A set of new microsatellite loci isolated from Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

Eriocheir sinensis has higher commercial value as food source than any other species of Eriocheir in China. To protect its germplasm resources and evaluate impact on local ecology, molecular tools to characterize the population structure and identify kinships from different water systems are highly needed. We have newly identified a set of 18 microsatellite markers with the observed number of alleles at each locus ranges from 8 to 30, the observed heterozygosity ranges from 0.140 to 0.900. These newly isolated markers increase the available molecular resources that can be used to analyse population structure of Chinese mitten crab.     

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis）

Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has higher commercial value as food source than any other species of Eriocheir in China.To evaluate the germplasm resources and characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of the crabs in different water systems,two stocks and two farming populations were assessed with 25 polymorphic microsallite loci available in public GenBank.Basic statistics showed that the average observed heterozygosity (Ho) amongst populations ranged from 0.5789 to 0.6824.However,a remarkable presence of inbreeding and heterozygote deficiencies were observed.To analyze population structure,pairwise FST coefficients explained only ～10.3% variability from the subdivision of mitten crab populations,the remaining variability stems from the subdivision within subpopulations.Although the four populations had slight differentiation,different allelic frequencies resulted in distinct population structures.Two stocks and one farming population were clustered together to the phylogenetic branch of Yangtze crab,with an approximate membership of 95%.Whereas,another fanning population was clustered singly to the phylogenetic branch of the Liaohe crab,with a membership of 97.1%.The tests for individual admixture showed that Yangtze crab had probably been contaminated with individuals from other water systems.Genetic relationships between populations also supported the conclusion that Yangtze crab and Liaohe crab had different gene pools in spite of the origins of the same species.     

饥饿胁迫对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)仔蟹的影响

在26.2 ～28.4℃水温条件下,研究了饥饿对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)仔蟹的形态、行为、存活及体重损失的影响,同时确定了仔Ⅱ的营养饱和储存点(PRS)和不可恢复点(PNR).结果表明:饥饿胁迫下中华绒螯蟹仔Ⅰ、仔Ⅱ、仔Ⅲ的初次死亡时间(T1)分别为8.0、14.0和20.3 d,50％死亡时间(Ts0)分别为11.4、16.0和25.5 d,100％死亡时间(T100)分别为15.0、22.0和32.3 d,耐饥饿能力为仔Ⅲ＞仔Ⅱ＞仔Ⅰ;饥饿期间中华绒螯蟹体内水分含量持续升高,干重量降低显著,干重损失速率也随时间延长逐渐减小;先饱食后饥饿的给饵模式中仔Ⅱ蜕皮率随初始饱食时间延长而升高,50％个体完成蜕皮所需饱食时间(PRS50)为2.10d,各处理组仔Ⅱ的蜕皮周期与持续饱食组均无显著差异(P＞0.05),但只有饱食3d以上才能达到持续饱食饲养蟹的增重率;先饥饿后饱食的给饵模式中,仔Ⅱ的蜕皮率随着初始饥饿时间的延长而下降,其中仔Ⅱ50％不能蜕皮的初始饥饿时间(PNR50)和100％不能蜕皮的初始饥饿时间(PNR100)分别为10 d和14 d,并且蜕皮周期相对延长,延长时间约等于初始饥饿时间,不存在额外的摄食时间来弥补饥饿期间损失的能量,各处理组蜕皮后仔蟹与对照组体重无显著差异(P＞0.05).     

