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.     

Growth,reproduction & population structure of the freshwater crabSinopotamon yangtsekiense bott, 1967, from Zhejiang,China

Monthly investigations were mae on the population of Chinese freshwater crab,Sinopotamon yangtsekiense Bott, 1967 from April, 1984 to March, 1985. The data on 4413 specimens show that the growth was affected mainly by temperature. During the April to November growth period, the crabs' major development occurred from June through October. One year was required for a fine white oocyte to develop into a mature egg. The reproduction period was June–October. Females bearing eggs were taken from June–August, and crabs with young were found from July–October. The females reproduced once a year but could for more than one year. The number of eggs carried by a female varied greatly according to the size of the crab, ranging from 30 to 100 eggs. New-born crabs become mature after 1–2 years. The sex ratio was approximately 1∶1 in the overall population. However, the larger crabs are predominantly male. The age distribution ofS. yangtsekinese was estimated from size frequency histograms. There were more adult crabs (over 70%) from June to October and more immature crabs (over 50%) from November to May.     

锈斑蟳(Charybdis feriatus)室内人工育苗的研究

盐度30、温度27.5～29.5℃、pH7.8～8.6的条件下,投喂扁藻(10×104mL-1)、轮虫(20mL-1～50mL-1)、卤虫无节幼体(1mL-1～30mL-1)及卤虫成体(0.1mL-1),进行锈斑蟳室内人工育苗试验。结果表明:溞状幼体Z1期2～4d,存活率100%;Z2期2～3d,存活率74.0%～78.0%;Z3、Z4、Z5期各3d,存活率分别为37.5%～59.0%、26.5%～43.0%、22.0%～36.7%;Z6期3～5d,存活率19.0%～26.3%;大眼幼体5～6d,存活率11.0%～11.5%;Ⅰ期幼蟹(蟹苗)存活率4.5%～5.0%,整个育苗过程共计20～26d。     

Dynamic metabolite alterations of Portunus trituberculatus during larval development

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - A mass mortality often occurs from molting to the megalopa stage during the larval development of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus. Larvae with...     

GROWTH, REPRODUCTION & POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE FRESHWATER CRAB SINOPOTAMON YANG TSEKIENSE BOTT, 1967, FROM ZHEJIANG, CHINA

Monthly investigatiom were made on the population of Chinese freshwater crab, Sinopotamon yangteskiense Bott, 1967 from April, 1984 to Match, 1985. The data on 4413 specimens show that the growth was affected mainly by temperature. During the April to November growth period, the crabs' major development occured from June through October. One year was required for a fine white oocyte to develop into a mature egg. The reproduction period was June-October. Females bearing eggs were taken from June-August, and crabs with young were found from July-October. The females reproduced once a year but could for more than one year. The number of eggs carried by a female varied greatly according to the size of the crab, ranging from 30 to 100 eggs. New-bom crabs become mature after 1-2 yeats. The sex ratio was approximately 1:1 in the overall population. However, the larger crabs are predominantly male. The age distribution of S. yangtsekinese was estimated from size frequency histograms. There were more adult crabs     

Production of Pacific White Shrimp Polycultured with Swimming Crab at Different Densities,and Nutrient Budget in the Enclosure System

This study was to evaluate the effect of stocking densities on the nitrogen and phosphorus budgets for a polyculture of the crab Portunus trituberculatus and the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.The shrimps(initial weight,0.012 g)were cultured at a density of 45 shrimp m^-2,and juvenile crabs(initial weight,0.024 g)were cultured at five densities of 0,3,6,9,and 12 crabs m^-2.The treatments were grouped as C0S45,C3S45,C6S45,C9S45,and C12S45,respectively.Water quality parameters,growth of shrimp and crabs,and nitrogen and phosphorus budget were measured.The results indicated that the shrimp performances in polyculture treatments C3S45 and C6S45 were superior to those in the crab-free treatment(C0S45).The crab in treatments C3S45 and C6S45 exhibited a significantly higher final mean weight and carapace width/length than those in treatments C9S45 and C12S45.The final size and survival of crabs had a negative correlation with the increasing crab stocking density.The contents of total phos-phorus and total nitrogen and the comprehensive contamination index values were higher in the C9S45 and C12S45 treatments than in the other treatments.The conversion ratios of nitrogen for crab and shrimp growth in treatment C3S45 were significantly higher than those in the crab-free treatment.These findings indicate that polyculturing shrimp with crabs at suitable densities can improve productivity,profitability,nutrient utilization,and the environmental quality.From the 60-day treatments,the optimal culture densi-ties were 3-6 crabs m^-2 and 45 shrimps m^-2.     

合浦绒螯蟹的繁殖生物学

为保护和开发合浦绒螯蟹资源 ,通过生态调查和实验 ,研究了该蟹的繁殖生物学 ,结果表明 :1、该蟹在淡水中生长 ,在盐度为 8～ 2 5的海水中繁殖 ;2、其生活史包括卵、氵蚤状幼体、大眼幼体、幼蟹、成蟹几个阶段 ;3、繁殖季节为 10月到翌年 3月 ,卵和幼体生长发育的适宜水温为 15～ 2 5℃。     

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.     

