The effect of low-level kelp supplementation on digestive enzyme activity levels in cultured abalone Haliotis midae fed formulated feeds

Previous studies have found that macroalgal inclusion in formulated diets for cultured abalone improves feed utilisation, and it was suggested that seaweed-associated bacteria supply enzymes that aid in the animal's digestion. In the present study, we hypothesised that kelp supplementation in formulated feed affects the profile of digestive enzymes in farmed Haliotis midae. Commercially reared sub-adult abalone fed a kelp-supplemented (Ecklonia maxima; 0.88% dry weight) or kelp-free control feed were collected for analysis of the amylase, alginate lyase, laminarinase, fucoidanase and protease activities in the gut. Levels of polysaccharidase and protease activity did not significantly differ between the diet treatments. However, enzyme-activity levels were more variable in abalone fed the kelp-free diet as compared with those fed the kelp-supplemented diet (coefficients of variation: 73%, 48.3–60.2% and 31.9% [control diet] versus 42.7%, 13.6–33.8% and 14.6% [KS diet] for amylase, macroalgal polysaccharidases and acid protease activity, respectively). We suggest that the presence of dietary kelp modulates the abalone's gut bacteria and their nutrient exchange. Proteomic identification of proteins in abalone gut sections showed that exogenous enzymes associated with the gut microbiome aid in bacterial utilisation of digested molecules, whereas abalone endogenous enzymes degrade the macronutrients in formulated feeds.     

杂色鲍种苗用试验配合饵料

随着鲍的人工育苗数量的不断增多,以及幼鲍从室内培养池移入海区的养殖阶段,直到成为种苗的规格(壳长1—1.5厘米),其饵料仍然是养殖成败的关键之一。福建南部海区杂色鲍(Haliotis diversicolor Reeve)的种苗培育阶段,正值夏季水温升高,采集天然海藻比较困难,鲍的饵料发生短缺;而且为了进一步弥补和提高鲍的饵料中所含蛋白质等营养成分,以提高幼鲍和种苗鲍存活率,加快生长速度,除积极开发利用天然海藻资源外,必须广开饵料新途径,因而研制种苗鲍用试验配合饵料,适当增加能促     

Growth,feed conversion and faecal discharge of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) fed three commercial diets

Abstract

A study was undertaken to provide data on growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and faecal discharge of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) fed three commercial diets used previously to culture this species in New Zealand. Fish were raised in tanks from 0.4 to 1.2 kg over the spring (water temperature 14–17°C) and summer (17–22°C) periods. There were considerable differences in volumetric and mass‐specific feed intake, and energy intake amongst diets. Daily crude protein intake was similar amongst diets, although it increased from the cold (4.05–4.50 g protein kg^?1 day^?1) to warm period (6.48–7.67 g protein kg^?1 day^?1). The biological and economical FCR varied with diet (BFCR 1.22–2.17, EFCR 1.30–2.62), as did the cost of feed per unit biomass produced (NZ$38–3.78 kg^?1). Growth rates were broadly similar amongst diets, and the warmer summer temperature period greatly improved both growth (increase from 0.51–0.64% to 1.18–1.23% mass gain day^?1) and BFCR (decrease from 1.37–2.17 to 1.22–1.46). The Salmofood ESF diet resulted in only half of the faecal setüeable solids and settleable total nitrogen (T N) and total phosphorus (T P) output compared with Skretting NME, which was in turn only half or less of that of Reliance SF     

