Selection for growth performance of tank-reared Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Seven growth-related traits were measured to assess the selection response and genetic parameters of the growth of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, which had been domesticated in tanks for more than four generations. Phenotypic and genetic parameters were evaluated and fitted to an animal model. Realized response was measured from the difference between the mean growth rates of selected and control families. Realized heritability was determined from the ratio of the selection responses and selection differentials. The animal model heritability estimate over generations was 0.44±0.09 for body weight (BW), and ranged from 0.21±0.08 to 0.37±0.06 for size traits. Genetic correlations of phenotypic traits were more variable (0.51–0.97), although correlations among various traits were high (>0.83). Across generations, BW and size traits increased, while selection response and heritability gradually decreased. Selection responses were 12.28%-23.35% for harvest weight and 3.58%–13.53% for size traits. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.34±0.09 to 0.48±0.15 for harvest weight and 0.17±0.01–0.38±0.11 for size traits. All phenotypic and genetic parameters differed between various treatments. To conclude, the results demonstrated a potential for mass selection of growth traits in L. vannamei. A breeding scheme could use this information to integrate the effectiveness constituent traits into an index to achieve genetic progress.     

Genetic improvement on Chinese shrimp （Fenneropenaeus chinensis）： growth and viability performance in F1 hybrids of different populations

Fenneropenaeus chinensis distributed in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Different geographical populations represent potentially different genetic resources. To learn further the characteristics of different geographical population, crosses among two wild and three farmed populations were produced. The two wild populations were from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea (WYP), and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and coast (WKN). The three farmed populations included the offspring of first generation of wild shrimp from coast in Korea (FKN), the Huang Hai (the Yellow Sea in Chinese) No. 1 (HH 1), and JK98. The phenotypes growth and survival rates of these populations were compared to confirm the feasibility for crossbreeding. The body length (BL), carapace length (CL), carapace width (CW), height of the second and third abdominal segment (HST), width of the second and third abdominal segment (WST), length of the first abdominal segment (LF), length of the last abdominal segment (LL), live body weight (BW), and survival rate were measured. Different combinations were statistically performed with ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple significant difference (P<0.05) in BL, CL, HST, LL, and BW; and insignificant difference (P0.05) in other growth traits and survival rate. The results of Duncan's Multiple Range Test are that BL and CL of was the best combination in all growth traits. Therefore, hybridization can introduce the variation to base populations. The systematic selection program based on additive genetic performance may be more effective than crossbreeding.     

Beak measurements of octopus (Octopus variabilis) in Jiaozhou Bay and their use in size and biomass estimation

Cephalopods play key roles in global marine ecosystems as both predators and preys. Regressive estimation of original size and weight of cephalopod from beak measurements is a powerful tool of interrogating the feeding ecology of predators at higher trophic levels. In this study, regressive relationships among beak measurements and body length and weight were determined for an octopus species (Octopus variabilis), an important endemic cephalopod species in the northwest Pacific Ocean. A total of 193 individuals (63 males and 130 females) were collected at a monthly interval from Jiaozhou Bay, China. Regressive relationships among 6 beak measurements (upper hood length, UHL; upper crest length, UCL; lower hood length, LHL; lower crest length, LCL; and upper and lower beak weights) and mantle length (ML), total length (TL) and body weight (W) were determined. Results showed that the relationships between beak size and TL and beak size and ML were linearly regressive, while those between beak size and W fitted a power function model. LHL and UCL were the most useful measurements for estimating the size and biomass of O. variabilis. The relationships among beak measurements and body length (either ML or TL) were not significantly different between two sexes; while those among several beak measurements (UHL, LHL and LBW) and body weight (W) were sexually different. Since male individuals of this species have a slightly greater body weight distribution than female individuals, the body weight was not an appropriate measurement for estimating size and biomass, especially when the sex of individuals in the stomachs of predators was unknown. These relationships provided essential information for future use in size and biomass estimation of O. variabilis, as well as the estimation of predator/prey size ratios in the diet of top predators.     

