A Comparative Study of Genetic Variation betwccn Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir Sinensis and Hepu Mitten Crab E. Hepuensis

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the biochemical genetic structure of Chinese mittencrab Eriocheir sinensis and Hepu mitten crab E. hepuensis. Sixteen putative enzyme-coding loci were examined for forty-nineChinese mitten crabs and thirty-eight Hepu mitten crabs. Nine loci, AAT-1 *, AAT-2 *, G3PDH*, GPI*, IDHP-1 *, IDHP-2 *,MDH-1 *, MDH-2 * and PGM * , are polymorphic in Chinese mitten crab, and seven, AAT-1 *, AAT-2 *, GPI *, IDHP-1 *,MDH-1 *, MDH-2 * and PGM * , are polymorphic in Hepu mitten crab. The proportion of polymorphic loci and the expectedheterozygosity are 0.562 5 and 0.080 3 for Chinese mitten crab, and 0.437 5 and 0.075 4 for Hepu mitten crab. The Nei' s ge-netic distance between two species is 0.002 4.     

A comparative study of genetic variation between Chinese mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">ericheir sinensis</Emphasis> and Hepu mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. hepuensis</Emphasis>

Horizonal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the biochemical genetic structure of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis and Hepu mitten crab E. hepuensis. Sixteen putative enzyme-coding loci were examined for forty-nine chinese mitten crabs and thirty-eight Hepu mitten crabs. Nine loci, AAT-1 ^*, AAT-2 ^*, G3PDH ^*, GPI ^*, IDHP-1 ^*, IDHP-2 ^*, MDH-1 ^*, MDH-2 ^* and PGM ^*, are polymorphic in Chinese mitten crab, and seven, AAT-1 ^*, AAT-2 ^*, GPI ^*, IDHP-1 ^*, MDH-1 ^*, MDH-2 ^* and PGM ^*, are polymorphic in Hepu mitten crab. The proportion of polymorphic loci and the expected heterozygosity are 0.562 5 and 0.080 3 for Chinese mitten crab, and 0.437 5 and 0.075 4 for Hepu mitten crab. The Nei’s genetic distance between two species is 0.002 4.     

Transcriptome of Eriocheir sinensis under air exposure

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is an economically important crab in China. Air exposure is a common stress for E. sinensis, especially during the...     

Sustainable fisheries in shallow lakes:an independent empirical test of the Chinese mitten crab yield model

Next to excessive nutrient loading,intensive aquaculture is one of the major anthropogenic impacts threatening lake ecosystems.In China,particularly in the shallow lakes of mid-lower Changjiang(Yangtze) River,continuous overstocking of the Chinese mitten crab(Eriocheir sinensis) could deteriorate water quality and exhaust natural resources.A series of crab yield models and a general optimum-stocking rate model have been established,which seek to benefit both crab culture and the environment.In this research,independent investigations were carried out to evaluate the crab yield models and modify the optimum-stocking model.Low percentage errors(average 47%,median 36%) between observed and calculated crab yields were obtained.Specific values were defined for adult crab body mass(135 g/ind.) and recapture rate(18%and 30%in lakes with submerged macrophyte biomass above and below 1 000 g/m~2)to modify the optimum-stocking model.Analysis based on the modified optimum-stocking model indicated that the actual stocking rates in most lakes were much higher than the calculated optimum-stocking rates.This implies that,for most lakes,the current stocking rates should be greatly reduced to maintain healthy lake ecosystems.     

Effects of fishes on the growth and survival of Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis

This experiment on the effects of fishes (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Channa argus, Cyprinus carpio) on growth and survival of juvenile Chinese mitten crab,Eriocheir sinensis was conducted in cages placed in Bao'an Lake. T-tests showed that effects of fishes on the carapace width growth were not significant as compared with the control (no fish). But the effects of these fishes on crab survival were negative. The causes of negative effects of fishes on crab survival were simply discussed on the basis of food habits. This research was financially supported by the Department of Agriculture (96-008-02-03), P. R. China, and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Key Project: KZ951-A1-102).     

