Signaling Events During Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate-Regulated Pigment Aggregation in Freshwater Shrimp Chromatophores

Crustacean color change results partly from granule aggregation induced by red pigment concentrating hormone (RPCH). In shrimp chromatophores, both the cyclic GMP (3', 5'-guanosine monophosphate) and Ca2+ cascades mediate pigment aggregation. However, the signaling elements upstream and downstream from cGMP synthesis by GC-S (cytosolic guanylyl cyclase) remain obscure. We investigate post-RPCH binding events in perfused red ovarian chromatophores to disclose the steps modulating cGMP concentration, which regulates granule translocation. The inhibition of calcium/calmodulin complex (Ca2+/CaM) by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulphonamide (W7) induces spontaneous aggregation but inhibits RPCH-triggered aggregation, suggesting a role in pigment aggregation and dispersion. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition by N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) strongly diminishes RPCH-induced aggregation; protein kinase G inhibition (by rp-cGMPs-triethylamine) reduces RPCH-triggered aggregation and provokes spontaneous dispersion, disclosing NO/PKG participation in aggregation signaling. Myosin light chain phosphatase inhibition (by cantharidin) accelerates RPCH-triggered aggregation, whereas Rho-associated protein kinase inhibition (by Y-27632, H-11522) reduces RPCH-induced aggregation and accelerates dispersion. MLCP (myosin light chain kinase) and ROCK (Rho-associated protein kinase) may antagonistically regulate myosin light chain (MLC) dephosphorylation/phosphorylation during pigment dispersion/aggregation. We propose the following general hypothesis for the cGMP/Ca2+ cascades that regulate pigment aggregation in crustacean chromatophores: RPCH binding increases Ca2+ (int), activating the Ca2+/CaM complex, releasing NOS-produced nitric oxide, and causing GC-S to synthesize cGMP that activates PKG, which phosphorylates an MLC activation site. Myosin motor activity is initiated by phosphorylation of an MLC regulatory site by ROCK activity and terminated by MLCP-mediated dephosphorylation. Qualitative comparison reveals that this signaling pathway is conserved in vertebrate and invertebrate chromatophores alike.

Alien shrimps in evidence: new records of the genus Athanas Leach, 1814 on the coast of So Paulo, southern Brazil (Caridea: Alpheidae)

The occurrence of two alien alpheid shrimps of the genus Athanas Leach, 1814 [in Leach 1813-1814], the Indo-West Pacific A. dimorphus Ortmann, 1894 and the Eastern Atlantic A. nitescens (Leach, 1813 [in Leach 1813-1814]), on the coast of the state of So Paulo, Brazil, is reported. The presence of A. dimorphus extends the range of this species in the western Atlantic farther to the south in Brazil, whereas A. nitescens is reported for the first time in the western Atlantic, representing the second alien alpheid species on this side of the Atlantic and the twenty-first decapod crustacean introduced in Brazil. We provide morphological accounts of the material examined and illustrate the most important diagnostic characters of both species. An overview of the possible mechanisms of their introduction on the coast of So Paulo is also provided.

Is shell partitioning between the hermit crabs Pagurus brevidactylus and Pagurus criniticornis explained by interference and/or exploitation competition?

The effect of crab behaviour on shell-use dynamics was analysed, comparing both interference and exploitation behaviours between the hermit crabs Pagurus criniticornis and Pagurus brevidactylus. Although these species exhibited microhabitat separation, with P. criniticornis dominating (100%) in sandy substrates and P. brevidactylus (80%) on rocky shores, they overlapped in the rocky shore/sand interface (P. criniticornis, 53%; P. brevidactylus, 43%). Pagurus criniticornis occupied shells of Cerithium atratum in higher frequencies (84%) than P. brevidactylus (37%), which was hypothesized to be a consequence of competitive interactions combined with their ability to acquire and/or retain this resource. The species P. criniticornis was attracted in larger numbers to simulated gastropod predation events than was P. brevidactylus, which, on the few occasions that it moved before P. criniticornis, tended to be attracted more rapidly. Interspecific shell exchanges between these species were few, suggesting the absence of dominance relationships. The shell-use pattern in this species pair is thus defined by exploitation competition, which is presumed to be intensified in areas of microsympatry. These results differ from other studies, which found that interference competition through interspecific exchanges shapes shell use, indicating that shell partitioning in hermit crabs is dependent on the behaviour of the species involved in the contests.