Analysis of phenotypic and genetic parameters for growthrelated traits in the half smooth tongue sole, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynoglossus semilaevis</Emphasis>

Phenotypic and genetic parameters for growth-related traits in the half-smooth tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis, were estimated in 22 full-sib families produced by normal and neo-male breeding stocks. As phenotypic males with female genotypes, neo-males are harmful in C. semilaevis aquaculture because they reduce overall production. The present study evaluated the difference in the growth-related traits: total length (TL), body weight (BW) and square root of body weight (SQ_BW) at the age of 570 days between normal and neo-male offspring (neo-males used as male parents). The difference in the proportion of females between normal and neo-male offspring was also assessed. Based on the linear mixed model, restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) were used to estimate various (co)variance components and estimated breeding values (EBVs) of growth-related traits. As a result, all the mean values of the three studied traits were significantly larger in normal offspring than in neo-male offspring. Additionally, the female proportion was significantly larger in normal offspring than in neo-male offspring. Heritability was 0.128±0.066 2 for TL, 0.128±0.065 5 for BW and 0.132±0.062 9 for SQ_BW, all of which were low level heritabilities. The correlation coefficients of EBVs and phenotypic values of the target traits were 0.516 for TL, 0.524 for BW and 0.506 for SQ_BW, all of which were highly significant (P <0.01). Genetic correlations among TL, BW and SQ_BW were positive high (0.921–0.969) and higher than those of phenotype (0.711–0.748), both of which had low standard errors (0.063–0.123 for genotype, and 0.010–0.018 for phenotype). Compared with normal offspring, neo-male offspring have lower breeding values for each studied trait through EBVs comparison. Therefore, neo-male offspring should not be used as broodstock in a C. semilaevis breeding programs.     

Genetic improvement on Chinese shrimp （Fenneropenaeus chinensis）： growth and viability performance in F1 hybrids of different populations

Fenneropenaeus chinensis distributed in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of China and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula. Different geographical populations represent potentially different genetic resources. To learn further the characteristics of different geographical population, crosses among two wild and three farmed populations were produced. The two wild populations were from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea （WYP）, and the west coast of the Korean Peninsula and coast （WKN）. The three farmed populations included the offspring of first generation of wild shrimp from coast in Korea （FKN）, the Huang Hai （the Yellow Sea in Chinese） No.1 （HH1）, and JK98. The phenotypes growth and survival rates of these populations were compared to confirm the feasibility for crossbreeding. The body length （BL）, carapace length （CL）. carapace width （CW）, height of the second and third abdominal segment （HST）, width of the second and third abdominal segment （WST）, length of the first abdominal segment （LF）, length of the last abdominal segment （LL）, live body weight （BW）, and survival rate were measured, Different combinations were statistically performed with ANOVA and Duncan＇s Multiple Range Test. The results show that the survival rate of JK98（♀）×WKN（♂） was the highest, followed by WYP（♀）×WKN（♂）, FKN（♀）×WYP（♂）, FKN（♀）×HHI（♂） and WYP（♀）×FKN（♂）; the body weight of FKN（♀）×HHI（♂） was the highest, followed by FKN（♀）×WYP（♂）, WYP（♀）×WKN（♂）, WYP（♀）×FKN（♂） and JK98（♀）×WKN（♂）; the total length had the same ranking as the body weight. All growth traits in hybrids JK98（♀）×WKN（♂） were the lowest among all combinations. F1 hybrids had significant difference （P〈0.05） in BL, CL, HST, LL, and BW; and insignificant difference （P〉0.05） in other growth traits and survival rate. The results of Duncan＇s Multiple Range Test are that BL and CL of J     