不同饵料对两种帘蛤科贝类生长性能的影响研究

为探讨不同饵料对青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)与文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)生长和存活的影响,本实验选用紫菜(Pyropia)、浒苔(Enteromorpha prolifera)、海带(Laminaria japonica)、小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)和人工配合饲料5种饵料,采用单一饵料投喂方式进行饲养.结果表明:小球藻组中特定生长率、存活率及饲料转换率与各饵料组均有显著性差异(P<0.05),青蛤的增质量率显著低于紫菜组、海带组及人工配合饲料组(P>0.05).在人工配合饲料组中青蛤与文蛤的特定生长率与各饵料组均有显著性差异(P<0.05),青蛤的增质量率与各饵料组无显著性差异(P>0.05),文蛤的增质量率显著高于紫菜组、浒苔组及人工配合饲料组(P<0.05).在3组大型藻中,海带组中青蛤的特定生长率为0.07％,增质量率为4.59％,饵料转换率为7.09％,存活率为74％;文蛤的特定生长率0.13％,增质量率为8.36％,饵料转换率为1.41％,存活率为55.6％.综上,小球藻和人工配合饲料有利于青蛤和文蛤的生长,在3组大型藻中,投喂海带有利于文蛤和青蛤的生长和存活.     

Effect of dietary protein to energy ratio on growth and nitrogenous waste production of cultured dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus

The effect of dietary protein to energy ratio (P:E) on the growth of dusky kob Argyrosomus japoni-cus was investigated as a first step towards formulating a practical diet for this potential mariculture species in South Africa. The effects of dietary protein and lipid on growth, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and nitrogenous waste production were determined in cultured juveniles (initial weight 113.8 ± 2.0 g fish^?1). Fish were fed diets that contained either 42 or 46% protein with 6, 12 or 18% lipid, within a P:E range of 20.5–26.7 g protein MJ^?1. Weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly influenced by an interaction between dietary protein and energy (p < 0.001). An increase in dietary lipid produced increasing growth rates (ranging from 0.95 ± 0.04% to 1.10 ± 0.01% day^?1) among fish fed the 46% protein diets, with no significant differences in FCR (1.05 ± 0.02 to 1.11 ± 0.02) or protein efficiency ratio (PER; 1.95 ± 0.06 to 1.66 ± 0.02). By contrast, there was a trend of decreasing growth (0.96 ± 0.04% to 0.64 ± 0.03% day^?1) and a deterioration in FCR (1.3 ± 0.10 to 1.93 ± 0.19) and PER (1.12 ± 0.11 to 1.68 ± 0.11) with increasing dietary lipid among fish fed 42% protein diets, indicating a protein– energy imbalance. The protein and lipid levels tested here had no significant effect on total ammonia production, with a combined mean production of 2.54 ± 0.55 mg kg^?1 I^?1 h^?1, 10 hours postprandial (p = 0.68). The dietary lipid level appeared to directly determine the carcass lipid content, with the mean lipid content ranging from 4.2% to 17.8% for fish fed diets ranging from 6% to 18% respectively after 12 weeks (r² = 0.98). A 46% protein and 18% lipid (P:E ratio of 22.0 g protein MJ^?1) diet is recommended for rearing juvenile A. japonicus of a mass range of 100–300 g.     

金鼓鱼幼鱼对蛋白质的适宜需要量研究

为确定金鼓鱼(Scatophagus argus)日粮中蛋白质的适宜添加量,作者以酪蛋白为蛋白源、鱼油为脂肪源,配制脂肪水平为8%,蛋白水平分别为24%、28%、32%、36%、40%的5种配合饲料(D1~D5),在海上网箱中以初始体质量为4.3 g左右的幼鱼开展养殖实验。8周后,测定实验鱼增质量率、特定生长率、蛋白质效率、饲料系数、消化酶和一些免疫及抗氧化指标。结果显示,随着饲料蛋白水平的升高,金鼓鱼的增质量率、特定生长率、蛋白质效率等均呈现先上升后下降的趋势,以D3组最高,3项指标均显著高于D1、D2组;饵料系数呈现先下降再上升趋势,以D3组最低,且显著低于D1、D2组。饲料蛋白水平也显著影响金鼓鱼的相关生理生化指标,其中D3和D4组的全鱼蛋白含量、消化道蛋白酶活性和一些免疫抗氧化指标最高,全鱼脂肪含量最低。根据饲料蛋白含量与增质量率的线性回归分析,确定金鼓鱼幼鱼饲料中的适宜蛋白水平为35%。     