Hermit crabs as bioindicators of recent tributyltin (TBT) contamination

Evaluation of the assimilation pathway and depuration time of a given pollutant by aquatic species is important to understand the dynamics of this substance in the biota, and to search for potential ecological indicators. In the present study, the uptake pathway and depuration time and rate of the pollutant tributyltin (TBT) were investigated in the omnivorous hermit crab (Clibanarius vittatus). The assimilation and uptake pathway were investigated using hermit crabs collected in an area free of TBT. The crabs were held in the laboratory for 45 days, under one of four treatments: procedural control (PC) - water and food without TBT; T1 - water with and food without TBT; 12 - water without and food with Tiff; and 13 water and food with TBT. To determine the depuration time, the crabs were collected in a contaminated area, maintained in the laboratory with clean water, and removed every 15 days for 120 days. The concentrations of TBT and DBT (dibutyltin) were determined by chromatographic analysis. The TBT was taken up by the crabs mainly via food, and the presence of DBT in crab tissues was hypothesized to result from internal TBT degradation. TBT (as well as DBT) was depurated rapidly by C. vittatus. After approximately 30 days, the initial concentration of 111 +/- 36 ng Sn g(-1) w. w. decreased to 3 +/- 3 ng Sn g(-1) w. w., and after 75 days the TBT concentration was below the detection limit. The same pattern was recorded for DBT, which showed a higher deputation rate than TBT. The rapid TBT and DBT deputation is useful information, since C. vittatus and possibly other hermit crabs may be used as indicators of recent or recycled environmental contamination.

Composition and Seasonal Variation of Brachyura and Anomura (Crustacea, Decapoda) Associated with Brown Mussel Farms at Praia da Cocanha, Brazil

The composition and seasonal variation of brachyuran and anomuran species associated with mussel farms were evaluated at Praia da Cocanha, Sao Paulo between May 2007 and February 2008. Nine mussel ropes were sampled at random in each quarter, and 1,208 organisms were identified, comprising five families and 28 species. The most numerous species was the porcellanid Pachycheles laevidactylus (18.5%), followed by the xanthids Acantholobulus schmitti (16.6%), Hexapanopeus paulensis (11.3%), Panopeus americanus (10.2%), and Menippe nodifrons (8.4%). The exotic crab Charybdis hellerii was recorded throughout the study period. The ecological descriptors, except Pielou evenness index, varied significantly over the time. The highest abundance and diversity of the species were recorded during November and February. This pattern was reversed for Berger-Parker dominance, with the lowest values recorded in February. The development of epifauna was correlated with the different stages of the mussel farms, since the mean size of mussels and consequently the abundance of epibiotic organisms and the structural complexity on the mussel ropes increased from May (seeding) until February (harvest). Despite this, the temporal population variations in recruitment patterns of the different epibionts should not be overlooked. The results indicated that the mussel farms provided favorable conditions for the development of these crustacean groups, which could be used in environmental monitoring programs and / or be exploited for the aquarium trade.

Tributyltin in crustacean tissues: analytical performance and validation of method

The hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus is a typical organism from intertidal regions being considered as a good bioindicator of tributyltin presence at these environments. Thus this study presents the analytical performance and validation method for TBT quantification in tissues of C. vittatus by gas chromatography with pulsed flame photometric detector (GC-PFPD) after extraction with an apolar solvent (toluene) and Grignard derivatization. The limits of detection of the method (LOD) were 2.0 and 2.8 ng g-1 for TBT and DBT (dibutyltin), respectively, and its limits of quantification (LOQ) were 6.6 and 8.9 ng g-1 for TBT and DBT, respectively. The method was applied to samples from Santos Estuary, São Paulo State, Brazil. TBT and DBT concentrations ranged from 26.7 to 175.0 ng g-1 and from 46.2 to 156.0 ng g-1, respectively. These concentrations are worrisome since toxic effects (such as endocrine disruption) have been reported for other organisms even under lower levels of registred at this study.