Water quality, nutrient budget, and pollutant loads in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) farms around East Taihu Lake

To understand the factors causing frequent outbreaks of harmful algae blooms in the Taihu Lake, China, we studied water quality and nutrient budget in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) farm ponds in the eastern part of the lake from November 2007 to December 2009. We estimated the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads. Materials input and output ponds, water exchange, and applied management practices of 838.5-hm2 crab ponds were surveyed using questionnaires. Water quality of 12 ponds, which were located no more than 2 km from East Taihu Lake, were monitored. The results show that water quality in the crab ponds was better than reference data. Feeds, including corn seed, commercial feed, trash fish, and gastropod, were the major sources of N and P input in the crab ponds, contributing 88.7% and 94.9%, respectively. In total, 60.5% of N and 37.3% of P were sequestered by macrophytes, and only 15.7% and 8.5% of them were discharged as effluent. The net loads of N and P in effluent were 16.43 kg/hm2/cycle and 2.16 kg/hm2/cycle, respectively, while the COD load was -17.88 kg/hm2/cycle. This indicated that crab farming caused minor negative impact on the trophic status of the lake area, which was attenuated by macrophytes. However, wastewater purification is still necessary in crab faming.     

Quantitative comparison of the expression of myogenic regulatory factors in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)embryos and adult tissues

MyoD,Myf5,and myogenin are myogenic regulatory factors that play important roles during myogenesis.It is thought that MyoD and Myf5 are required for myogenic determination,while myogenin is important for terminal differentiation and lineage maintenance.To better understand the function of myogenic regulatory factors in muscle development of flounder,an important economic fish in Asia,real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the expression patterns of MyoD,Myf5, and myogenin at early stages of embryo development,and in different tissues of the adult flounder.The results show that,Myf5 is the first gene to be expressed during the early stages of flounder development, followed by MyoD and myogenin.The expressions of Myf5,MyoD,and myogenin at the early stages have a common characteristic:expression gradually increased to a peak level,and then gradually decreased to an extremely low level.In the adult flounder,the expression of the three genes in muscle is much higher than that in other tissues,indicating that they are important for muscle growth and maintenance of grown fish.During embryonic stages,the expression level of MyoD might serve an important role in the balance between muscle cell differentiation and proliferation.When the MyoD expression is over 30%of its highest level,the muscle cells enter the differentiation stage.     

Changes during late-stage embryonic development from egg-juvenile to free-living hatchling in Chinese freshwater crab Sinopotamon yangtsekiense (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae)

This study expands on recent reports that direct development in the Chinese potamid freshwater crab Sinopotamon yangtsekiense involves the completion of all brachyuran larval stages (nauplius, zoea, and megalopa) inside the egg case during embryonic development. Detailed studies of embryonic development in this species revealed the presence of an additional larval stage (the egg-juvenile) between the megalopa and the free-living hatchling crab. We described and compared the appendages of the head, thorax, and abdomen of the egg-juvenile with those of the hatchling crab in S. yangtsekiense. Significant differences were found between most of the appendages of these two stages with a soft exoskeleton in the egg-juvenile, no joint articulation, a slimmer appearance, and a lack of setae when compared with the newly emerged free-living hatchling crab. These modifications of the appendages are related to the confinement within the egg case of the egg-megalopa and egg-juvenile during direct development, and the need for the free-living hatchling freshwater crab to move, feed, and respire. In marine crabs, the megalopa gives rise to the first crab stage whereas in freshwater crabs the egg-juvenile follows the megalopa and immediately precedes the free-living first crab stage.     

Quantitative comparison of the expression of myogenic regulatory factors in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) embryos and adult tissues

MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin are myogenic regulatory factors that play important roles during myogenesis. It is thought that MyoD and Myf5 are required for myogenic determination, while myogenin is important for terminal differentiation and lineage maintenance. To better understand the function of myogenic regulatory factors in muscle development of flounder, an important economic fish in Asia, real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to characterize the expression patterns of MyoD, Myf5, and myogenin at early stages of embryo development, and in different tissues of the adult flounder. The results show that, Myf5 is the first gene to be expressed during the early stages of flounder development, followed by MyoD and myogenin. The expressions of Myf5, yoD, and myogenin at the early stages have a common characteristic: expression gradually increased to a peak level, and then gradually decreased to an extremely low level. In the adult flounder, the expression of the three genes in muscle is much higher than that in other tissues, indicating that they are important for muscle growth and maintenance of grown fish. During embryonic stages, the expression level of MyoD might serve an important role in the balance between muscle cell differentiation and proliferation. When the MyoD expression is over 30% of its highest level, the muscle cells enter the differentiation stage.     