Use of probiotic bacteria to improve growth and survivability of farmed New Zealand abalone (Haliotis iris)

The effects of two probiotic feeds containing two and three bacterial isolates were evaluated on the growth performance of New Zealand abalone (Haliotis iris). Probiotic bacteria were isolated from the guts of healthy adult abalone. The isolates were screened qualitatively and quantitatively according to their ability to hydrolyse nutrients (i.e. proteins, starch and alginate), produce acid and resist bile salts. Based on the screening results, we developed a multi-strain conglomerate of 2- and 3- probiotic bacterial strains that were supplemented into a commercial abalone feed to use in our experiments. The 2-probiotic conglomerate consisted of Exiguobacterium JHEb1 and Vibrio JH1, and the 3-probiotic conglomerate consisted of Exiguobacterium JHEb1, Vibrio JH1 and Enterococcus JHLDc. The probiotic feeding trial involved abalone juveniles (20–30 mm in maximum shell length). Both probiotic feeds significantly improved abalone growth compared to that of the unsupplemented feed. The 3-probiotic supplemented feed produced a significant shell length increase of 20.9%, a wet weight gain of 19.8% and a five-fold reduction in mortality compared to the controls. The 2-probiotic supplemented feed resulted in significant increases in shell length (15.4%) and reduced mortality (five-fold), but not in weight gain, compared to controls.     

The occurrence of mycotoxigenic fungi in abalone feed in South Africa

Abalone feed in South Africa is mainly produced from locally sourced grains and has soy or fishmeal as a protein source. Contamination with fungal species associated with grain-based animal feed is, therefore, a predictable risk. Various Fusarium, Penicillium and Aspergillus species are known to produce mycotoxins when colonising grains. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of toxigenic fungal species in the ingredients of compound abalone feeds as well as in final abalone-feed products. In this study, 248 fungal isolates were obtained from feed ingredients and compound abalone feeds collected from three different South African abalone farms and one feed supplier. Morphological and multigene phylogenetic analyses were used to identify the fungi isolated. Fusarium, Penicillium and Aspergillus species were consistently isolated. The presence of these species does not always result in mycotoxin contamination.     

Effect of graded levels of dietary carbohydrate on growth,feed utilisation and intestinal microbial community structure in dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus fed a pelleted diet

The ability to utilise carbohydrates is limited for many predatory marine fishes. Graded levels of dietary carbohydrate (4.1–24.6%) were formulated using pregelatinised maize starch, to determine optimal levels for dusky kob Argyrosomus japonicus, an emerging mariculture finfish for which pelleted feeds are being developed. Specific growth rate increased with an increase in the carbohydrate level up to 16.72%, after which it declined. Feed utilisation followed a similar trend, with the best feed conversion ratio (1.28) and protein efficiency ratio (1.76) recorded at 16.4% carbohydrate. Lipid vacuolisation of the hepatocytes was evident in all livers examined, with melano-macrophage aggregates in those of fish fed 24.6% carbohydrate suggesting starvation. Gut bacterial community profiles were variable but were not influenced by dietary carbohydrate level and differed mostly between fish fed trout feed prior to the trial and those fed experimental diets containing starch. The dusky kob were able to clear glucose from their blood when fed up to 16.4% carbohydrate, but glucose removal was not achieved at 24.6% carbohydrate. In conclusion, dusky kob has a limited ability to utilise cooked starch as a carbohydrate source, which may be included in pelleted feed at 16.4% without adverse effects. For this species, levels of dietary carbohydrate above this may result in symptoms consistent with physiological breakdown, including reduced growth, reduced feed intake and feed conversion efficiency, prolonged hyperglycaemia, liver pathology and altered microbial communities in the foregut.     