Composition and seasonal variation of brachyura and anomura (Crustacea, Decapoda) associated with brown mussel farms at Praia da Cocanha, Brazil

The composition and seasonal variation of brachyuran and anomuran species associated with mussel farms were evaluated at Praia da Cocanha, São Paulo between May 2007 and February 2008. Nine mussel ropes were sampled at random in each quarter, and 1,208 organisms were identified, comprising five families and 28 species. The most numerous species was the porcellanid Pachycheles laevidactylus (18.5%), followed by the xanthids Acantholobulus schmitti (16.6%), Hexapanopeus paulensis (11.3%), Panopeus americanus (10.2%), and Menippe nodifrons (8.4%). The exotic crab Charybdis hellerii was recorded throughout the study period. The ecological descriptors, except Pielou evenness index, varied significantly over the time. The highest abundance and diversity of the species were recorded during November and February. This pattern was reversed for Berger-Parker dominance, with the lowest values recorded in February. The development of epifauna was correlated with the different stages of the mussel farms, since the mean size of mussels and consequently the abundance of epibiotic organisms and the structural complexity on the mussel ropes increased from May (seeding) until February (harvest). Despite this, the temporal population variations in recruitment patterns of the different epibionts should not be overlooked. The results indicated that the mussel farms provided favorable conditions for the development of these crustacean groups, which could be used in environmental monitoring programs and / or be exploited for the aquarium trade.

Brazilian sandy beach macrofauna production: a review

The state of the art of the studies on the production of Brazilian sandy beach macrofauna was analyzed on the basis of the data available in the literature. For this purpose, the representativeness of the production dataset was examined by latitudinal distribution, degree of exposure and morphodynamic state of beaches, taxonomic groups, and methods employed. A descriptive analysis was, further, made to investigate the trends in production of the more representative taxonomic groups and species of sandy beach macrofauna. A total of 69 macrofauna annual production estimates were obtained for 38 populations from 25 studies carried out between 22º56'S and 32º20'S. Production estimates were restricted to populations on beaches located on the southern and southeastern Brazilian coast. Most of the populations in the dataset inhabit exposed dissipative sandy beaches and are mainly represented by mollusks and crustaceans, with a smaller number of polychaetes. The trends in production among taxonomic groups follow a similar pattern to that observed on beaches throughout the world, with high values for bivalves and decapods. The high turnover rate (P/B ratio) of the latter was due to the presence of several populations of the mole crab Emerita brasiliensis, which can attain high values of productivity, in the dataset. Most of the studies focus on the comparison of production and, especially, of P/B ratio according to life history traits in populations of the same species/taxonomic group. Despite the importance of life history-production studies, other approaches, such as the effect of man-induce disturbances on the macrofauna, should be undertaken in these threatened environments.

Movilidad del cangrejo ermitaño Clibanarius aequabilis (Decapada: Anomura) en función de la temperatura

[ES] Se describe el efecto de la temperatura en la movilidad (medida como distancia recorrida) del cangrejo ermitaño Clibanarius aequabilis. Se observa que el nivel de movilidad aumenta a medida que la temperatura pasa de 18 ºC a 20 ºC, pero desciende cuando la temperatura se incrementa hasta los 22 ºC.

Growth and fatty acid composition of Octopus vulgaris fed different diets based on bogue (Boops boops) in comparison to wild individuals

[EN] Octopus vulgaris is a suitable candidate to diversify marine aquaculture (Iglesias et al., 2000; Vaz Pires et al. 2004). Actually, wild sub-adults are on-growing in floating cages showing promising results (Chapela et al., 2006; Rodríguez et al., 2006). Even though octopus industrial development is still limited, mainly associated to the dependence of wild catch individuals for ongrowing (Iglesias et al., 2007) and a lack of an appropriate formulated diet (García García and Cerezo, 2006). In addition, essential macronutrient requirements for this species are still not well known. Used of discarded bogue as single food for Octopus on-growth results in similar growth than co-fed diets with the crab (Portunus pelagic). FA content of Muscle and DG showed important ARA content, suggesting the important functions of this FA in this specie.

Efecto de la inclusión de harinas de cangrejo de diferente origen en piensos para bocinegro (Pagrus pagrus) sobre la textura, oxidación y composición del filete

[EN]The inclusion of two different crab meals in diets on fillet quality parameters was investigated in a six month growth trial with red porgy (Pagus pagrus). A high quality fish meal and fish oil diet was used as a control (Diet C). Fish meal protein in the control diet was replaced by increasing levels of protein from a river crab meal (Procamburus clarkii) (CR) and a marine crab meal (Chaceon affinis) (CM) at 10% and 20% each of them. The inclusion of both crab meals in diets, either at 10% and 20% substitution levels, did not affect the texture quality parameters of flesh except for the adhesiveness, where animal fed on CR20 showed the smallest value respect to those fed the Diet C. Compared to the control fish, a reduction of the fillet lipid oxidation indicated by the Tbars index was observed for fish fed both crab meal based diets, at the higher inclusion level (20%). Increasing dietary levels of the marine crab meal showed an increment of the monoenoicos, n-9 and oleic fatty acid content in the fillets. Results indicate that both crab meals used in present study are suitable as alternative ingredients for red porgy diets in terms of fish flesh quality.

