Bacterial flora from the gut of the wild and cultured banana prawn,Penaeus merguiensis

AIMS: There is growing awareness of the influence of the bacterial composition of the gut on the health and growth of the host. This study compared the bacterial flora from the digestive system of the wild and cultured prawn, Penaeus merguiensis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Whole guts were dissected from wild and cultured prawns and divided into sections corresponding to the foregut, digestive gland, midgut and hindgut. Homogenates of these sections were plated onto seawater nutrient agar and the colonies identified to genus level and, in some cases, species. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons amongst gut regions for both wild and cultured prawns are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Both wild and cultured prawns supported remarkably similar bacterial floral compositions, which included members from the genera Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, Photobacterium, Pseudoalteromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio. Members of the genus Vibrio were quantitatively dominant. A number of Vibrio species were recovered solely from cultured prawns. Of these, Vibrio gazogenes was the most notable (numerically dominating in all but the midgut). The opportunistic pathogen V. parahaemolyticus was also recovered. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The remarkable similarity of gut compositions between wild and cultured prawns, despite being drawn from very different habitats, suggests an influence of the host on the establishment of the gut flora. An understanding of host/gut floral interactions has significance in fostering conditions which promote the growth of cultivated hosts.     

Southern oscillation and the northern australian prawn catch

Associations are established between the southern oscillation index (SOI) and penaeid prawn catches within the northern Australian prawn fishery. Analysis involved calculation of correlations between Gulf of Carpentaria banana prawn andtiger prawn catches and Troup’s SOI. Significant positive correlations are observed between catch size and SOI for specific months from pre-wet to post-wet seasons. For banana prawns, the results indirectly confirm some earlier observations of increased catches in conjunction with high rainfall during the onset of monsoon periods, but also indicate an association with late rains. However, the relationship with tiger prawns appears to be in the opposite direction, showing negative correlations with SOI for particular months. Some hypotheses are suggested to explain these results in terms of environmental effects on spawning populations, and comment is made on the potential for forecasting catch sizes. Received: 17 August 1998 / Accepted: 23 June 1999     

象山港日本对虾增殖放流的效果评价

日本对虾是中国近海重要的增殖品种,2010年象山港分两批次放流日本对虾苗种约1.67亿尾。通过对放流苗种存活状况、洄游分布、生长特性及回捕情况的跟踪调查,对象山港日本对虾的增殖效果做出初步评价。结果表明:(1)日本对虾放流苗种在8月中旬成为补充群体,集中于港区底部进行索饵育肥;9月中旬,第1、2批放流苗种的平均体长分别达到95.4 mm和71.4 mm,成活率分别约为0.79%和1.06%;10月上旬,随着港区水温降低,增殖苗种资源量锐减。(2)协方差分析表明:日本对虾增殖群体和自然群体的体长-体重关系存在显著性差异,增殖群体的体征状况明显优于自然群体。(3)日本对虾放流苗种在港区主要为桁杆拖虾和地笼网渔业所利用,在港区滞留期间,回捕率约为0.25%。总结发现:栖息地破坏及放流苗种的过早利用是制约象山港日本对虾增殖效果的重要因素,优化增殖策略、保护港区生态环境应是今后港区增殖工作的重点。     

Ecological impacts of non-native Pacific oysters (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>) and management measures for protected areas in Europe

Pacific oysters are now one of the most ‘globalised’ marine invertebrates. They dominate bivalve aquaculture production in many regions and wild populations are increasingly becoming established, with potential to displace native species and modify habitats and ecosystems. While some fishing communities may benefit from wild populations, there is now a tension between the continued production of Pacific oysters and risk to biodiversity, which is of particular concern within protected sites. The issue of the Pacific oyster therefore locates at the intersection between two policy areas: one concerning the conservation of protected habitats, the other relating to livelihoods and the socio-economics of coastal aquaculture and fishing communities. To help provide an informed basis for management decisions, we first summarise evidence for ecological impacts of wild Pacific oysters in representative coastal habitats. At local scales, it is clear that establishment of Pacific oysters can significantly alter diversity, community structure and ecosystem processes, with effects varying among habitats and locations and with the density of oysters. Less evidence is available to evaluate regional-scale impacts. A range of management measures have been applied to mitigate negative impacts of wild Pacific oysters and we develop recommendations which are consistent with the scientific evidence and believe compatible with multiple interests. We conclude that all stakeholders must engage in regional decision making to help minimise negative environmental impacts, and promote sustainable industry development.     