Integrated culture of silver kob Argyrosomus inodorus and bloodworm Arenicola loveni loveni in abalone farm effluent

South African abalone Haliotis midae farms utilise large volumes of seawater (c. 500–1 500 l s^–1) and produce relatively dilute effluents that are potentially suitable for the integrated culture of other species. To test this hypothesis, a marine finfish, silver kob Argyrosomus inodorus, and a detritivorous polychaete, bloodworm Arenicola loveni loveni, were cultured in abalone farm effluent and the results compared to controls reared in unused seawater. The silver kob were fed a nutritionally complete pelleted diet whereas the bloodworm were placed in shallow tanks with a low water velocity that allowed suspended organic solids to settle for the detritivorous worms to feed on. Silver kob growth rate (0.48% body weight d^–1; SE = 0.01%), mortality (1.8 ± 0.5%), feed conversion ratio (3.0 ± 0.2) and protein efficiency ratio (1.0 ± 0.1) did not differ significantly between the effluent and control treatments. Bloodworm reared in abalone effluent grew well on the particulate organic waste matter in the effluent (0.39% body weight gain d^–1; SE = 0.07%), whereas those in the seawater control lost weight at 0.19 ± 0.04% body weight d^–1 over the experimental period. Bloodworm mortality did not differ significantly between effluent (6 ± 3%) and unused seawater (11 ± 8%) treatments. The faster growth of bloodworm in the abalone farm effluent was ascribed to the higher deposition rate of enriched organic solids (182 ± 56 g m^–2 d^–1) compared with those grown in the seawater control (46 ± 13 g m^–2 d^–1). It was concluded that abalone farm effluent is potentially suitable for the culture of both bloodworm and silver kob.     

不同剂型和剂量的维生素C对幼刺参生长的影响

在水温11.0～14.0℃条件下,将平均体质量2.29 g的幼刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)随机放入39个容积50 L塑料水槽中,投喂以玉米蛋白为蛋白源,分别添加0、500、1 000、2 000和4 000 mg/kg V_C-2-三聚磷酸酯(L-ascorby1-2-polyphosphate, LAPP)、V_C-棕榈酸酯(L-ascorby1 palmitate, LAP)和V_C -磷酸酯镁(L-ascorby1-2-monophosphate-magnesium, APM)的13种饲料.90 d的饲养情况表明,摄食添加V_C饲料的刺参的生长、蛋白质效率均显著高于摄食未添加V_C的幼参(P＜0.05).摄食添加LAPP饲料幼参的特殊生长率最高(0.21%/d),添加LAP(0.17%/d)的次之,添加APM(0.15%/d)的最低,分别比对照组(0.12%/d)高75.00%、41.67%和25.00%.摄食添加LAPP饲料幼参的平均蛋白质效率最高(12.57%),摄食添加LAP饲料的(7.76%)次之,摄食添加APM(6.86%)的最低,分别比对照组(5.52%)高127.72%、40.58%和24.28%.在3种剂型V_C组中,饲料系数由低到高依次为:LAPP＜LAP＜APM.饲料中LAPP、APM和LAP的添加量为2 000～2 500 mg/kg、1 000～1 500 mg/kg和2 000～3 125 mg/kg时,幼刺参对饲料蛋白的表观消化率最高,生长最快,饲料系数最低.     

Assessing the ecosystem effects of the abalone Haliotis midae from its diet and foraging behaviour