Optimal content and ratio of lysine to arginine in the diet of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The optimal quantity of dietary lysine (Lys) and arginine (Arg), and the optimal ratio of dietary Lys to Arg for Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were investigated. Coated Lys and Arg were added to a basal diet (37.99% crude protein and 7.28% crude lipid) to provide graded levels of Lys and Arg. The experimental diets contained three Lys levels (2.51%, 2.11%, and 1.70% of total diet), and three Arg levels (1.41%, 1.80%, and 2.21% of total diet) and all combinations of these levels were tested. Pacific white shrimp, with a mean weight of 3.62±0.1 g, were randomly distributed in 36 fiberglass tanks with 30 shrimp per tank and reared on the experimental diets for 50 days. After the feeding trial, the growth performance, survival, feed conversion rate (FCR), body composition and protease and lipase activities in the hepatopancreases of the experimental shrimps were determined. The results show that weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), FCR, body protein, body Lys and Arg content were significantly affected by dietary Lys and Arg (P <0.05) and improved when dietary Lys and Arg levels were 2.11% ～ 2.51% and 1.80%～2.21%, respectively. Protease and lipase activities in the hepatopancreases of the shrimps appeared higher when dietary Lys and Arg quantities were 2.11% ～2.51% and 1.80%～2.21%, although the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). Therefore, according to our results, the optimal Lys and Arg quantities in the diet of Pacific white shrimp, L. vannamei, were considered to be 2.11%–2.51% and 1.80%–2.21%, respectively, and the optimal ratio to be 1:0.88–1:1.05.     

Estimated reproductive success of brooders and heritability of growth traits for large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) using microsatellites

We estimated the reproductive success of adult brood fish and the heritability of growth-related traits for large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). We created two independent full-factorial cross groups (1 and 2) by crossing 4 males×4 females and 4 males×3 females, respectively. We measured the body weight (BW), body length (BL), and body height (BH) of 281 individuals from group 1 and 318 individuals from group 2 at 20 months post hatch (harvest age). We also collected a tissue sample from each individual. The parents and offspring were genotyped using six polymorphic microsatellites. Of the 599 offspring, 99.2% were assigned to a single pair of parents. In both groups, some parent pairs produced a large number of offsprings while other pairs did not produce any offspring. The genetic diversity and putative Ne were lower in the offsprings than in the parents in both groups. The heritability estimates at 20-month age were 0.13±0.10 for BW, 0.19±0.13 for BL, and 0.09±0.06 for BH. The genetic and phenotype correlation between BW, BL, and BH was close to 1. The results provide basic information for selective breeding and further genetic characterization of large yellow croaker.     

Morphological changes and allometric growth in hatchery-reared Chinese loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paramisgurnus dabryanus</Emphasis> (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872)

The length-weight relationship and allometric growth patterns of hatchery-reared Chinese loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872), were determined from hatching to 60 days after hatching. A best power model was estimated for the length-weight relationship during the early life stages. Positive allometric growth for the head segment, trunk length, tail length and eye diameter was also found in the early life stages, while body depth, tail depth, tail fin length, pectoral fin length and barbel length displayed a negative coefficient. During the subsequent early developmental stage, the growth coefficients showed a clear and common tendency towards isometry for all measured body ratios. The allometric growth changes in Chinese loach during the early stage are possibly the result of selective organogenesis directed towards survival priorities.     

Response to selection for fast growth in the second generation of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

Mass selection for fast growth was conducted in three Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) stocks from China, Japan and Korea using previously established lines (CS1, JS1, and KS1). To determine whether continuous progress can be achieved by selection for growth, the progeny of three second-generation Pacific oyster lines was selected for shell height and evaluated via a 400-day farming experiment. When harvested at the end of the experiment, the selected crosses of CS2, JS2, and KS2 lines grew by 9.2%, 10.2% and 9.6% larger than the control crosses, respectively. During grow-out stage, the genetic gain of three selected lines was (10.2 ± 1.4)%, (10.4 ± 0.3)%, and (8.4 ± 1.6)%, respectively; and the corresponding realized heritability was 0.457 ± 0.143, 0.312 ± 0.071 and 0.332 ± 0.009, respectively. These results indicated that the selection for fast growth achieved steady progress in the second generation of oyster. Our work provides supportive evidence for the continuity of the Pacific oyster selective breeding program.     