Phylogenetic analysis of intestinal bacteria in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

AIMS: To identify the dominant intestinal bacteria in the Chinese mitten crab, and to investigate the differences in the intestinal bacteria between pond-raised and wild crabs. METHODS AND RESULTS: The diversity of intestinal bacteria in the Chinese mitten crabs was investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting, 16S rRNA gene clone library analysis and real-time quantitative PCR. The principal component analysis of DGGE profiles indicated that substantial intersubject variations existed in intestinal bacteria in pond-raised crab. The sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed that 90-95% of the phylotypes in the clone libraries were affiliated with Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Some genera were identified as unique in wild crabs and in pond-raised crabs, whereas Bacteroidetes was found to be common in all sampled crab groups. Real-time quantitative PCR indicated that the abundance of Bacteroides and the total bacterial load were approximately four-to-10 times higher in pond-raised crabs than in wild crabs. A significant portion of the phylotypes shared low similarity with previously sequenced organisms, indicating that the bacteria in the gut of Chinese mitten crabs are yet to be described. CONCLUSIONS: The intestinal bacteria of pond-raised crabs showed higher intersubject variation, total diversity and abundance than that observed in wild crabs. The high proportion of the clones of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes in the clone library is an indication that these bacteria may be the dominant population in the gut of the Chinese mitten crab. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrated obvious differences in the intestinal bacterial composition of pond-raised crabs and wild crabs. This knowledge will increase our understanding of the effects of aquaculture operations on bacterial community composition in the crab gut and provide necessary data for the development of probiotic products for crab cultivation.     

中华绒螯蟹（Eriocheir sinensis）肌肉中粗脂肪含量与死亡,产 …

本文报道了中华螯蟹越冬时,越冬后不同性别、不同生活状况肌肉中粗脂肪含量及变化。越冬时、越冬后死亡的♂♀河蟹肌肉中粗脂肪的含量均不到８％,而同时越冬成活的♂♀蟹肌肉中粗脂肪含量均高于１０％。顺利越冬并能产卵的雌蟹肌肉中粗脂肪含量为４．９６％,顺利越冬并交配的♂性肌肉中粗脂肪含量为４．１８％。产卵并抱卵孵化的♀蟹肌肉中粗脂肪含量为５．８５％,产卵但♀蟹中途死亡的其肌肉中粗脂肪的含量为５．４７％。交配不     

Characterization of microsatellite loci for the Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

The Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis is an important human food source in Asia and causes considerable ecological and economical damage as a recent invader of North America and Europe. Here we report the isolation and characterization of 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci for E. sinensis. The number of observed alleles per locus ranged from 7 to 40 and the observed heterozygosity from 0.50 to 0.95. These markers should prove a useful tool to investigate the colonization process and its evolutionary implications.     

Reproductive function of Selenoprotein M in Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinesis)

Selenoproteins are present in all major forms of life, including eukaryotes, bacteria and archaea. In eukaryotic animals, selenoproteins often function as antioxidants, but rare or absent in other phyla, such as plants and fungi (except for the green alga Chlamydomonas). Selenoprotein M (SelM) is a selenocysteine containing protein with redox activity, which is involved in the antioxidant response. However, information remains limited about SelM physiology and function in marine invertebrates, particularly in crustaceans. Hence, we investigated the reproductive functionality of SelM in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), which is a commercially important yet disease vulnerable aquaculture species. The full-length SelM cDNA (928bp) strand was cloned by using PCR, based on an initial expressed sequence tag (EST) that was isolated from a hepatopancreatic cDNA library. The SelM cDNA contained a 390bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoded a putative 129 amino acid (aa) protein. SelM mRNA expression in E. sinensis was (a) tissue-specific, with the highest expression observed in the hepatopancreas, testis, ovaries and intestines. Based on this information, we then detected the different stages of tissue expression for SelM in the testis, ovary, and male crab hepatopancreas and hemolymph, and the enzyme activity of SelM in the testis. Overall, SelM was isolated successfully from the Chinese mitten crab, and its involvement in the regulation of reproduction during the period of rapid development in E. sinensis was confirmed.     

