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Animals
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Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth
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Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 25945

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eva Armero

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Guest Editor
Animal Production Section, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
Interests: animal genetics; aquaculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Manuel Manchado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IFAPA, Centro El Toruño, Junta de Andalucía, Camino Tiro Pichón, S/N, 11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Spain
Interests: larval rearing, genomics, flatfish, aquaculture, genetics rearing; quantitative genetics; molecular markers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to approach 10 billion people by 2050. The global level of the prevalence of undernourished people has remained unchanged at a level slightly below 11 percent for several years (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Aquatic animals constitute a substantial contribution to our food supplies. In comparison with terrestrial livestock farming, fish are the most efficient converts of feed to weight (feed conversion ratio) and also have high protein and energy retention and high harvested edible yield. Aquaculture is a young animal production and, accordingly, the potential of biotechnological advances to improve both production and efficiency is very high.

This Special Issue on aquatic animals welcomes research articles in multidisciplinary fields, such as physiology, nutrition, genetics, immunology and diseases, husbandry and management, aquaculture engineering, environment conservation, animal welfare and products.

Dr. Eva Armero
Dr. Manuel Manchado
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aquaculture
  • fish
  • reproduction
  • nutrition
  • genetics
  • pathology
  • sustainability
  • welfare
  • engeneering

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2915 KiB  
Article
Effect of Treating Eggs with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on Growth Variables, Histomorphometry, and Antioxidant Capacity in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus × Oreochromis mossambicus) Larvae
by Mona M. Mourad, Shimaa A. Shahin, Ibrahim T. El-Ratel and Mohammed F. El Basuini
Animals 2022, 12(17), 2219; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172219 - 29 Aug 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2435
Abstract
Red tilapia eggs one day post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) at rates of 0, 5, and 10 mg/L for control, treatment 2 (C5), and treatment 3 (C10), respectively, without exchanging water and until the larval mouth-opening stage. Fertilized eggs [...] Read more.
Red tilapia eggs one day post fertilization (dpf) were exposed to coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) at rates of 0, 5, and 10 mg/L for control, treatment 2 (C5), and treatment 3 (C10), respectively, without exchanging water and until the larval mouth-opening stage. Fertilized eggs of red tilapia exposed to different concentrations of CoQ10 were hatched at rates (p > 0.05) between 38 to 54.67%. The yolk-sac diameter at the 2nd day post hatching (dph), ranged from 1.85 to 1.87 mm in depth and 1.63 to 1.88 mm in width and was not altered by the CoQ10 treatments. Similarly, red tilapia survival (p > 0.05) ranged from 22.67 to 32%. On 6 dph, a slight percentage (2.08%) of survived fishes exposed to high CoQ10 dose (C10) exhibited larval deformation in the form of an axial curvature of the spine in the abdominal and caudal region. Larvae displayed a normal structure of the esophagus folds in all fish groups, and larvae in the C5 group displayed the longest folds and widest muscularis layer, followed by fishes in the C10 group and the control. Red tilapia fry on 30 dph treated with CoQ10 possessed higher antioxidant potentials in terms of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) compared to the control. In conclusion, treating Red tilapia fertile eggs with 5 mg/L CoQ10 improves the growth, gut structure, and antioxidant efficiency of the produced larvae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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11 pages, 1598 KiB  
Communication
Thyroid Hormones in Hemolymph of Red King Crabs from the Barents Sea
by Alexander G. Dvoretsky, Elena V. Tipisova, Viktoria A. Alikina, Aleksandra E. Elfimova and Vladimir G. Dvoretsky
Animals 2022, 12(3), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030379 - 4 Feb 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2962
Abstract
Only a few studies have reported the presence and levels of thyroid hormones in invertebrates. At the same time, the administration of these hormones has been shown to be a profitable method for inducing growth in crustaceans. Knowledge of thyroid hormone concentrations is [...] Read more.
Only a few studies have reported the presence and levels of thyroid hormones in invertebrates. At the same time, the administration of these hormones has been shown to be a profitable method for inducing growth in crustaceans. Knowledge of thyroid hormone concentrations is required to involve this approach in crustacean aquaculture. For this reason, we examined hemolymph samples of the invasive red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus from the Barents Sea population for the levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Radioimmunoassays indicated that T3 ranged from 0.26 to 1.55 μg dL–1, whereas T4 varied from 52 to 203 μg dL–1. Adult crabs demonstrated higher levels of T3 than juveniles, while juvenile crabs had higher levels of T4 in comparison to larger conspecifics. The thyroxine levels were consistent throughout the study period. In contrast, significant seasonal variations were found for T3. In immature crabs, the maximum concentration was found in October, whereas in adult crabs, the highest level of T3 was registered in August. Most likely, these results are explained by changes in physiological conditions of the crabs associated with their molting calendar and migration activity. Our data may have important implications for aquaculture of Paralithodes camtschaticus in the Barents Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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13 pages, 824 KiB  