Lactococcus garvieae infection in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobranchium rosenbergii confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and 16S rDNA sequencing.

An epizootic bacterial infection in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobranchium rosenbergii occurred in Taiwan from May to June 1999. The cumulative mortality was approximately 30 to 75%. The diseased prawns showed opaque and whitish muscles and were approximately 2 mo old with total lengths from 5 to 6 cm. Histopathologically, they showed marked edema and necrotic lesions with inflammation in the muscles and hepatopancreas. Bacteria isolated using brain heart infusion medium or tryptic soy agar were Gram-positive and ovoid. Three isolates from diseased prawns at different farms were tested using the API 20 Strepsystem and conventional tests and identified as Lactococcus garvieae. Experimental infections with these isolates gave gross signs and histopathological changes similar to those seen in the naturally infected prawns. The LD50 value of isolate MR1 was 6.6 x 10(5) colony forming units/prawn. Identification of MR1 was confirmed by a PCR assay for L. garvieae that gave the expected amplicon of 1100 bp. In addition, its 16S rDNA sequence (GenBank accession number AF283499) gave 99% sequence identity to Enterococcus seriolicida (synonym L. garvieae; GenBank accession number AF061005). This is the first report of confirmed L. garvieae infection in prawn aquaculture.     

Size-selective predation by all-male prawns: implications for sustainable biocontrol of snail invasions

All-male populations of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii were recently produced by a novel temporal RNA interference (RNAi)-based biotechnology for aquaculture purposes. This biotechnology opens the way to the wide use of all-male prawn populations as sustainable biocontrol agents against invading populations of freshwater snails, for which there is currently no environmentally friendly solution. Among the most damaging of the invasive freshwater snail species are the apple snails (Pomacea spp.), which inflict major damage on natural ecosystems and rice fields. The proposed use of all-male prawn populations as environmentally friendly biocontrol agents against invasive freshwater snails has several advantages: efficient predation by the prawns over a wide range of freshwater snails, the ready availability of the prawns, and the monosex non-reproductive nature of the biocontrol agents. Since the aquatic predators are strongly size selective, we quantified the predation rate as a function of body size of both predator and prey (M. rosenbergii and P. caniculata). Medium-sized and large prawns (~10–30 g) efficiently preyed small and medium-sized snails (up to 15 mm), while small prawns (up to 4 g) immediately and completely eradicated snail hatchlings. Medium-sized prawns (~22 g) exterminated a significant fraction of snail biomass within 24 h (up to 58% of their body mass) after being introduced into a tank of snails. A typical ‘climbing-to-the surface’ anti-predator behavior of the snails was recorded. The potential of all-male prawns as efficient biocontrol agents over hatchling and adult apple snails as part of an integrated pest management program is discussed. Our experiments set the stage for evaluating the ecological and economic implications of this generic solution for a wide variety of habitats.     

