Cleaner shrimp do clean

Apart from cleaner fish, there are many reports on cleaning by shrimps, yet whether shrimps actually clean, i.e. eat parasites in the wild, has not been demonstrated. For the first time, we show that, conclusively, cleaner shrimp in the wild do clean. We found crustacean ectoparasites from the Family Gnathiidae and the Class Copepoda in the gut contents of wild cleaner shrimp, Urocaridella sp. and Periclimenes holthuisi. In addition, they ate parasitic monogenean flatworms, Benedenia sp., offered to them in the laboratory. Finally, P. holthuisi, significantly reduced monogenean, Benedenia sp., loads by 74.5% on captive surgeonfish Ctenochaetus striatus within 48 h. Such large reductions in parasite loads are likely to benefit individual fish. These results emphasise the need for more information on the ecological role of cleaner shrimp on coral reefs.     

虾塘养殖中后期微型浮游动物的摄食压力

2008年8月底到10月初,用现场稀释法对虾塘中≤200 μm、≤100 μm和≤20 μm 3个粒级的微型浮游动物对浮游植物的摄食压力进行了研究。共进行了三次培养实验,结果表明：浮游植物的生长率为0.0834～0.4498 d-1,微型浮游动物的摄食率为0.1212～0.2998 d-1,微型浮游动物摄食率对浮游植物生长率比值(g:k)为0.4271～3.4901,占浮游植物现存量的11.41%～25.90%,对初级生产力的摄食压力为48.20%～314.69%。≤20 μm微型浮游动物的摄食率、对浮游植物现存量和初级生产力的摄食压力,占微型浮游动物(≤200 μm)的相关比例范围为73.85%～97.69%、76.67%～97.91%、78.87%～98.59%。这表明≤20 μm微型浮游动物比≥20 μm的微型浮游动物在对虾养殖中后期虾塘能量流动和物质循环方面起到更重要的作用。     

Characterization of shrimp shell deproteinization

The aim of this paper was to contribute to the interpretation of the mechanism of shrimp shell deproteinization. We used amino acid analysis to quantify the amount of proteins remaining in chitin. NaOH 1 M was added to a demineralized shrimp shell powder with a solution-to-solid ratio of 15 mL/g at ambient temperature. Because of the limited precision of the technique, after 24 h the protein content measured by elemental analysis had to be considered as negligible. However, with the use of amino acid analysis, it was still possible to determine with precision this content down to 0.25%. We also showed that among the peptides remaining linked to chitin after deproteinization, acidic amino acids were always in proportion higher than alkaline ones, but the balance between the two kinds of residues increased in favor of the latter with time. The kinetic study of the deproteinization clearly revealed a three-step mechanism with very different rate constants. The variation of these constants with temperature was used to calculate the energies of activation and the frequency factors of collision, thus allowing us to propose a new interpretation of the mechanism of deproteinization.     

Fish cleaning behaviour of shrimp

Cleaning behaviour of five species of shrimp from three families was studied at three different geographic locations in an effort to gain a quantitative understanding of cleaning behaviour, and to compare a broad cross-section of cleaner shrimp species. Two shrimp from the genus Periclimenes , two from the genus Lysmata , and one from the genus Stenopus were used and 27 hours of recorded laboratory observations were made for each of the five shrimp species.
All shrimp species were inactive most of the observed time, and most spent less than 2% of the observed time cleaning fish hosts. Also, the shrimp spent more time cleaning the ventral rather than the dorsal surface of the fish because they were reluctant to board the fish. However, evenness in cleaning does not appear to be an indicator of overall excellence in cleaning because the two best cleaners (based on number and duration of cleaning bouts) were among the least even in their cleaning.
The fish cleaning behaviour of the shrimp appeared to be strictly stereotypic in form, but the stimulus-response and the total amount of cleaning differed greatly among the five species. A Cleaning Efficiency Index (CEI) was created in an attempt to incorporate significant aspects of the cleaning behaviour. According to this CEI, Lysmata grabhami was by far the most efficient (best) cleaner, CEI = 55–51, compared to the others; Stenopus hispidus , 33–78; Periclimenes pedersoni , 6–29; Periclimenes yucatunicus , 5–60; and Lysmata californien , 2–12.
The cleaners most widely distributed geographically have the highest CEI scores, while the most localized cleaners have the lowest CEIs. This relationship may allow the CEI score to be useful in determining a cleaner shrimp's potential geographical distribution, and may also serve as an indicator for the degree of phylogenetic relationship to other cleaner shrimps.     