Effect of bioactive peptides (BPs) on the development of Pacific white shrimp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis> Boone, 1931)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of replacing fish meal (FM) with bioactive peptides (BPs) in diet of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The changes in growth performance, body composition, non-specific immunity, and water quality were examined after the shrimp were fed four diets, in which 0% (control), 33.3%, 66.7% and 100% of FM was replaced by BPs, respectively. The groups were designated as Con, 1/3BPs, 2/3BPs, and 3/3BPs. A total of 720 shrimp with an initial body weight of 1.46 ± 0.78 g were fed the experimental diets for 56 days. The results revealed that: 1) the weight gain rate (WGR) in 1/3BPs, 2/3BPs, and 3/3BPs was significantly higher than that in Con (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found on survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR); 2) the whole-body crude protein (CP) and crude lipids (CL) were significantly different among groups, while there was no significant difference between crude ash and phosphorus contents; 3) the levels of acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LZM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenol oxidase (PO) and bactericidal activity increased significantly with the inclusion of BPs; 4) in terms of water quality, no significant difference was found in pH and dissolved oxygen among diets during the whole experimental period. Moreover, even though nitrite and ammonium levels tended to increase with time, there was no significant difference among groups. The results indicated that BPs is an applicable alternative of protein source, which can substitute FM in the diets of L. vannamei; it is able to effectively promote growth performance and improve immunity. Moreover, BPs in the diets had no negative impact on water quality.     

Effect of copper on the growth of shrimps Litopenaeus vannamei: water parameters and copper budget in a recirculating system

Shrimps( Litopenaeus vannamei) were intensively cultured in a recirculating aquaculture system for 98 days to investigate effects of 0.3 mg/L Cu on its performance, Cu budget, and Cu distribution. Shrimps in Cu-treated systems had greater mean final weight(11.10 vs 10.50 g), body length(107.23 vs 106.42 mm), survival rate(67.80% vs 66.40%), and yield(6.42 vs 5.99 kg/m 3), and lower feed conversion ratio(1.20 vs 1.29) than those in control systems but the differences were not significant. Vibrio numbers remained stable(10 4 –10 6 colony forming units/mL) in the rearing tanks of both control and treated systems. Total ammonium-N, nitrite-N, nitrate-N, pH, chemical oxygen demand, 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids were similar in controls and treatments. Dissolved Cu concentration in the treated systems decreased from 0.284 to 0.089 mg/L while in the control systems it increased from 0.006 2 to 0.018 mg/L. The main sources of Cu in the treated systems were the artificially added component(75.7% of total input), shrimp feed(21.0%), water(2.06%), and shrimp biomass(1.22%). The major outputs of Cu occurred via the mechanical filter(41.7%), water renewal(15.6%), and draining of the sediment trap(15.1%). The foam fractionator removed only 0.69% of total Cu input. Harvested shrimp biomass accounted for 11.68% of Cu input. The Cu concentration of shrimps in the Cu-treated systems(30.70 mg/kg wet weight) was significantly higher than that in control systems(22.02 mg/kg). Both were below the maximum permissible concentration(50 mg/kg) for Cu in seafood for human consumption in China. Therefore, recirculating systems can be used for commercial on-growing of Litopenaeus vannamei without loss of shrimp quality, even in water polluted by 0.30 mg/L Cu. The mechanical filter is the main route for Cu removal.     

马氏珠母贝经济性状对体重决定效应分析

采用通径分析方法研究了不同养殖区马氏珠母贝各分性状对体重的决定效应。结果表明:流沙养殖群体分性状壳长、壳高、壳宽、铰合线长、软体部重和闭壳肌重与体重间呈正相关(P<0.01),对体重的直接决定效应分别为0.091、0.072、0.029、0.002、0.089和0.001,间接决定效应分别为0.319、0.284、0.183、0.03、0.304和0.004,总决定效应分别为0.41、0.356、0.212、0.032、0.393和0.005;6个经济性状与体重间的关系在抽样断面上可用线性回归模型拟合,复相关系数达0.939(P<0.01)。6个性状3类决定效应按大小排列均为壳长>软体部重>壳宽>壳高>铰合线长>闭壳肌重。迈陈养殖群体作为验证群体,各效应值与前者有差异,但3类决定效应大小排序与前者完全相同。基于决定效应大小及性状易测性,育种目标性状的选择策略为首选壳长,二选壳高,三选壳宽。研究还发现壳宽对软体部重具有最大的决定效应,提出加大壳宽选择强度以培育大型珍珠新观点。     