Quantification of Listeria spp. contamination on shell and flesh of cooked black tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon)

AIMS: To quantify Listeria levels on the shell and flesh of artificially contaminated cooked prawns after peeling, and determine the efficacy of Listeria innocua as a model for L. monocytogenes in this system. METHODS AND RESULTS: A L. monocytogenes and L. innocua strain were inoculated separately onto cooked black tiger prawns using two protocols (immersion or swabbing with incubation). Prawns were peeled by two methods (gloved hand or scalpel and forceps) and numbers of Listeria on shells, flesh and whole prawn controls were determined. Prawns were exposed to crystal violet dye to assess the penetration of liquids. Regardless of preparation method or bacterial strain there were ca 1log10 CFU more Listeria per shell than per peeled prawn. Dye was able to penetrate to the flesh in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Shell-on prawns may be only slightly safer than shell-off prawns. Listeria innocua is an acceptable model for L. monocytogenes in this system. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Reduced risk from L. monocytogenes on prawns can only be assured by adequate hygiene or heating.     

基于PCR-DGGE基因指纹的对虾体内优势细菌组成分析

采用不依赖分离培养的16S rDNA的PCR-DGGE基因指纹技术对刀额新对虾与中国对虾的鳃部与肠道优势细菌种群组成进行比较分析。研究发现:对虾鳃部与肠道存在着丰富多样的细菌;根据DGGE指纹图的聚类分析发现不同对虾及同一种对虾的鳃部与肠道内的细菌组成差异性非常大;同时也发现不同对虾体内有相同的细菌存在。首次尝试建立基于16S rDNA的PCR-DGGE基因指纹的对虾体内细菌组成揭示方法,对于今后建立对虾与养殖水体微生物和相关疾病的关系具有重要意义。     

Metschnikowia bicuspidata and Enterococcus faecium co-infection in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

In May 2001, an epizootic yeast and bacterial co-infection in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii occurred in Taiwan causing a cumulative mortality of 25%. The diseased prawns had a yellowish-brown body color, milky hemolymph, opaque, whitish muscles, and were approximately 7 mo old with total lengths ranging from 8 to 10 cm. Histopathological examination showed marked edema, yeast infiltration, and necrotic lesions with inflammation in the muscles, hepatopancreas and other internal organs. We isolated 2 pathogens from the diseased prawns, one was a yeast (AOD081MB) and the other a gram-positive coccus (AOD081EF). The gram-positive coccus was identified as Enterococcus faecium by the API 20 Strepsystem, conventional biochemical tests, and it had 99% 16S rDNA sequence identity (GenBank Accession Number AJ276355) to E. faecium (GenBank Accession Number AF529204). The sequence of a PCR product from the D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA (GenBank Accession Number AF529297) from the yeast gave 99% sequence identity to Metschnikowia bicuspidata (GenBank Accession Number U44822). Experimental infections with these isolates produced gross signs and histopathological changes similar to those observed in the naturally infected prawns. The lethal doses (LD50) for isolate E. faecium AOD081EF, M. bicuspidata AOD081MB and the co-infection were 4.7 x 10(4), 2.6 x 10(2), and 2.4 x 10(2) colony-forming units prawn(-1), respectively. This is the first report of a confirmed co-infection of M. bicuspidata and E. faecium in prawn aquaculture.     

虾-鱼-贝-藻生态优化养殖及其水质生物调控技术研究

建立了一种虾、鱼、贝、藻多池循环水生态优化养殖模式及水质生物调控系统,包括对虾养殖、鱼类养殖、贝类养殖和大型海藻栽培等4个不同功能养殖区,1个水处理区以及1条应急排水渠。通过在封闭循环系统内不同池塘中放养生态位互补的经济动植物对虾池水环境进行生物调控。结果表明,循环水养殖系统内虾池水层悬浮物数量、COD值、氨态氮和硝酸态氮含量比对照组对虾单养池明显降低(P<0·01)。养殖排放水不处于富营养化状态(E<1)。对虾饲料产出对虾0.667kg·kg-1、罗非鱼0.037kg·kg-1、牡蛎0.738kg·kg-1、江蓠0.437kg·kg-1,净增产值2.01元。投入产出比由对虾单养的0.588降低为优化生态养殖的0.235。该养殖模式不仅实现了虾池水环境的生物调控与养殖用水的零排放,且显著提高了饲料利用率和经济效益,具有防病、环保、高效等优点。     