The South African abalone Haliotis midae is commercially exploited and seriously threatened by overfishing. This not only affects the species itself but potentially the functioning of the ecosystem because of associated changes in community structure. The nature of effects that can follow the loss or reduction of a species depends in part on its position in the foodweb and its feeding behaviour. To assess the ecosystem effects of the adults and subadults of this previously abundant herbivore on the south-west coast of South Africa, we studied their diet and mode of food procurement by (a) in-field observations of adult and subadult abalone, (b) analysis of the gut contents of adults, (c) comparison of diet with the availability of algae, and (d) a mesocosm experiment on subadult feeding behaviour. Both field and dietary studies showed that adults subsist mainly by trapping drift kelp, but also occasionally graze on attached algae such as Plocamium spp., and feed in a manner that is highly selective, with drift kelp constituting 95–98% of the diet, and several species of common algae being avoided. In the mesocosm experiment, subadults preferentially fed on drift kelp, but emerged at night to a greater extent to graze on microflora if no drift material was available. Their propensity to emerge was, however, reduced if the rock lobster Jasus lalandii was present. Collectively, this evidence indicates that any ecosystem effects that subadults and adults of H. midae have as grazers will be weak because they feed mainly by trapping drift material, and the frequency of grazing and the incidence of consumption of attached algae are low.     

尼罗系吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)幼鱼实用日粮中蔗糖糖蜜的养殖效果与血糖代谢变化

采用6种等蛋白质(34.4%)、等能量(16.10MJ/kg)试验日粮,研究了尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼实用日粮中蔗糖糖蜜替代小麦次粉的养殖效果与血糖代谢变化。结果表明,56d试验期间各试验组鱼均无死亡;蔗糖糖蜜替代小麦次粉40%—100%日粮组鱼的摄食量、特定生长率、饲料效益和蛋白效益均高于小麦次粉组鱼,当蔗糖糖蜜100%替代小麦次粉时,其摄食量、特定生长率和饲料效益蛋白效益比均显著性上升(P<0.05)。各试验组鱼鱼体营养成分(蛋白质、脂肪、灰分和水分)和肝体指数无显著性差异(P>0.05),肝脏结构正常。蔗糖糖蜜组鱼血浆中血糖、总蛋白、胆固醇、甘油三酯含量明显高于小麦次粉组鱼(P<0.05)。本试验结果认为,蔗糖糖蜜在尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼实用日粮中可以完全替代小麦次粉,蔗糖糖蜜对尼罗系吉富罗非鱼幼鱼具有较好的生长效益、节约日粮蛋白质效益和适口性,其主要原因与摄食蔗糖糖蜜后尼罗系罗非鱼幼鱼产生的较长时间高血糖现象有关。     

棕点石斑鱼循环水养殖系统细菌多样性分析

为探究棕点石斑鱼(Epinephelusfuscoguttatus)在循环水养殖模式中的生长及养殖水体与石斑鱼肠道的菌群特征, 51 000尾平均体质量为(13.72±0.51) g、平均体长为(8.90±0.66) cm的棕点石斑鱼苗被随机平均分配至6个直径为8m的PE养殖水槽中,通过循环水设备进行封闭式养殖。结果显示:经过12个月的养殖,棕点石斑鱼的成活率为83.2%±7.6%,体质量为(487.32±12.68) g、体长为(31.24±1.22) cm,平均日增质量为1.30 g。采取16S rRNA高通量测序技术,定期检测养殖水体和棕点石斑鱼肠道菌群特征。结果显示:循环水养殖系统和棕点石斑鱼肠道中的菌群结构都相对稳定,没有表现出明显的季节差异;水体和棕点石斑鱼肠道的菌群具有一定的关联性,二者之间共有的OTUs(Operational Taxonomic Units)为2259个,主要为发光杆菌属(Photobacterium)和弧菌属(Vibrio)等。水体和肠道样品中还含有大量的特异OTUs,其中棕点石斑鱼肠道中检测出19838个特异性OTUs,主要是慢生根瘤菌属(Brad...     