Phenotypic correlations of somatic and gonad traits of sea urchins Glyptocidaris crenularis in two sampled periods: first insight into its breeding and aquaculture

Prior knowledge of the correlations among commercially important traits in Glyptocidaris crenularis can be used to guide development of breeding and aquaculture programs for this species. We evaluated the phenotypic correlations between somatic and gonadal traits in G. crenularis during two sample periods （October 2010 and April 2011）. The coefficients of variation （CV%） for body weight （BW）, redness （a＊）, yellowness （b＊）, gonad wet weight （GW）, and gonad index （GI） were 〉20% in both periods, while those of other traits were very low. GW was significantly correlated with somatic traits （diameter, height, and body weight） in both periods, although the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.473 to 0.636 （P〈0.01）. Gonad moisture content （GC）, a＊, and lightness （L＊） were not significantly correlated with somatic traits （P〉0.05）. The color trait b＊ was negatively correlated with somatic traits （test diameter, test height, and body weight） during the period when the gonads were well developed （April 2011, P〈0.05）. We observed little difference in the nature of the phenotypic correlations between the two sample periods. The high variation in the somatic and gonad weight traits in G. crenularis suggests there is considerable potential for selective breeding. However, our results suggest that gonad quality traits cannot be selected indirectly by selecting for body weight. Our study provides an insight into the method for improving the breeding and aquaculture of G. crenulari.     

BAC end sequencing of Pacific white shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Litopenaeus vannamei</Emphasis>: a glimpse into the genome of Penaeid shrimp

Little is known about the genome of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). To address this, we conducted BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) end sequencing of L. vannamei. We selected and sequenced 7 812 BAC clones from the BAC library LvHE from the two ends of the inserts by Sanger sequencing. After trimming and quality filtering, 11 279 BAC end sequences (BESs) including 4 609 paired- ends BESs were obtained. The total length of the BESs was 4 340 753 bp, representing 0.18% of the L. vannamei haploid genome. The lengths of the BESs ranged from 100 bp to 660 bp with an average length of 385 bp. Analysis of the BESs indicated that the L. vannamei genome is AT-rich and that the primary repeats patterns were simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and low complexity sequences. Dinucleotide and hexanucleotide repeats were the most common SSR types in the BESs. The most abundant transposable element was gypsy, which may contribute to the generation of the large genome size of L. vannamei. We successfully annotated 4 519 BESs by BLAST searching, including genes involved in immunity and sex determination. Our results provide an important resource for functional gene studies, map construction and integration, and complete genome assembly for this species.     

12月龄多鳞鱚形态性状对体质量的影响

【目的】研究12月龄多鳞鱚(Sillago sihama Forssk?l)形态性状与体质量之间的关系,筛选适用于选育的主要形态性状。【方法】测定12个形态性状与体质量的表型参数,通过通径分析、相关分析和多元回归分析估计主要性状对体质量的直接影响和间接影响。【结果】12月龄多鳞鱚13个性状之间的相关系数均达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。通径分析表明,体高(X1)、体厚(X2)、眼径(X7)、体长(X10)和背鳍前长(X11)对体质量(Y)有明显的直接影响;除体长外,其他生长性状对体质量的直接影响均小于它们对体质量的间接影响,同时,体长对体质量的直接影响最大。相关分析表明,上述5个主要性状是体质量变化的主要影响因素。体长对体质量的单独决定系数最大(0.331),5个主要性状对体质量的总决定系数为0.928。建立的以主要性状为自变量、体质量为因变量的回归方程为Y=-13.339+2.913X1+3.352X2-4.467X7+1.473X10+0.763X11。【结论】体长、体厚、眼径、体高和背鳍前长等5个主要性状是影响多鳞鱚体质量的核心性状,其中体长影响最大。     