Temporal and spatial variation of plankton abundance in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia 1975-1977

The Gulf of Carpentaria is a large (ca. 3.7 x 10⁵ km²) shallow(<70 m) embayment in tropical northern Australia lying between11 and 17.5°S latitude. Although it contains a multi-speciespenaeid prawn fishery which is Australia's largest and mostvaluable fishery its hydrology and planktology are largely unknown.As a background to a study of the larval ecology of penaeidstocks, ten Gulf-wide survey cruises, sampling the planktonand hydrography, were undertaken over a twenty month periodfrom August 1975 to May 1977. Though comparisons with otherstudies are difficult because of variations in sampling techniquesand biomass estimation methods, the plankton biomass in theGulf of Carpentaria appears to be high by comparison with otherareas around Australia. The mean estimate over all stationsand all cruises of 77 mg/m³ dry weight (1880 mg/m²) compareswith the very high abundances found only in seasonal upwellingareas south of Java and off the northwest shelf of Australia.Further, the Gulf of Carpentaria standing stocks of planktoncompare with other coastal areas supporting important fisheriesoff the west coast of North America, the eastern North AtlanticOcean and some European waters. Because of its depth, relativelyhigh temperature and primary production rates, secondary productionrates are assumed to be high as well but as yet are unmeasured. ^*Microfiche of station list available upon request. CSIRO MarineLaboratories Reprint No. 1280     

Molecular cloning and characterization of cortical rod protein in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii, a species not forming cortical rod structures in the oocytes

The formation of cortical rod structures is a characteristic of fully mature oocytes in penaeid prawns, but such structures are absent from oocytes of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In the present study, we first demonstrated the presence of a 30-kDa protein, which was immunologically related to kuruma prawn cortical rod protein (CRP), in the ovary of giant freshwater prawn, and subsequently purified this protein. Furthermore, a cDNA encoding the CRP-like protein was isolated. Based on the high homology (98%) in the amino acid sequence with kuruma prawn CRP, the 30-kDa protein has been identified as a CRP homologue of giant freshwater prawn, designated mrCRP. The RT-PCR analysis revealed that mrCRP mRNA was present in the ovary from a prawn with a gonadosomatic index (GSI) of 0.2. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of a CRP-immunoreactive band of 30kDa in the ovary with GSI of 1.6. By immunocytochemistry, CRP-immunopositive signals were detected in the ovary with GSI of 0.9, that had started to accumulate considerable amounts of vitellins and lipids in the peripheral cytoplasm. With progress of vitellogenesis, mrCRP was apparently accumulated in the mature oocytes, although it was not detectable, presumably because a relatively small amount of mrCRP was masked with large amounts of vitellin and lipids. In giant freshwater prawn without forming cortical rod structures, our findings indicate that the oocytes produce mrCRP, a homologue of CRP found in penaeid prawns.     

The effects of chemical and visual communication, space availability, and substratum color on growth of the juvenile freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

The effects of chemical and visual communication, space availability, and substratum color on the growth of juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) were studied by recording the changes in average weight and length of prawns kept at controlled densities in the laboratory for periods of 6 wk of in communal and individual compartments with constant unidirectional water currents. Chemically mediated growth inhibition increased in proportion to the number of prawns ahead of a given compartment in the water current. Since ammonia and nitrite concentrations were below reported toxic values, progressive accumulation and transmission through water currents of some other chemically mediated growth inhibitor may explain the observed differences in growth rates between compartments. Growth slowed with increasing prawn density (communal areas) and with decreasing individual compartment size (individual areas). Prawns held in contiguous individual compartments, allowing visual communication, exhibited a significantly (P < 0.01) more rapid growth rate than prawns reared in visually isolated compartments. Growth rates for individuals kept on black substrates were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those of prawns held in aquaria with white or blue substrates. When substrates composed of all three colors in alternating bands were used, prawns showed a significant preference (P < 0.01) for black backgrounds during the afternoon and for the water column during the morning. Possible implications of these findings to the intensive aquaculture of M. rosenbergii are discussed.     