Accumulation and depuration of pectenotoxins in brown crab Cancer pagurus

Pectenotoxins (PTXs) are a group of marine algal toxins. In this study, the accumulation and depuration of pectenotoxins in brown crab Cancer pagurus were investigated. Crabs were fed with toxic blue mussels Mytilus edulis for 21 days and then depurated for 42 days. Toxins were extracted with methanol from the digestive glands of contaminated crabs, uncontaminated crabs (control group) and from blue mussels for comparison. Extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatograph coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The concentrations of PTX-2, PTX-2 SA, 7-epi-PTX-2 SA, and PTX-12 were analyzed in two batches of toxic blue mussels and the crabs. A one-compartment model was applied to describe the depuration of PTXs. The half-life of PTXs was estimated to be 6–7.5 days. After depuration for 42 days, the amount of PTXs measured in the crab digestive glands was less than 1 μg/kg. Supported by Norwegian Education Funding “Quata”(2005)     

Ontogenic study of isozymes in giant tiger prawn,Penaeus monodon (Crustacea: Decapoda)

The patterns of isozyme variation throughout the life cycle of the giant tiger prawn,Penaeus monodon were described for ten enzyme systems (G3PD, MDH, LGG, GPI, MPI, FBP, PGM, LDH, PGD, and PROT). The zymograms showed little variation in the number of isozymic loci expressed during larval development compared with results reported for other penaeid prawns. There were specific ontogenic patterns at some loci. As larvae developed beyond the embryonic stage, there was a tendency for intensity of staining and complexity of banding patterns to increase.     

Effect of an escape vent in accordion-shaped traps on the catch and size of Asian paddle crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Charybdis japonica</Emphasis> in an artificial reef area

Accordion-shaped traps are widely used in China to catch the Asian paddle crab Charybdis japonica but traps of conventional design often catch juvenile crabs. A new type of accordion-shaped trap with an escape vent (L×W=4.3 cm×3.0 cm) was designed and a comparative study between the newly designed and conventional traps was performed in the artificial reef area of Zhuwang, Laizhou Bay, China from June to August 2012. The mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) of undersized crabs was significantly lower in the vented traps than in the conventional traps (paired t -test, n=30, P<0.001), while the CPUE of marketable crabs was significantly higher in the vented traps (paired t-test, n=30, P<0.001). The mean size of crabs (carapace length) caught in the vented traps was significantly larger than in conventional traps (paired t-test, n=29, P<0.001). The ratio of undersized crabs was 35.05±2.57% in conventional traps and 12.53±0.69% in vented traps (significantly lower, paired t-test, n=29, P<0.001). Therefore, a 4.3 cm×3.0 cm escape vent was considered appropriate for C. japonica fishing in the artificial reef area. This finding will assist the development of more sustainable and efficient crab fishing methods using accordion-shaped traps.     

Comparative analysis of mitochondrial genome of a deepsea crab Chaceon granulates reveals positive selection and novel genetic features

Deep-sea organisms survive in an extremely harsh environment.There must be some genetic adaptation mechanisms for them.We systematically characterized and compared the complete mitochondrial genome(mitogenome) of a deep-sea crab(Chaceon granulates) with those of shallow crabs.The mitogenome of the crab was 16 126 bp in length,and encoded 37 genes as most of a metazoan mitogenome,including 13 protein-coding genes(PCGs),22 transfer RNA(tRNA) genes,and 2 ribosomal RNA(rRNA) genes.The gene arrangement and orientation was conserved in the crabs.However,a unique mitogenome element regulator,the origin of light-strand replication(O L),was firstly predicted in the present crab mitogenome.In addition,further positive selection analysis showed that two residues(33 S in ND3 and 502 I in ND5) in C.granulates mitogenome were positively selected,indicated the selective evolution of the deep-sea crab.Therefore,the mitogenome of deep-sea C.granulates showed a unique O_L element and positive selection.These special features would influence the mitochondrial energy metabolism,and be involved in the adaptation of deepsea environment,such as oxygen deficits and low temperatures.     

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).     

Effects of several immunostimulants on phenoloxidase and hemocytes of the crab Charybdis japonica

To investigate the stimulating effects of immunostimulants on the autogenous immunocompetence of crabs and the possible mechanisms involved, the immunostimulating effects of β-1,3-glucan, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), inactivated Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio anguillarum on phenoloxidase (PO) and hemocytes of Charybdis japonica were investigated in this study. It was found that the yields and the enzymatic activities of purified PO in C. japonica increased significantly after the crabs were treated with immunostimulants, while the unit enzymatic activities remained almost the same. After treatment with β-1,3-glucan and LPS, the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the number of mitochondria in both semigranular cells and granular cells increased greatly, and the number of cytoplasmic granules decreased but with enlarged volume. However, the corresponding characteristics of hyaline cells remained almost the same. On the other hand, the number of granules in semigranular cells decreased greatly, and the number of mitochondria of hyaline cells increased greatly, after treatment with inactivated vibrios. It may be concluded that the effect of polysaccharide immunostimulants on the innate immune system of C. japonica is different from that of inactivated vibrio immunostimulants. The immunity-enhancing mechanism of polysaccharides in crab autogenous immunocompetence is probably accomplished by the increased yields of PO and total PO activities, while that of inactivated vibrios is probably accomplished by the partially increased yields of PO and total PO activities as well as the significantly improved phagocytotic abilities of semigranular cells and hyaline cells.     