KIFC1 participates in acrosomal biogenesis, with discussion of its importance for the perforatorium in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Spermatogenesis is a complicated process during which spermatogonia undergo proliferation and divisions leading, after a series of dramatic changes, to the production of mature spermatozoa. Many molecular motors are involved in this process. KIFC1, a C-terminal kinesin motor, participates in acrosome biogenesis and nuclear shaping. We report here the expression profile of KIFC1 during spermatogenesis in the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. KIFC1 mainly localizes around the nucleus but is also present within the nucleus of the spermatogonium and spermatocyte. At the early spermatid stage, KIFC1 begins to be distributed on the nuclear membrane at the region where the proacrosomal vesicle is located. By the late spermatid stage, KIFC1 is found on the acrosome. Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural analyses have shown that KIFC1 localizes on the perforatorium, which is composed of an apical cap and an acrosomal tubule. We demonstrate that, during spermatogenesis in E. sinensis, KIFC1 probably plays important roles in the biogenesis of the acrosome and in its maintenance. KIFC1 may also be essential for the eversion of the acrosome during fertilization. This work was supported in part by the following projects: the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 30671606 and 40776079) and the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program; grant no. 2007CB948104).     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites from Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) has great commercial significance in Asia, but is an invasive organism in Europe and America. We isolated five novel microsatellites for E. sinensis. All five loci were polymorphic. The average allele number was 16.8 per locus with a range of 13 to 21, while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.82 to 0.91 with an average of 0.88. These markers could be applicable to studies of the genetic diversity and population structure of E. sinensis.     

三种饵料模式对中华绒螯蟹蟹种早期养殖性能、非特异免疫性能及抗病力的影响

为评估不同投喂模式对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)蟹种质量的影响,采用养殖实验、非特异性免疫指标分析和攻毒实验方法,比较了配合饲料、传统饵料和混合投喂模式培育扣蟹在成蟹养殖早期的养殖性能、免疫性能和攻毒后死亡率的变化。所检测的非特异性免疫指标包括碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、γ-谷氨酰转移酶(γ-GT)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、酚氧化酶(PO)、过氧化物酶(POD)、丙二醛(MDA)、一氧化氮(NO)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)及血蓝蛋白(Hc)活性或含量。采用毒力较强的嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophilia)Y-2-L-1菌株进行攻毒实验。结果显示:(1)无论雄蟹还是雌蟹,配合饲料组第一次蜕壳间期均短于传统投喂和混合投喂模式,且配合饲料组增重率(WGR)及体重特定增长率(SGR)均显著高于另外两组(P0.05);(2)就肝胰腺中非特异性免疫指标而言,无论雄蟹还是雌蟹,配合饲料组γ-谷氨酰转移酶(γ-GT)、总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性均高于另外两组,其中γ-谷氨酰转移酶(γ-GT)差异显著;传统投喂组酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、丙二醛(MDA)、一氧化氮(NO)和过氧化物酶(POD)含量均高于另外两组,其中酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和一氧化氮(NO)含量差异显著;(3)就血清中各免疫指标而言,配合饲料组谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)活性高于另外两组,但差异均不显著(P0.05),传统投喂组碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、丙二醛(MDA)及血蓝蛋白(Hc)等指标含量均高于另外两组,其中丙二醛(MDA)差异显著;(4)无论雄蟹还是雌蟹,传统投喂组扣蟹攻毒后12~96 h的累计死亡率一直高于配合饲料组和混合投喂组,配合饲料组和混合投喂组雄体攻毒后的累计死亡率接近,混合投喂组雌体累计死亡率居于传统投喂组和配合饲料组之间。综上,投喂配合饲料可以提高扣蟹在成蟹早期的养殖性能、免疫性能和攻毒后的成活率,有利于提高蟹种质量。     

养殖中华绒螯蟹肠道内优势细菌群组成分析

采用荧光染色计数法对养殖中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)肠道内微生物进行定量分析。结果表明肠道内细菌数量为(2.5±0.9)×106/μL。同时采用分离培养与16S rDNA基因克隆测序相结合的方法对其进行多样性分析,旨在揭示其中可培养细菌的组成结构。结果发现,分离自养殖中华绒螯蟹肠道内的49株代表性细菌均属于γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria),其中假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、气单胞菌属(Aeromonas)和肠杆菌科(Enterobacteriales)为优势菌群。     

Characterization of new microsatellites selected from EST resources of Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

Sixteen new microsatellites were identified by screening 7533 expressed sequence tags of Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis from GenBank data we published. They were polymorphic with the PIC value ranged from 0.349 to 0.957, the number of alleles ranged from 22 to 48, and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.375 to 1.000 and 0.366 to 0.983, respectively. Five loci could be applicable to genetic diversity and population structure of E. sinensis.     