Use of prawn blood agar hemolysis to screen for bacteria pathogenic to cultured tiger prawns Penaeus monodon

A newly developed prawn blood agar consisting of 1 ml of tiger prawn hemolymph in medium containing 200 ppm Rose Bengal was used to determine the hemolytic activity of 35 isolates of bacteria obtained from cultured tiger prawns Penaeus monodon and their rearing water. For comparison, the hemolytic activity of these isolates was also determined in sheep blood agar. Nine isolates (25.7% of total) showed different hemolytic reactions on prawn blood agar and sheep blood agar. From the 35 isolates, 8 with various hemolytic characteristics were selected and the relationship between the type of hemolytic activity and pathogenicity was determined and compared. Four isolates that showed hemolytic activity in prawn blood agar caused high mortality to cultured tiger prawns. By contrast, a significantly lower mortality rate was observed for tiger prawns injected with 4 isolates that did not exhibit hemolytic activity on prawn blood agar. Results further showed that mortality did not correlate with hemolytic activity determined using sheep blood agar. Prawn blood agar containing P. monodon hemocytes was faster and more accurate for determining prawn hemolytic activity of bacterial isolates.     

Viral infections of aquatic animals with special reference to Asian aquaculture

Worldwide, the number of communicable diseases of animals raised in aquaculture continue to increase. Viral infections of cultivated shellfish, crustacea, and finfish have been frequently recognized in the past few years. In the Asian regions, penaeid shrimp and several teleost fish underwent epizootics associated with heavy losses in aquaculture. Baculoviruses are particularly harmful to shrimp and prawns. Herpes-, irido-, reo-, or rhabdovirus-like agents can cause outbreaks in fish farms. Viral diseases are important limiting factors in the expansion of aquaculture. However, studies on viral infections of aquatic animals have been focused primarily on economically important farmed fish. Therfore, certain viral diseases of teleost fish are relatively well understood. In contrast, our knowledge of viral infections of farmed aquatic invertebrates is still very spare. Although a great number of viruses have been detected in farmed molluscs and crustaceans, the pathogenicity and epizootiology of most of the agents is not known.     

Effects of eyestalk ablation on growth and food conversion efficiency of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium lanchesteri (de Man)

Bilateral eyestalk ablation in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium lanchesteri results in high mortality, while unilateral eyestalk ablated prawns exhibited a high survival rate. There was marked increase in the growth of bilateral eyestalk-ablated prawns (47.70 mg/prawn) as compared to those that were unilaterally ablated (19.19 mg/prawn).     

Osmoregulatory ability and juvenile habitat preference in some penaeid prawns

An investigation was made of the osmoregulation, over a salinity (S) range 3–50‰, of early juvenile and adult penaeid prawns, whose nursery-ground preferences range from rivers of widely fluctuating salinity (banana prawn Penaeus merguiensis de Man; greasyback prawn Metapenaeus bennettae Racek & Dall) through open estuaries with very occasional low salinities (tiger prawn Penaeus esculentus Haswell) to open bays and lower estuaries with fairly stable high salinities (king prawn, P. plebejus Hesse). Adult banana prawns osmoregulated well between S 15–40‰ with isosmotic point ≈ S 27‰, but could not adapt below S 7 ‰, whereas adult greasyback prawns osmoregulated extensively from S 3–50 ‰ with isosmotic point ≈ S 23 ‰. Adult tiger and king prawns had limited osmoregulatory abilities with isosmotic points ≈ S 30 ‰ and lower lethal limits of ≈ S 10 and 7‰, respectively. Early juveniles of all four species were, however, all highly efficient osmoregulators and the curves of the three Penaeus spp. were almost identical below their isosmotic points, which were appreciably lower than those of the adults. Lower lethal limits were S 3‰ or below. It is concluded that nursery-ground selection by the species is unlikely to be determined by osmoregulatory ability. Possible factors determining nursery-ground selection are discussed.     