豆油替代鱼油对赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelus akaara)生长、体组成及体脂肪酸组成的影响

以鱼粉和酪蛋白为蛋白源,玉米淀粉为糖源,以豆油分别替代25%、50%、75%和100%的鱼油,配制4组等氮(50.26%—51.03%)、等能(20.82—21.01k J/g)实验饲料,每组饲料设3个平行,每个平行20尾鱼,进行为期6周的生长实验。实验结果表明,过高的豆油替代会引起生长的下降。随着豆油替代水平的升高,饲料转换系数(FCR)呈现先下降后上升的趋势,最高值(1.96±0.42)出现在全豆油替代水平组,而蛋白质效率(PER)表现为相反的结果。全豆油替代组呈现相对最高的肝体比(HSI)值,但各处理组之间没有显著性差异(P0.05)。全鱼水分和蛋白含量没有明显差异(P0.05)。投喂25%替代水平组的全鱼脂肪含量最高(P0.05),但是在50%—100%替代水平处理组之间没有显著差异(P0.05)。赤点石斑鱼鱼体脂肪酸组成明显受到饲料脂肪酸组成的影响。随着饲料豆油水平的升高,全鱼鱼体中的亚油酸(C18:2n6)含量显著升高(P0.05),ARA(C20:4n6)、EPA(C20:5n3)和DHA(C22:6n3)含量在全豆油替代组最低。总之,饲料豆油替代水平不宜超过75%,过高的豆油替代水平可能会对赤点石斑鱼生长产生不利影响,并影响鱼的品质。     

Evidence for a positive relationship between juvenile abalone Haliotis midae and the Sea urchin Parechinus angulosus in the South-Western Cape,South Africa

Previous field observations have suggested an association between the urchin Parechinus angulosus and juveniles of the abalone Haliotis midae. To test the generality and nature of this association, surveys were carried out at five sites between Cape Point and Danger Point in the kelp beds of the South-Western Cape, South Africa. These showed that both species occupy primarily hard substrata, showing preferences for encrusting coralline algae. They also confirmed a strong, positive relationship between urchins and juvenile abalone. Of the juvenile abalone sampled, more than 98% were found beneath sea urchins. All small (3–10 mm) and medium-sized(11–20 mm) juvenile abalone were under urchins, whether on flat or vertical reef, or in crevices. A small proportion (～10%) of larger juveniles(21–35 mm) was not found under urchins, and in these instances they occupied crevices instead. These findings are of particular importance in terms of their implications for the lucrative commercial abalone fishery in South Africa, indicating that urchins are of critical importance to the continued survival of viable abalone populations. There has been a dramatic decrease in natural populations of sea urchins over the past five years in the heart of the abalone fishing grounds, and the present findings suggest that this will lead to recruitment failure of abalone, because juvenile abalone seem dependent on the urchins. The long-term consequences for the industry may be crucial.     

Effect of Protein Level and Varying Protein – Lipid Concentrations on Growth Characteristics of Juvenile Spotted Grunter Pomadasys Commersonnii (Haemulidae)

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein level on growth, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio of juvenile (3–6 g) spotted grunter Pomadasys commersonnii. In the experiment, six semi-purified diets containing casein and fishmeal as protein sources, and with crude protein levels ranging from 35 to 60%, were fed to three replicate groups of fish per treatment in a recirculating system at the optimum temperature for growth. The relationships between dietary crude protein level and growth parameters were analysed by broken-line regression models. Results suggest that 48 – 50% dietary protein is needed for optimum growth and feed conversion for P. commersonnii. In a second experiment, three protein levels (35, 45 and 55%) at three different lipid concentrations (6, 8 and 12%) were used to formulate nine semi-purified diets that were fed for 60 days to triplicate groups of fish per treatment. Results suggest that a diet of at least 45% protein with a 12% lipid inclusion level is required for the best specific growth rate (5.96% per day) and feed conversion ratio (1.72) at this specific stage in the growth phase of P. commersonnii.     