Engorde de pulpo común Octopus vulgaris en jaulas en la comunidad Canaria [Material gráfico] [Recurso electrónico] : efecto de la dieta y la densidad inicial

Octopus vulgaris on-growing in floating cages is a promising activity implemented in Spain at industrial level, with productions of 16-32 tons/year from 1998. Nevertheless, some aspects of the culture system need to be evaluated to warrantee its profitability. In the present work absolute growth rate (AGR, g/day) and mortality (%) under two initial rearing densities, 10 and 17 kg/m3, were compared under two feeding regimes over 15 weeks. One diet was composed by bogue, supplied as ?discarded? species from local fish farms. The other diet was based on a 40-60% discarded bogue-crab Portunus pelagicus. Half of the reared octopuses were PIT-tagged and two sampling points were established along the experimental period. Regardless of dietary treatment, up to the 11th week, growth was 19 and 13 g./day for the low and high rearing density. On the other hand, up to the 11th week mortality was higher in the control diet fed group (30%), reaching 74-84% by the end of the experiment regardless of rearing density and dietary treatment, which could suggest some nutritional imbalance of the tested diets.

Pre-engorde de pulpo común Octopus vulgaris con 3 dietas basadas en descartes de acuicultura en la comunidad Canaria

On-growing of Octopus vulgaris fed different feeds has shown promising results. Nevertheless, since the minimum legal size for octopus fisheries in spain i sin most of experimental ongrowing of this species an average weight over 750-1000kg was utilized with g (and little research has been conducted in order to evaluate the effect of these diets on smaller individuals. The present work evaluates the effect of 3 diets based on bogue, obtained as ?discarded? species from local fish farms, on ingestion and growth of O. vulgaris weighing 400 g. The 1st diet was composed by discarded bogue, the 2nd diet by a 40-60% discarded bogue-crab Portunus pelagicus and the 3rd diet was presented as a moist diet based on discarded bogue. A triplicate of four octopuses per treatments, male:female 1:1, were kept in circular 400 l tanks and fed each diet for 4 weeks. Absolute growth rate (AGR, g./day), standard feeding rate (SFR, %/day) and feed efficiency (FE) were calculated. The addition of crab to the diet increased SFR which underlines different feeding habits when compared with 0.8-1 kg octopuses. Lower growth and higher FE was recorded with the moist diet, probably due to high disintegration of this kind of feed.

Evaluación de 2 sistemas de cultivo en pulpos macho Octopus vulgaris: efecto de la talla inicial y de la dieta

[EN]Octopus vulgaris on-growing in floating cages has shown promising results. Nevertheless, some aspects of the culture system need to be evaluated to warrantee its profitability. In the present work individual and group rearing, in PVC net compartments and floating cages respectively, are compared under two dietary treatments. One diet is composed by bogue, supplied as ?discarded? species from local fish farms, and the other is based on a 40-60% discarded bogue-crab Portunus pelagicus. Besides, the effect of initial size is also evaluated. All octopuses were PIT-tagged and the experiment lasted 2 months. Absolute growth rate (AGR, g./day) and mortality (%) were calculated. Control diet generated higher growth rates and lower mortality which suggests different crab requirements at higher rearing temperatures. High mortality recorded in individual rearing could be related with high initial rearing density and temperatures.

Evaluación de 2 sistemas de cultivo en pulpo común Octopus vulgaris en jaulas en la comunidad Canaria

Octopus vulgaris on-growing in floating cages is a promising activity implemented in Spain at industrial level, with productions of 16-32 tons/year from 1998. Nevertheless, some aspects of the culture system need to be evaluated to warrantee its profitability. In the present study two rearing systems and two dietary treatments were evaluated. Individual and group rearing, in PVC net compartments and floating cages respectively, were compared under two dietary treatments. One diet was composed by bogue, supplied as ?discarded? species from local fish farms, and the other was based on a 40-60% discarded bogue-crab Portunus pelagicus. All octopuses were PIT-tagged and the experiment lasted two months. Animals were sampled once throughout the experimental period and absolute growth rate (AGR, g./day) and mortality (%) were calculated. AGR of group rearing was above 30 g./day, however individual rearing showed 100% survival so biomass increment was higher. On the other hand, males grew more than females regardless of dietary treatment.