Mitochondrial DNA-inferred population structure and demographic history of the mitten crab (Eriocheir sensu stricto) found along the coast of mainland China

The mitten crab, Eriocheir sensu stricto , is economically important in East Asia, although it is an invasive species in Europe and North America. Little is known about its population structure and historical demography in its native range, especially along the Pacific coast of China. We collected mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II and cytochrome  b sequences from 154 individuals distributed in the rivers along the Chinese coast and 15 individuals from Japan. Phylogenetic analysis resulted in three major monophyletic groups: northern China, southern China and Japan. Negligible migration was detected among those groups by coalescent analysis. Hence, we support the recognition of three species: Eriocheir hepuensis in southern China, Eriocheir sinensis in northern China and Eriocheir japonica in Japan. The populations in the middle (the Oujiang and Minjiang Rivers) possess a mixture of haplotypes similar to either the northern or the southern haplotypes. We believe that secondary intergradation as the most likely cause of the clinal variation based on examining the genetic variation in the latitudinal space. The estimated divergence time between E. sinensis and E. hepuensis is 2.24 million years ago (Ma), while the divergence time between E. japonica and E. sinensis is 1.83 Ma. Both are in the late Pliocene, suggesting that land bridges associated with low sea level during that time might have severed as vicariant barriers for speciation. The divergence of the northern population and the 'northern haplotypes' in the middle population was estimated at 0.12 Ma, while the time separating the southern population and the 'southern haplotypes' in the middle populations was estimated as 0.16 Ma, implicating possible secondary contact in the late Pleistocene.     

中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)肌肉中不饱和脂肪酸含量与越冬死亡、产卵关系

本文报道了中华绒螯蟹越冬时和越冬后不同性别,不同生活状态粗脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸及肌肉中不饱和脂肪酸含量及变化,分析了不饱和脂肪酸含量与越冬死亡,越冬后交配,产卵和孵化关系。越冬前雌,雄河蟹粗脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸碘（I2）值为57和48。越冬（越冬时,越冬后）死亡雌,雄河蟹粗脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸I2值分别低于28和10;而其肌肉中不饱和脂肪酸的I2值分别低于1．25和0．83。越冬后能成功交配的雄河蟹粗脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸I2值高于33。越冬后交配产卵雌河蟹粗脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸I2值高于42,抱卵并使卵正常孵化的雌河蟹粗脂肪中不饱和脂肪酸I2值大于47。脂肪酸在河蟹的细胞内氧化分解,为越冬提供了能量。     

Molecular cloning, characterization and expression analysis of cathepsin A gene in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Cathepsins, a superfamily of hydrolytic enzymes produced and enclosed within lysosomes, function in immune response in vertebrates; however, their function within the innate immune system of invertebrates remains largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the immune functionality of cathepsin A (catA) in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), a commercially important and disease vulnerable aquaculture species. The full length catA cDNA (2200 bp) was cloned via PCR based upon an initial expressed sequence tag (EST) isolated from a hepatopancreatic cDNA library. The catA cDNA contained a 1398 bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoded a putative 465 amino acid (aa) protein. Comparisons with other reported vertebrate cathepsins sequences revealed percent identity range from 48 to 51%. CatA mRNA expression in E. sinensis was (a) tissue-specific, with the highest expression observed in gill and (b) responsive in hemocytes to a Vibrio anguillarum challenge, with peak exposure observed 12 h post-injection. Collectively, data demonstrate the successful isolation of catA from the Chinese mitten crab, and its involvement in the innate immune system of an invertebrate.