A review of Epipenaeon ingens Nobili, 1906 (Isopoda: Bopyridae) host species and documentation of a new host, Metapenaeopsis stridulans (Alcock, 1905) (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

We collected 3 596 Metapenaeopsis stridulans (Decapoda: Penaeidae) from the southeast coast of India between January and December 2007. Sixty three specimens (43 females and 18 males) were parasitized by the bopyrid isopod Epipenaeon ingens (Isopoda: Bopyridae). This is the first report of the occurrence of E. ingens in this host; therefore, it was considered as a new host record. The highest level of infestation (3.2%) occurred in October 2007, coincident with observations of gravid females (9). The total prevalence and presence of gravid females were 17.46% and 28%, respectively. Infestation caused a characteristic bulge of the branchial chamber, growth retardation, and degeneration of the sex organs, but had no effect on the host weight.     

Partial Sequence Analysis of Mitochondrial COI Gene of the Chinese Shrimp, Fenneropenaeus Chinensis

Eight hundred and thirty eight base pair fragment of mitochondrial COI gene of wild and cultured populations (CP1, CP4, CP5 and CP6) of Fenneropenaeus chinensis was amplified and sequenced. The A, T, G and C contents of the sequence were 235bp (28.0% ),.307bp (36.6%), 138bp (16.5%) and 158bp (18.9%), respectively. Furthermore, 556bp fragment of the sequence was used to discuss the phylogenetic relationship among 14 Penaeidae species using Alpheus armillatus as the outgroup. From the molecular phylogenetic tree constructed by neighbor-joining method, we obtained three large shrimp groups: Farfantepenaeus, Litopenaeus and Fenneropenaeus group. The results also indicated that there were a closer genetic relationships between F. aztecus and F. paulensis, L. schmitti and L. setiferus, F. indicus and F. merguiensis, and the genus Farfantepenaeus was closer to Litopenaeus.     

Partial sequence analysis of mitochondrial COI gene of the chinese shrimp, <Emphasis Type="Italic">fenneropenaeus chinensis</Emphasis>

Eight hundred and thirty eight base pair fragment of mitochondrial COI gene of wild and cultured populations (CP1, CP4, CP5 and CP6) of Fenneropenaeus chinensis was amplified and sequenced. The A, T, G and C contents of the sequence were 235 bp (28.0%), 307 bp (36.6%), 138 bp (16.5%) and 158 bp (18.9%), respectively. Furthermore, 556 bp fragment of the sequence was used to discuss the phylogenetic relationship among 14 Penaeidae species using Alpheus armillatus as the outgroup. From the molecular phylogenetic tree constructed by neighbor-joining method, we obtained three large shrimp groups: Farfantepenaeus, Litopenaeus and Fenneropenaeus group. The results also indicated that there were a closer genetic relationships between F. aztecus and F. paulensis, L. schmitti and L. setiferus, F. indicus and F. merguiensis, and the genus Farfantepenaeus was closer to Litopenaeus.     

Selection of nursery areas by six southeast African Penaeidae

A survey was carried out along the shore and adjacent mangrove swamp in the northeast margin of Maputo Bay in Mozambique, east Africa. The study area contained several habitats within close proximity. These were shallow pools in the intertidal muddy sand flats, areas of submerged macrophytes, the swash zone on sandy beaches, primary mangrove channels, secondary mangrove channels, shallow mangrove creeks and a shallow creek with strong freshwater influence at the landward fringe of the swamp. Each station was sampled by means of a small handnet. Data suggest that Penaeus japonicus prefers sandy substrata, while P. semisulcatus chooses areas rich in submerged macrophytes. P. indicus and P. monodon both appear to favour muddy mangrove channels, although P. monodon may require marginal or floating vegetation as nurseries. Metapenaeus stebbingi seems to prefer the swash zone in quiet areas with minimal wave action, while M. monoceros is more widespread and is able to cope with very low salinities. Managers of coastal systems should, therefore, attempt to maintain a diversity of biotopes within larger systems because, even if postlarvae do enter an estuary, juvenile populations with not develop if their specific habitat has been destroyed.     

Differential selection for vegetative structure between juvenile brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) and white shrimp (P. setiferus), and implications in predator-prey relationships

The distributions of juvenile brown shrimp, Penaeus aztecus, and white shrimp, P. setiferus, (57–72 mm TL) were monitored in partially vegetated laboratory enclosures to examine selection for vegetative structure. Simulated Spartina culms, composed of green straws, were used as structure in the experiments. Brown shrimp selected for this structure during the day but not at night. White shrimp showed no strong selective preference for structure during the day or night.Selection in the field was measured by examining densities of the two species of shrimp (40–80 mm TL) in a Galveston Bay, Texas, salt marsh. Brown shrimp were more abundant in vegetated habitats (Spartina alterniflora) than in adjacent non-vegetated areas. Differences in white shrimp densities between the two habitats were variable, and no consistent pattern was observed.laboratory predation experiments were conducted in non-vegetated and vegetated cages using Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) as predators. In non-vegetated cages there was no significant selection for either species of shrimp by the fish. In partially and completely vegetated cages, fish selected white shrimp over brown shrimp. These data suggest that the presence of vegetation alters prey selection by Atlantic croaker, and this interaction may result in greater mortality of white shrimp compared with brown shrimp in salt marshes.