Vision in hydrothermal vent shrimp

Bresiliid shrimp from hydrothermal vents on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge have non-imaging eyes adapted for photodetection in light environments of very low intensity. Comparison of retinal structures between both vent shrimp and surface-dwelling shrimp with imaging eyes, and between juvenile and adult vent shrimp, suggests that vent shrimp have evolved from ancestors that lived in a light environment with bright cyclic lighting. Whether the vent shrimp live in swarms and have large dorsal eyes or live in sparse groupings and have large anterior eyes, the basic retinal adaptations are the same across species. Retinal adaptations in adult vent shrimp include the loss of dioptrics, enlargement of both the rhabdomeral segment of the photoreceptors and the light-sensitive rhabdomere therein, attenuation of the arhabdomeral segment of the photoreceptors, reduction of black screening pigment, development of a white diffusing layer behind the photoreceptors, and the loss of rhabdom turnover.     

Biological treatment of shrimp production wastewater

Over the last few decades, there has been an increase in consumer demand for shrimp, which has resulted in its worldwide aquaculture production. In the United States, the stringent enforcement of environmental regulations encourages shrimp farmers to develop new technologies, such as recirculating raceway systems. This is a zero-water exchange system capable of producing high-density shrimp yields. The system also produces wastewater characterized by high levels of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and organic carbon, which make waste management costs prohibitive. Shrimp farmers have a great need for a waste management method that is effective and economical. One such method is the sequencing batch reactor (SBR). A SBR is a variation of the activated sludge biological treatment process. This process uses multiple steps in the same reactor to take the place of multiple reactors in a conventional treatment system. The SBR accomplishes equalization, aeration, and clarification in a timed sequence in a single reactor system. This is achieved through reactor operation in sequences, which includes fill, react, settle, decant, and idle. A laboratory scale SBR was successfully operated using shrimp aquaculture wastewater. The wastewater contained high concentrations of carbon and nitrogen. By operating the reactors sequentially, namely, aerobic and anoxic modes, nitrification and denitrification were achieved as well as removal of carbon. Ammonia in the waste was nitrified within 4 days. The denitrification of nitrate was achieved by the anoxic process, and 100% removal of nitrate was observed within 15 days of reactor operation.     

对虾抗病毒免疫研究现状

白斑综合征病毒（white spot syndrome virus,wssv）,是对虾养殖中主要的致病病毒,在全球范围内引起急性感染和致死反应,带来巨大的经济损失。之前的研究主要集中在对虾的先天免疫反应上,在抗病毒反应方面的尚所知有限。总结了近年来对虾抗病毒免疫研究取得的主要成果,概括了病毒侵染对虾后分子水平上的改变,旨在为更加有效的预防和治疗白斑综合症提供参考。     

Quantitative role of shrimp fecal bacteria in organic matter fluxes in a recirculating shrimp aquaculture system

Microorganisms play integral roles in the cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) for fish and shellfish production. We quantified the pathways of shrimp fecal bacterial activities and their role in C- and N-flux partitioning relevant to culturing Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus (Litopenaeus) vannamei, in RAS. Freshly produced feces from P. vannamei contained 0.6-7 × 10(10) bacteria g(-1) dry wt belonging to Bacteroidetes (7%), Alphaproteobacteria (4%), and, within the Gammaproteobacteria, almost exclusively to the genus Vibrio (61%). Because of partial disintegration of the feces (up to 27% within 12 h), the experimental seawater became inoculated with fecal bacteria. Bacteria grew rapidly in the feces and in the seawater, and exhibited high levels of aminopeptidase, chitinase, chitobiase, alkaline phosphatase, α- and β-glucosidase, and lipase activities. Moreover, fecal bacteria enriched the protein content of the feces within 12 h, potentially enriching the feces for the coprophagous shrimp. The bacterial turnover time was much faster in feces (1-10 h) than in mature RAS water (350 h). Thus, shrimp fecal bacteria not only inoculate RAS water but also contribute to bacterial abundance and productivity, and regulate system processes important for shrimp health.     

Large genomes among caridean shrimp.