肉骨粉添加微胶囊蛋氨酸替代鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾生长、饲料表观消化率及体成分的影响

选用均初始体质量为0.91 g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)540尾,随机分为6个处理组,每组设3个重复,每个重复30尾。用肉骨粉(meat and bone meal,MBM)替代日粮中0、20%、40%、60%、80%和100%的鱼粉,分别添加不同梯度微胶囊蛋氨酸(microencapsulated DL-methionine,MM)配制成6种等氮饲料投喂凡纳滨对虾55 d。结果表明:MBM添加MM替代60%鱼粉对对虾增重率和SGR无显著影响(P0.05),对虾对各试验饲料的饲料系数和蛋白质效率无显著影响(P0.05),而替代80%和100%鱼粉对对虾增重率、SGR、饲料系数和蛋白质效率有显著影响(P0.05);MBM添加MM替代鱼粉后对对虾体成分、体氨基酸含量和蛋白质含量无明显影响(P0.05)。在MBM高水平替代鱼粉饲料中添加MM可通过平衡对虾饲料必需氨基酸,提高了对虾对饲料的表观消化率,而不影响对虾的生长和体营养成分,降低了对虾饲料的成本。     

Macrofaunal involvement in the sublittoral decay of kelp debris: the polychaete Platynereis dumerilii (Audouin and Milne-Edwards) (Annelida: Polychaeta)

Platynereis dumerilii is found in large numbers in parchment-like tubes attached to sublittoral accumulations of detached maroalgae (principally Laminaria saccharina) in Kames Bay, Isle of Cumbrae and Lochranza, Isle of Arran. Its rôle in weed decomposition has been examined by comparing its responses (behavioural choice, growth rates, absorption efficiencies of both carbon and protein, gut retention times and rate of faecal output) to fresh and rotting weed. Worms grew significantly on either diet, with older individuals gaining more weight than small individuals. Animals of a standard size (derived from measurements of maximum bite size) feeding on fresh weed, however, grew significantly faster than those feeding on rotting weed. The former had a significantly higher protein absorption efficiency which was linearly related to protein content of ingested weed. This was not so on rotting weed. Organic carbon absorption efficiencies did not differ significantly between the two groups, neither did gut retention times nor rates of faecal output. Given a choice, Platynereis chooses to build its tube, and to feed, on fresh kelp—a strategem which ensures both maximum scope for occupancy before fronds decay and a superabundance of preferred food. Platynereis feeds around its tube entrance, recropping small areas for 2–3 days, prior to switching to another area nearby. Ciliate population densities on Platynereis faeces are much lower than on either homogenized or intact weed, associated with their lower, nutritional value (at first). Platynereis bubes act to bind kelp fronds together stabilizing the faecal input to infaunal detritivores. Platynereis is an example of a detritivore which exploits the detrital substratum directly.     

Colonisation of South African kelp-bed canopies by the alien mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: extent and implications of a novel bioinvasion

The Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is the most significant invasive alien marine species in South Africa and, although not normally found subtidally, has recently been observed colonising heads and stipes of the kelp species Ecklonia maxima in False Bay. We quantified this invasion and explored its ecological implications. Transects laid across kelp beds revealed that 10.34% of kelp individuals surveyed bore canopy mussels, with kelp heads (10.07%) being far more commonly infected than stipes (0.27%). Twenty kelp individuals with infected heads and 20 with infected stipes were separately collected for more-detailed examination. Wet mass of mussels on these kelp heads ranged from 2.5 to 2 462 g (median 86.4 g, interquartile range 14.8–353.8 g) and that of mussels on the stipes from 7.6 to 3 492 g (median 595.5 g, interquartile range 194.0–955.0 g). Mussel clumps consisted mostly of individuals <40 mm in length. Mussel clumps supported a rich biota of 80 invertebrate and 13 algal species. Larger clumps supported more epibiotic species, and those on stipes more species than those of comparable mass on kelp heads. The mussels and their associated epibiotic species negatively affected kelp buoyancy, but rarely enough to overcome natural buoyancy. Some kelp individuals that had been toppled by the weight of mussels and their epibiotic species, however, were encountered in situ. Implications of this invasion include large increases in animal biomass and species richness in the kelp canopy, plus reductions in kelp buoyancy and increased hydrodynamic drag on infected kelps, increasing their probability of being uprooted. Uprooted kelp individuals can raft long distances, potentially transporting both native and alien species to distant sites.