基于16S rRNA基因扩增子测序分析日本囊对虾肠道菌群结构与功能的特征

【背景】肠道菌群在对虾的生理活动中起关键作用。日本囊对虾是我国海水养殖虾类中的主要品种之一,迄今为止有关其肠道菌群结构与功能的研究还鲜有报道。【目的】利用高通量测序技术探究日本囊对虾肠道菌群的组成结构与功能作用,揭示虾体肠道菌群与外源菌群结构间的相关性。【方法】60 d的养殖周期结束后,分别采集日本囊对虾肠道样品(归为虾肠组,n=3)、养殖水体样品(归为水体组,n=3)和对虾饲料样品(归为饲料组,n=3),提取各样品总DNA进行16SrRNA基因扩增子测序,基于生物信息学方法分析与比较样品间的菌群结构特征,并使用PICRUSt软件预测日本囊对虾肠道菌群功能。【结果】3组样品测序共获得822 713条有效序列,抽平处理后可聚类为3 416个OTU。虾肠组样品中有28.49%、59.30%的OTU可以依次在水体组、饲料组样品中检测到。门水平上,虾肠组样品中的优势菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和梭杆菌门(Fusobacteria)。水体组、饲料组与虾肠组样品中的优势菌门结构不尽相同,但均由变形菌门和拟杆菌门组成。属水平上,虾肠组样品中的优势菌属包括弧菌属(Vibrio)、另类弧菌属(Aliivibrio)、假交替单胞菌属(Pseudoalteromonas)、假黄棕杆菌属(Pseudofulvibacter)、科尔韦尔氏菌属(Colwellia)、小纺锤状菌属(Fusibacter)、发光杆菌属(Photobacterium)、脱硫弧菌属(Desulfovibrio)、嗜冷杆菌属(Psychrobacter)以及弓形杆菌属(Arcobacter)。水体组和饲料组中检出的核心菌属结构与虾肠组相比有明显差异,其中海命菌属(Marivita)和假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)分别为养殖水体及对虾饲料样品中的最优势菌属。PICRUSt预测结果显示,日本囊对虾肠道菌群的基因功能主要与新陈代谢类功能有关,包含氨基酸代谢、碳水化合物代谢与能量代谢等。【结论】日本囊对虾肠道菌群与其他种类对虾肠道菌群的结构间存在共性,其形成在一定程度上受到了外源菌群的干预,并在虾体的日常代谢活动中发挥了一定的作用。     

Appendage deformity syndrome--a nutritional disease of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Culture of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii as an alternative to penaeid shrimp has recently increased in coastal areas of southern India in order to avoid numerous problems, particularly with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). However, M. rosenbergii culture is now threatened by a new disease, appendage deformity syndrome (ADS), that also results in high mortality. Analysis of ADS prawns for viruses such as WSSV, monodon baculovirus (MBV) and infectious hypodermal and hematopoeitic necrosis virus (IHHNV) gave negative results. ADS prawns were also negative for bacterial pathogens and affected animals did not respond to antibiotic therapy. A study of potential nutritional deficiency revealed that carotenoid supplementation in the diet led to a significant decrease in ADS prawns.     

Immunological detection of Salmonella paratyphi A in raw prawns.

A slot blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using monoclonal antibodies specific only for Salmonella paratyphi A, to detect S. paratyphi A contamination in raw prawns has been established. When artificially contaminated prawn samples were tested. S. paratyphi A contamination could be identified correctly within 20 h. No false positives from samples artificially contaminated by other microorganisms were obtained. The sensitivity was such that as few as 1 S. paratyphi A organism per g of raw prawn could be detected. Therefore, the assay constituted a promising test for the rapid and specific detection of S. paratyphi A in prawns.