Recent genome size estimates for Arctic amphipods have revealed the largest genomes known in the Crustacea. Here we provide additional data for 7 species of caridean shrimp collected from the Canadian Arctic and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Genome sizes were estimated by flow cytometry and haploid C-values ranged from 8.53 +/- 0.30 pg in Pandalus montagui (Pandalidae) to 40.89 +/- 1.23 pg in Sclerocrangon ferox (Crangonidae). The value for S. ferox represents the largest decapod genome yet recorded and indicates a 38-fold variation in genome size within this order. These data suggest that large genomes may be relatively common in Arctic crustaceans, and underline the need for further comparative studies.     

Arabidopsis-derived shrimp viral-binding protein, PmRab7 can protect white spot syndrome virus infection in shrimp

White spot syndrome virus is currently the leading cause of production losses in the shrimp industry. Penaeus monodon Rab7 protein has been recognized as a viral-binding protein with an efficient protective effect against white spot syndrome infection. Plant-derived recombinant PmRab7 might serve as an alternative source for in-feed vaccination, considering the remarkable abilities of plant expression systems. PmRab7 was introduced into the Arabidopsis thaliana T87 genome. Arabidopsis-derived recombinant PmRab7 showed high binding activity against white spot syndrome virus and a viral envelope, VP28. The growth profile of Arabidopsis suspension culture expressing PmRab7 (ECR21# 35) resembled that of its counterpart. PmRab7 expression in ECR21# 35 reached its maximum level at 5 mg g(-1) dry weight in 12 days, which was higher than those previously reported in Escherichia coli and in Pichia. Co-injection of white spot syndrome virus and Arabidopsis crude extract containing PmRab7 in Litopenaeus vannamei showed an 87% increase in shrimp survival rate at 5 day after injection. In this study, we propose an alternative PmRab7 source with higher production yield, and cheaper culture media costs, that might serve the industry's need for an in-feed supplement against white spot syndrome infection.     

Current progress in shrimp endocrinology-a review

One problem in aquaculture is obtaining brood because many commercially important species are incapable of spontaneous maturation under artificial conditions. Commercial shrimp hatcheries commonly use eyestalk ablation to stimulate gonadal maturation in shrimps. Research has been conducted on the inhibition of reproductive maturation by hormones originating in the eyestalk glands and on other endocrine sources (e.g.,brain, thoracic ganglion, ovary, mandibular organ, androgenic gland and Y-organs) to determine their roles. Alternate techniques for acceleration of gonad maturation through the use of synthetic hormones or neurotransmitters may benefit aquaculture. Neurohormones and neuroregulators have been shown to accelerate gonadal maturation but an effective delivery technique must be developed for use in a large-scale aquaculture operation.     

Viral diseases of penaeid shrimp with particular reference to four viruses recently found in shrimp from Queensland

The culture of penaeid shrimp world-wide is primarily dependent on wild-caught broodstock which has an enormous potential to introduce new pathogens, particularly viruses, into culture systems. Of the 13 viruses described for cultured penaeid shrimp, seven have been described within the past 5 years; the most devastating viral epidemics on record for cultured penaeid shrimp have also occurred within the past 5years. During examination of local wild and cultured shrimp, four new viruses were found. Bennettae baculovirus was discovered in the digestive gland of wild Metapenaeus bennettae. It closely resembles monodon baculovirus (MBV) but has a more slender virion, does not cross-react with a DNA probe for MBV and is not infectious to Penaeus monodon. Two morphologically indistinguishable viruses, one pathogenic (gill-associated virus, GAV) and the other benign (lymphoid organ virus, LOV), were found in cultured P. monodon. LOV and GAV closely resemble yellow head virus (YHV) of Thailand. A parvo-like virus was found recently in dying post-larvae of P. japonicus. As the intensity of shrimp culture world-wide increases, researchers can expect to discover more penaeid viruses. The need to close the life cycle of P. monodon and other cultured species and develop rapid diagnostic methods for viral infections has become imperative.     

Rhabdom changes in the shrimp,Palaemonetes

The fine structure of the principal compound eye of the shrimp, Palaemonetes, was studied under conditions of light and dark adaptation. Ommatidium the situation in other decapod crustaceans. Light and dark adapted eyes differ in that the rhabdom changes its shape; morphological evidence suggests a possible sequence of events involving production, utilization, and degradation of photoreceptor membrane, a discontinuous process occurring only during changes from light to dark and dark to light. A hypothesis of membrane turnover is proposed.