乌苏里江唇耗氧率和窒息点的初步研究

进行不同温度和不同规格人工养殖的乌苏里江唇(Hemibarbus labeo)耗氧量(MO2)、耗氧率(WO2)和窒息点(SO2)的初步测定。结果表明:水温16~28℃范围内,随着水温的升高,耗氧率、耗氧量和窒息点都表现出增大的变化趋势。温度和耗氧率的回归方程:1龄鱼体重11 g的为WO2=0.0142T-0.0863(R2=0.9617),2龄鱼体重60 g的为WO2=0.0138T-0.1121(R2=0.97);温度和窒息点的回归方程:1龄鱼体重8 g的为SO2=0.0298T-0.1891(R2=0.977 8),2龄鱼体重40 g的为SO2=0.048 8T-0.402 5(R2=0.999 7)。体重20~100 g范围内,水温25℃时,随着体重规格的增大,耗氧量逐渐升高,耗氧率逐渐减小。体重和耗氧率的回归方程为WO2=0.7825W-0.2898(R2=0.947 4),体重和耗氧量的回归方程为MO2=0.7837W0.7097(R2=0.991 6)。唇鱼的昼夜耗氧率(水温25℃,体重72 g)有一定的变化趋势,早间4~10时耗氧率较高,平均在0.332±0.046 mg/(g.h),午间11~19时中等,在0.287±0.030 mg/(g.h),晚间20~3时较低,在0.251±0.029 mg/(g.h)。     

北部湾野生长毛明对虾(Fenneropenaeus penicillatus)体重和形态性状的关系

测量北部湾86尾野生长毛明对虾体长、头胸甲长、胸高、胸宽、第一腹节宽、第一腹节高、第三腹节高、额剑上刺数、额剑下刺数和体重等10个性状,采用逐步回归法分析9个性状和体重的关系。结果表明:体长、头胸甲长、胸高、第一腹节宽、第三腹节高和额剑下刺数6个性状与体重的相关系数达到了极显著水平(P<0.01),在单独的决定系数中:头胸甲长对体重的决定系数(14.44%)最大,共同决定系数中,体长与头胸甲长最大为21.13%。通过分析,建立长毛明对虾的体长、头胸甲长、胸高、第一腹节宽、第三腹节高、额剑下刺数对体重的最优理想回归方程,为长毛明对虾选育种和保种提供理想的测度指标。     

Morphological changes and allometric growth in hatcheryreared Chinese loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus(Dabry de Thiersant, 1872)

The length-weight relationship and allometric growth patterns of hatchery-reared Chinese loach, Paramisgurnus dabryanus(Dabry de Thiersant, 1872), were determined from hatching to 60 days after hatching. A best power model was estimated for the length-weight relationship during the early life stages. Positive allometric growth for the head segment, trunk length, tail length and eye diameter was also found in the early life stages, while body depth, tail depth, tail fi n length, pectoral fi n length and barbel length displayed a negative coeffi cient. During the subsequent early developmental stage, the growth coeffi cients showed a clear and common tendency towards isometry for all measured body ratios. The allometric growth changes in Chinese loach during the early stage are possibly the result of selective organogenesis directed towards survival priorities.     

Metabolism of polychaete Neanthes japonica Izuka： relations to temperature, salinity and body weight

Polychaete Neanthes japonica is a species geographically specific in China and Japan with important scientific implication and commercial value. In this study, the relations of body weight, salinity and temperature to oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of N. japonica were determined. Three different groups in body weight (large: 2.34±0.36 g, middle: 1.50±0.21 g and small: 0.62±0.12 g) were set for all experiments. Results show that the body weight is negatively related to the rates of oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion; and the relationship is significant. The oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion at 24°C decreased at salinity from 5 to 30 and increased above 30, indicating that both lower and higher salinity are adverse and certain degree of salinity stress is necessary for enhancing the energy demand. At salinity 30, rising temperature from 18°C to 30°C, the oxygen consumption increased before 27°C and then decreased. However, the relation of ammonia excretion and temperature seems more complex. Two-way ANOVA shows that salinity, temperature and body weight all have a significant effect on the oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion of the worm. Moreover, interaction between salinity/temperature and body weight is also significant. O:N (oxygen/nitrogen) ratio varies greatly in this case from 5.97 to 463.22, indicating that N. japonica can regulate the type of metabolic substrate against environment changes. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30490233) and the Three-Gorge Project and the Estuarine Environment (No. SX2004-018) from the Three Gorges Project Construction Committee