Article
Phenotypic and Genetic Components for Growth, Morphology, and Flesh-Quality Traits of Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Reared in Tank and Sea Cage
by Antonio Vallecillos, Emilio María-Dolores, Javier Villa, Francisco Miguel Rueda, José Carrillo, Guillermo Ramis, Mohamed Soula, Juan Manuel Afonso and Eva Armero
Animals 2021, 11(11), 3285; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113285 - 17 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2425
Abstract
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) plays an important role in the aquaculture system, with the potential for diversification of European aquaculture, and is characterized by its fast growth rate, low feed conversion ratio, and the high quality of the product. Focusing on the [...] Read more.
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) plays an important role in the aquaculture system, with the potential for diversification of European aquaculture, and is characterized by its fast growth rate, low feed conversion ratio, and the high quality of the product. Focusing on the relevance of meagre, the aim of the study was to analyze growth performance, fish morphology, and flesh composition phenotypically and genetically to be considered as a strategy in a breeding program. For this purpose, 633 fish were raised in two different housing systems, in sea cages or in a continental tank, and when they reached harvest size, manual growth traits, automatic morphology by the image analysis program IMAFISH_ML, and flesh chemical composition (fat, protein, moisture, and collagen percentages) were measured. The fish reared in the cages showed a higher body weight and fillet fat percentage than those in the tank. Heritabilities for growth and morphology traits, and for fillet fat percentage were medium, revealing these traits as a possible selection criterion in a breeding program. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between growth and morphology traits were positive and high. Phenotypic correlations between growth or morphology traits with fillet fat percentage were positive and medium; genetic correlations were not estimated accurately. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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15 pages, 1429 KiB  
Article
Dietary Phospholipids Enhance Growth Performance and Modulate Cold Tolerance in Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Juveniles
by Ismael Hachero-Cruzado and Manuel Manchado
Animals 2021, 11(9), 2750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092750 - 20 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2328
Abstract
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a fast-growing species currently produced in aquaculture. This species is highly sensitive to low environmental temperatures which results in high mortality events during production cycles. In this study, the effects of dietary phospholipids (PLs) on growth and [...] Read more.
Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a fast-growing species currently produced in aquaculture. This species is highly sensitive to low environmental temperatures which results in high mortality events during production cycles. In this study, the effects of dietary phospholipids (PLs) on growth and cold tolerance were evaluated. For this purpose, control (CTRL) and PL-enriched diets (three-fold higher levels than CTRL) were supplied to meagre juveniles (12.9 ± 2.5 g) for 60 days, and growth was determined using a longitudinal approach. Weight gaining and SGR reduction were significantly different between dietary treatments. Animals fed with the PL-enriched diet were 4.1% heavier and grew 3.2% faster than those fed with the CTRL diet. Survival was higher than 98% in both groups. After finishing the growth trial, animals were submitted to two cold challenges and cold tolerance was evaluated as temperature at death (Tdeath), risk to death and lethal doses (LD) 50 and 90 using the cumulative degree cooling hours 6 h (CD6H). Tdeath ranged between 7.54 and 7.91 °C without statistical differences between dietary treatments. However, risk to death was significantly smaller (0.91-fold lower) and LD50 and LD90 were higher in animals fed with the PL-enriched than those supplied the CTRL diet. To assess the fatty acid (FA) composition of liver and brain in animals fed both diets after a cold challenge, FA profiles were determined in juveniles maintained at 14 °C and challenged at 7 °C. FA amounts increased in the liver of animals challenged at 7 °C. In contrast, several FAs reduced their levels in the PL-enriched diet with respect to CTRL indicating that these animals were able to mobilize efficiently lipids from this organ mitigating the negative effects of lipid accumulation during the cold challenge. In brain, the PL-enriched diet increased DHA level during the cold shock indicating a role in maintaining of brain functions. These results open a new research line that could improve the cold tolerance of meagre through dietary supplementation before winter. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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11 pages, 1619 KiB  
Communication
Sex Hormones in Hemolymph of Red King Crabs from the Barents Sea
by Alexander G. Dvoretsky, Elena V. Tipisova, Aleksandra E. Elfimova, Viktoria A. Alikina and Vladimir G. Dvoretsky
Animals 2021, 11(7), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072149 - 20 Jul 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 7621
Abstract
The presence of vertebrate-related steroid sex hormones has been reported in both freshwater and marine crustaceans. However, despite the commercial importance of king crabs, many aspects of their endocrinology are still unknown. For this reason, we examined hemolymph samples of the red king [...] Read more.
