variability and the likelihood of persistence of the invading species in new habitats.

Physico-chemical studies of river Pumba and distribution of prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Physico-chemical factors of river Pumba, Kerala has been analyzed to understand its relationship with the distribution of Giant river prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii in the water body. Water samples were taken from two sites on the basis of presence and absence of juveniles. Analysis of temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, dissolved carbondioxide and salinity of the water samples revealed that except salinity all the other parameters were identical in both the regions. Salinity was high i.e., 5 - 8‰ in lower Kuttanad region, where juveniles were seen. In upper Kuttanad region, where only adults were located, the salinity was of freshwater pattern i.e., 2.1-2.9‰. The gut content analysis of M. rosenbergii in both the regions showed similar food pattern. The study reveals the significance of a water body with high saline region for breeding purpose and low saline region i.e., freshwater pattern for adult prawns in the life cycle of M. rosenbergii.

Histoarchitectural features of the hepatopancreas of the Amazon River prawn Macrobrachium amazonicum / Histoarquitectura del hepatopáncreas del camarón de la Amazonia Macrobrachium amazonicum

In decapod crustaceans, the digestive gland is concerned with the digestion, absorption of nutrients, the storage of reserves and excretion. The metabolism and the histological and histochemical changes of the hepatopancreas are observed in response to physiological demands as moult, reproduction, digestive process. Thus the hepatopancreas structure should be recognized to provide important morphological information to future studies involving the nutrition requirements of freshwater prawn culture. In this study, second-generation Macrobrachium amazonicum produced from wild broodstock collected in the state of Para in Brazil were used. Thirty adult male and female M. amazonicum were selected and randomly transferred to five experimental units for macroscopic and microscopic studies. The hepatopancreas of M. amazonicum is a large, yellowish-brown, compact organ, which occupies much of the cephalothoracic cavity. It has right and left halves that are enclosed together in a laminar connective tissue capsule, and at the same time they are separated by an interstitial connective tissue. The two halves are thereby called the right and left hepatopancreatic lobes. The principal tubule gives rise to four secondary tubules at each hepatopancreatic lobe. The morphological and functional unit consists of a blind-ended hepatopancreatic tubule, considered in the present study as the hepatopancreatic lobule. Each hepatopancreatic tubule can be subdivided into distal, medial and proximal zones. The hepatopancreatic tubule is lined by a pseudostratified epithelium that consists of five different cell types, which include the E-cell (embryonic), F-cell (fibrillar), B-cell (blister-like), R-cell (resorptive) and M-cell (midgut or basal). It is important to emphasize that the function of each cell type in the hepatopancreas during the digestive cycle is not yet established for decapods.

La glándula digestiva en los crustáceos decápodos asume las funciones de digestión, absorción de nutrientes, almacenamiento de las reservas energéticas y excreción de metabolitos. El metabolismo y las alteraciones histológicas e histoquímicas son observados como respuesta a necesidades fisiológicas, tales como: muda, reproducción y procesos digestivos. Por lo tanto, se requiere conocer la estructura histológica del hepatopancreas con el fin de reunir información morfológica para futuros estudios que consideren las necesidades nutricionales para el cultivo de los camarones de agua dulce. Fueran utilizados 30 animales, machos y hembras de Macrobrachium amazonicum, producidos a partir de reproductores colectados en el Estado de Para, Brasil. Las observaciones macro y microscópicas permitieron concluir que el hepatopancreas del M. amazonicum es un órgano grande y compacto de color amarillo tendiendo a marrón, que ocupa la mayor parte de la cavidad céfalo-torácica. El órgano presenta dos mitades, derecha y izquierda, las cuales están envueltas por una cápsula de tejido conjuntivo, y al mismo tiempo, separadas por tejido conectivo intersticial. Las dos mitades del órgano son identificadas como lobos derecho e izquierdo. Cada lobo presenta un túbulo principal que origina cuatro túbulos secundarios. Por lo tanto, la unidad morfofuncional del hepatopancreas consiste en un túbulo hepatopancreático de fondo ciego, considerado en esta investigación como lóbulo hepatopancreático. Cada lóbulo hepatopancreático puede ser dividido en 3 regiones: distal, media y proximal, y en su totalidad, se observa revestido por epitelio seudo estratificado que reúne cinco tipos celulares: célula E (embrionaria), célula F (fibrilar), célula B (globosa), célula R (reabsortiva) y célula M (basal). Es importante enfatizar que la función de cada tipo celular del hepatopancreas no está todavía aclarada para los decápodos.

Growth of fresh-water prawn Macrobrachium tenellum (Smith, 1871) juveniles fed isoproteic diets substituting fish meal by soya bean meal

Growth parameters (standard length, weight, specific growth rate and daily weight gain) of prawn Macrobrachium tenellum juveniles fed 40 percent crude protein isoproteic diets substituting fish meal with soya bean meal at various levels (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent) were evaluated for 45 days under laboratory conditions. Experimental diets were compared with a 100 percent fish meal based diet. Total survival was recorded for all the treatments at the end of the experiment. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) for all the growth parameters among the dietary treatments. The initial mean weight (0.36 ± 0.10 g) increased almost three times (1.00 ± 0.13 g) after 45 days. The final specific growth fluctuated from 1.82 percent BW/d for the 60 percent soya bean meal inclusion diet, to 2.62 percent for the 100 percent fish meal diet. The mean final survival was 91.66 percent. Growth performance of M. tenellum juveniles was not affected by the dietary soya bean meal levels tested.

Os parâmetros do crescimento (comprimento padrão, peso, taxa de crescimento específica e ganho diário do peso) de juveniles do Macrobrachium tenellum alimentaram a 40 por cento a proteína crua as dietas isoproteic que substituem a refeição de peixes com feijão de soya a refeição nos vários níveis (20, 40, 60, 80 e 100 por cento) foi avaliada por 45 dias sob condições do laboratório. As dietas experimentais foram comparadas com uma dieta baseada da refeição de peixes de 100 por cento. A sobrevivência total foi gravada para todos os tratamentos no fim da experiência. Não havia nenhuma diferença significativa (p > 0.05) para todos os parâmetros do crescimento entre os tratamentos dietéticos. O peso médio inicial (0.36 ± 0.10 g) aumentado quase três vezes (1.00 ± 0.13 g) após 45 dias da cultura. O crescimento específico final flutuou de 1.82 por cento BW/d para a dieta do inclusion da refeição do feijão de soya de 60 por cento, a 2.62 por cento obtidos para a dieta da refeição de peixes de 100 por cento. A sobrevivência final média foi de 91.66 por cento. O desempenho do crescimento de juveniles do M. tenellum não foi afetado pelos níveis dietéticos da refeição do feijão de soya testados.