Using iTRAQ-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis to Identify Differentially Expressed Proteins Related to Larval Development of Portunus trituberculatus

The swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus is an economically important marine crustacean species. Here isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ) analysis were used to identify proteins that are differentially expressed during larval development of P. trituberculatus to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In comparison with the first zoea stage(Z1), 3980 proteins were identified from 32789 peptides, which were matched with 115497 spectrums. A total of 241 proteins were screened with significantly differential expressions in all development stages. These 241 proteins are involved in various biological processes, such as cytoskeleton organization, protein synthesis, energy production and substance metabolism, physiological activities, and transport.Cluster analyses of the 241 differentially expressed proteins led to the generation of four protein clusters based on the overall similarity in protein expression patterns. Exactly 54, 70, 36, and 45 proteins clustered in profiles 10(0, 0, 0,-1, 0, 0), 15(0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1), 18(0, 1, 2, 2, 1, 0), and 19(0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), respectively. Muscle development and exoskeleton renewal were important processes throughout the development stages. In addition, protein synthesis, degradation, and digestion actively occurred, especially at the Z4 stage. These results provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying larval development of swimming crab and can assist in larval rearing.     

Identification and sequence of a cDNA clone corresponding to a gene involved in development ofUndaria pinnatifida

During the induction of gamete-producing gametangia, induced gametophytes were collected at 4 days intervals (0,4,8,12 d) and total RNAs were isolated by CsCl gradient ultracentrifugation. Some stage-specific expressed mRNAs were identified by differential display of mRNAs from different developing stages of the gametophytes. The cDNA of one specific mRNA was verified, cloned and sequenced. This gene was specifically expressed during 4 days of induction, and had partial homologous sequence with tobacco IAA-binding protein gene. It suggests that this cDNA may represent a gene which is related to the IAA regulating function during the development of the gametophytes.

     

Occurrence of Two Distinct Types of Tissue Inhibitors of Metallo-proteinases-2 in Fugu rubripes

In this study, genes of two distinct tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 （TIMP-2） from Japanese puffer fish Fugu rubripes, Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b, were cloned. The open reading frames of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b cDNAs are composed of 660 and 657 nucleotides and 220 and 219 amino acids, respectively. Both Fugu TIMP-2s contain 12 cysteine residues, which might form six disulfide bonds as in other animals＇ TIMP-2s. Reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the mRNAs of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b to be expressed in some tissues examined with different expression patterns. These findings suggest that the two distinct Fugu TIMP-2s might perform different functions in Fugu tissues.     

Occurrence of two distinct types of tissue inhibitors of metallo-proteinases-2 in Fugu rubripes

In this study, genes of two distinct tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) from Japanese puffer fish Fugu rubripes, Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b, were cloned. The open reading frames of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b cDNAs are composed of 660 and 657 nucleotides and 220 and 219 amino acids, respectively. Both Fugu TIMP-2s contain 12 cysteine residues, which might form six disulfide bonds as in other animals’ TIMP-2s. Reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the mRNAs of Fugu TIMP-2a and TIMP-2b to be expressed in some tissues examined with different expression patterns. These findings suggest that the two distinct Fugu TIMP-2s might perform different functions in Fugu tissues.     

Effects of mercuric chloride on antioxidant system and DNA integrity of the crab Charybdis japonica

Mercury (Hg) is one of the commonly encountered heavy metals, which is widespread in inshore sediments of China. In order to investigate the toxicity of Hg on marine invertebrates, we studied the effects of the divalent mercuricion (Hg²⁺) (at two final concentrations of 0.0025 and 0.0050 mg L⁻¹, prepared with HgCl₂) on metallothionein (MT) content, DNA integrity (DNA strand breaks) and catalase (CAT) in the gills and hepatopancreas, antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), in the hemolymph, gills and hepatopancreas of the portunid crab Charybdis japonica for an experiment period up to 15 d. The results indicated that MT was significantly induced after 3 d, with a positive correlation with Hg²⁺ dose and time in the hepatopancreas and a negative correlation with Hg²⁺ dose and time in the gills. While CAT in the hemolymph was not detected, it increased in the hepatopancreas during the entire experiment; SOD and GPx in the three tissues were stimulated after 12 h, both attained peak value and then reduced during the experimental period. Meanwhile, DNA strand breaks were all induced significantly after 12 h. These results suggested the detoxification strategies against Hg²⁺ in three tissues of C. japonica.