Phospholipid Compositions in Portunus trituberculatus Larvae at Different Developmental Stages

Phospholipids are used to improve the growth and survival of Portunus trituberculatus,a widely cultured crab species in China.However,only total phospholipids or several classes are applied in crab diets.In this study,we employed a targeted lipidomic method to investigate the comprehensive phospholipid composition in P.trituberculatus larvae and reveal the changing phospholipid profile over the larval development.Results showed that P.trituberculatus larvae contain 112 phospholipid species belonging to 10 phospholipid classes,in which phosphatidylcholine(PC)and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE)species are the most abundant,and PC,PE,phosphatidic acid,and phosphatidylserine(PS)are with high concentrations.The levels of all phospholipids significantly changed with larval development,which was highlighted by the downward parabolic changes in PE,phosphatidylglycerol,phosphatidylino-sitol,PS,lysophosphatidic acid,and sphingomyelin levels.In addition,nearly all phospholipid species were depleted at the M stage,which probably contributed to the mass mortality of crab larvae.These findings on the composition and alterations of phospholipids in P.trituberculatus larvae provide novel perspectives for the targeted supplementation of phospholipids in crab diets.Our work also highlights the use of targeted UHPLC-MS lipidomics in understanding the changes of phospholipids during crab development.     

Primary molecular basis of androgenic gland endocrine sex regulation revealed by transcriptome analysis in Eriocheir sinensis

In crustaceans, the male sexual differentiation and maintenance are specially regulated by androgenic gland (AG). However, little is known about the genes involved in the regulation process. RNA-Seq was performed on AG with ejaculatory duct (AG_ED) and ejaculatory duct (ED) as control in Eriocheir sinensis, one of the most important economic and fishery crabs with typically sex dimorphism. A total of 925 unigenes were identified as differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the expression of nine genes randomly selected was confirmed by qRT-PCR. 667 unigenes were up-regulated in AG_ED, being supposed to be AG preferential genes. Among them, the full length of insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) cDNA named as Es-IAG was obtained as a logo gene of AG, which together with the genes insulin-like receptor (INR), and single insulin binding domain protein (SIBD), might constitute the sex regulation pathway. Several sex related genes were identified, and their function will have to be investigated. Also, the identification of juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase 1 (JHEH1), ecdysteroid 22-hydroxylase (DIB) and ecdysone receptor (ECR) preliminarily clarified the molecular regulation mechanism of eyestalk-AG-testis axis, which plays important roles in molting and reproduction. The results will enhance our understanding for the molecular basis of the AG involved in male sex regulation in crabs.

     

Metabolism of pectenotoxins in brown crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cancer pagurus</Emphasis> fed with blue mussels <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus edulis</Emphasis>

We investigated the metabolism of pectenotoxins in brown crabs(Cancer pagurus).The crabs were fed with blue mussels(Mytilus edulis) for 21 d then depurated for 42 d.We extracted the toxins from the digestive glands of contaminated crabs,uncontaminated crabs(control group),and the meat of blue mussels using methanol.Extracts of the crab digestive glands were fractionated by liquid-liquid partitioning and solid phase extraction.The fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spec...     

Ontogenetic development in the morphology and behavior of loach （Misgurnus anguillicaudatus） during early life stages

Loach （Misgurnus anguillicaudatus） is a commercially important fish in China and an ideal aquaculture species. However, culturists experience high larval and juvenile mortality during mass production. To provide insight into ways to improve larviculture techniques, we describe the morphological characteristics and behavior of loach during the larval and early juvenile stages. Yolksae larvae ranged from 2.8 to 4.0 mm body length （BL） between days 0 to 4; preflexion larvae ranged from 3.6 to 5.5 mm BL between days 4 to 6; flexion larvae ranged from 4.8 to 8.1 mm BL between days 5 and 14; and post-flexion larvae ranged from 7. l to 15.7 mm BL between days 11 to 27; the minimum length and age of juveniles was 14.1 mm BL and 23 d, respectively. Loach are demersal from hatch through to the early juvenile stages. A suite of morphological characteristics （e.g., external gill filament and ventral mouth opening） and behavioral traits have developed to adapt to demersal living. We observed positive allometric growth in eye diameter, head length, head height, and pectoral fin length during the early larval stages, reflecting the priorities in the development of the organs essential for survival. Our results provide a basis for developing techniques to improve the survival of larval and juvenile loach during mass production.