The presence of vertebrate-related steroid sex hormones has been reported in both freshwater and marine crustaceans. However, despite the commercial importance of king crabs, many aspects of their endocrinology are still unknown. For this reason, we examined hemolymph samples of the red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus from the Barents Sea population for the presence of testosterone and 17β-estradiol using radioimmunoassay. The mean testosterone concentration was 0.46 ± 0.04 (range 0.08–1.39) ng mL–1, whereas the mean 17β-estradiol concentration was 1248.9 ± 91.4 (range 217.7–4100.1) pg mL–1. In general, the levels of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in red king crabs were higher than reported for the hemolymph of amphipods, crabs, and shrimps from warm and temperate waters, probably because the king crabs analyzed were larger and heavier than the other crustaceans. The concentrations of sex steroids did not differ significantly between males and females and between immature and mature red king crabs. Seasonal variations in the level of testosterone with the maximum value in the spawning period (May) indicate a potential role of the sex hormones in the maturation and reproduction processes of red king crab. Taking into account the slow growth rate in P. camtschaticus, our data could be useful not only for further physiological studies but also for the development of reliable techniques for red king crab aquaculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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16 pages, 2418 KiB  
Article
Genetic Estimates for Growth and Shape-Related Traits in the Flatfish Senegalese Sole
by Israel Guerrero-Cozar, Eduardo Jimenez-Fernandez, Concha Berbel, Elena Espinosa, Manuel Gonzalo Claros, Ricardo Zerolo and Manuel Manchado
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1206; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051206 - 22 Apr 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2497
Abstract
Shape quality is very important in flatfish aquaculture due to the impact on commercialization. The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a valuable flatfish with a highly elliptic body that slightly changes with age and size, and it is prone to accumulating [...] Read more.
Shape quality is very important in flatfish aquaculture due to the impact on commercialization. The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a valuable flatfish with a highly elliptic body that slightly changes with age and size, and it is prone to accumulating malformations during the production cycle. The present study aims to investigate the genetic parameters of two growth traits (weight and standard length) and six shape quality predictors (ellipticity, three body heights (body height at the pectoral fin base [BHP], body maximum height [BMH] and caudal peduncle height [CPH]) and two ratios (BMH/BHP and BMH/CPH)). These traits were measured before the on-growing stage (age ~400 days (d)) and at harvest (~800 d). Phenotypic data, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations between the traits are presented and discussed. High or very high heritabilities (0.433–0.774) were found for growth traits, body heights and ellipticity and they were higher at 400 than 800 d. In contrast, the ratios of BMH/BHP and BMH/CPH were less heritable (0.144–0.306). Positive and very high (>0.95) correlations between growth traits and the three heights were found and decreased with age. In contrast, ellipticity had negative and medium-high genetic correlations with growth traits and heights, indicating fish selected for bigger size would also become rounder. The ratio of BMH/CPH showed low genetic correlations with all traits and provided complementary information to ellipticity for a better fitting to the expected lanceolate body morphology of sole. The genetic correlations for all traits at both ages were very high, indicating that selection before entering the growth-out stage in recirculation aquaculture systems is recommended to accelerate genetic gains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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16 pages, 2795 KiB  
Article
Growth, Hemato-Biochemical Parameters, Body Composition, and Myostatin Gene Expression of Clarias gariepinus Fed by Replacing Fishmeal with Plant Protein
by Mohammed A. F. Nasr, Rasha M. Reda, Tamer Ahmed Ismail and Amira Moustafa
Animals 2021, 11(3), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030889 - 20 Mar 2021
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3729
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the consequences of replacement of fishmeal with plant protein sources (soybean and sunflower meal) on fish growth parameters, haemato-biochemical factors, body composition, and myostatin gene expression of Clarias gariepinus. A total of 150 C. gariepinus were organized [...] Read more.
In this study, we evaluated the consequences of replacement of fishmeal with plant protein sources (soybean and sunflower meal) on fish growth parameters, haemato-biochemical factors, body composition, and myostatin gene expression of Clarias gariepinus. A total of 150 C. gariepinus were organized in glass aquaria into five investigational groups, with each group in triplicate (30 fish/group; 10 fish/replicate). Group 1 was fed a control diet (15% fishmeal). The other groups were fed diets where fishmeal was replaced gradually with plant protein, with 10% fishmeal in the second group (D1), 7.5% fishmeal in the third group (D2), 5% fishmeal in the fourth group (D3), and 0% fishmeal in the fifth group (D4). There were no significant differences regarding growth performances and body composition among the groups, except that the feed conversion ratio was improved in D4. The different diet types did not affect hematologic parameters and blood indices. Serum growth hormone and amylase levels also revealed no significant (p = 0.09 and 0.55, respectively) differences among the groups, while serum lipase levels decreased significantly (p = 0.000) due to partial (D2) or complete (D4) substitution of fishmeal with plant protein. The replacement of fishmeal had no effects on liver (p = 0.51) and kidney functions (p = 0.34). However, D4 showed the best profit and economic efficiency compared to the other groups. Altogether, we concluded that substitution of fishmeal with plant protein sources is economically beneficial and may be without any adverse effects on growth parameters, body composition, or hematologic and biochemical parameters, but with the addition of synthetic amino acids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Animals: New Horizons for Blue Growth)
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