Complete mitochondrial genome of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea): The first representative from the subclass Aspidochirotacea with the echinoderm ground pattern

Complete mitochondrial genome plays an important role in the accurate revelation of phylogenetic relationships among metazoans. Here we present the complete mitochondrial genome sequence from a sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea), which is the first representative from the subclass Aspidochirotacea. The mitochondrial genome of A. japonicus is 16,096 bp in length. The heavy strand consists of 31.8% A, 20.2% C, 17.9% G, and 30.1% T bases (AT skew = 0.027: GC skew = 0.062). It contains thirteen protein-coding genes (PCGs), twenty-two transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes. There are a total of 3793 codons in all thirteen mitochondrial PCGs, excluding incomplete termination codons. The most frequently used amino acid is Leu (15.77%), followed by Set (9.73%), Met (8.62%), Phe (7.94%), and Ala (7.28%). Intergenetic regions in the mitochondrial genome of A. japonicus are 839 bp in total, with three relatively large regions of Unassigned Sequences (UAS) greater than 100 bp. The gene order of A. japonicus is identical to that observed in the five studied sea urchins, which confirms that the gene order shared by the two classes (Holothuroidea and Echinoidea) is a ground pattern of echinoderm mitochondrial genomes. Bayesian tree based on the cob gene supports the following relationship: (outgroup, (Crinoids, (Asteroids, Ophiuroids, (Echinoids, Holothuroids)))). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of animal pole protuberance and microtubules during meiosis in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus oocytes

Fully grown oocytes of Apostichopus japonicus have a cytoplasmic protuberance where the oocyte attaches to the follicle. The protuberance and the oolamina located on the opposite side of the oocyte indicate the animal-vegetal axis. Two pre-meiotic centrosomes are anchored to the protuberance by microtubules between centrosomes and protuberance. After meiosis reinitiation induced by DTT solution, the germinal vesicle (GV) migrates towards the protuberance. The GV breaks down after it migrates to the oocyte membrane on the protuberance side. The protuberance then contracts back into the oocyte and the first polar body extrudes from the site of the former protuberance. The second polar body forms beneath the first. Thus the oocyte protuberance indicates the presumptive animal pole well before maturation of the oocyte.

刺参Apostichopus japonicus生态免疫与夏眠的基础研究

针对目前刺参养殖过程中亟需解决的种质、环境和产品品质之间日益突出的矛盾，本论文从刺参的自身防御和内分泌机制入手，比较系统地研究了环境胁迫与细胞免疫和应激激素之间的作用机理；并从生理和分子的角度对刺参的夏眠机理进行了初步研究，主要研究成果如下： 1. 查阅国内外大量文献资料，较为系统地综述了海参的免疫体系、生态免疫学研究进展、当前夏眠机理的研究状况和刺参夏眠的基础研究。对刺参生态免疫及其夏眠机理研究提出了新的见解和思路。 2. 研究了温度(0、8、16、24、32℃)和盐度(20、25、35)的急性胁迫(72h)作用对刺参免疫指标的影响。刺参体腔液内几种免疫酶类活性受升温胁迫影响显著；而降温胁迫的影响并不显著。高盐胁迫可使刺参体腔液细胞吞噬活性、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性显著变化，而对髓过氧化物酶和溶菌酶活性都没有显著影响。从这几种免疫指标变化情况来看，温度胁迫对刺参的影响要强于盐度胁迫，且高温胁迫的影响要强于低温胁迫。 3. 研究了温度(8、16、24℃)、盐度(20、25、35)和露空等急性胁迫(24h)作用对刺参体腔液儿茶酚胺类激素含量的影响。急性温度胁迫能够显著影响刺参体腔液内肾上腺素、去甲肾上腺素和多巴胺的含量；而盐度和露空胁迫对刺参体腔液肾上腺素含量、去甲肾上腺素含量以及多巴胺含量都没有产生显著影响。 4. 完成了刺参体腔液几种酶类变化的周年测定(2006年7月到2007年6月)。一年内刺参体腔液内几种酶类变化的转折点为9月份，10月份，1月份，2月份，4月份和5月份。刺参体腔液内几种酶类活性变化与温度和盐度等环境因素并不存在简单的相关关系，因此推测这些显著变化并不是单一温度、盐度等因素作用的结果，还可能与刺参生长、繁殖及其它环境因素的作用有关。 5. 开展了夏眠期间刺参免疫指标的现场研究(2006年7月到11月)。在此期间刺参体腔液细胞总数显著下降；刺参体腔液内免疫相关酶类均在8月份、9月份达到最高值；肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素的含量均在8月下旬和11月下旬显著升高，而多巴胺含量则没有显著变化。刺参完全进入夏眠的8、9月份，体腔液内各项免疫指标也都具有显著变化，说明夏眠对刺参机体的免疫状态产生影响。 6. 探讨了刺参夏眠前后肠道基因表达的差异(2007年7月至12月)。抑制消减杂交实验结果表明接头连接效率大于50%，说明连接效率较高。消减效率分析结果表明，消减后进行cDNA保守序列扩增比未消减落后约10个循环才能明显看到扩增产物，说明对共同序列的消减效率比较高。利用抑制消减杂交技术成功构建了符合技术要求的夏眠刺参与未夏眠刺参肠道抑制消减杂交基因文库。

刺参Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)耐高温品系选育的基础研究

刺参是目前支撑我国海水增养殖业高效、稳定、持续发展的重要物种之一，但该产业面临着种质匮乏、病害严重、养殖环境局部恶化和产品品质难以保证等诸多问题。本文围绕刺参增养殖过程中的种质苗种问题，以培育耐高温品系为研究目标，在评价我国沿海不同地理群体刺参及其子一代在热刺激条件下HSP70基因mRNA表达差异的基础上，以低纬度地理群体为亲本，经温度刺激后比较了幼体及幼参的生长及HSP70 mRNA表达差异，获得了性状优良的耐高温群体。主要研究结果如下： 1、研究了我国沿海刺参不同地理群体在热激后HSP70基因mRNA的表达差异，比较了在不同温度下不同地理群体幼参的生长特性。青岛、日照和养殖等低纬度群体成参HSP70基因mRNA表达变化较大连、长岛等高纬度群体明显；热激后低纬度群体幼参HSP70基因mRNA表达量较高纬度群体高；高温条件下，高纬度群体子一代成活率低生长。温度升高对高纬度群体生长的影响较大。 2、利用荧光实时定量PCR检测了HSP70基因在不同组织、不同温度、不同时间mRNA水平的表达差异。刺参的各组织都有HSP70的mRNA表达，且对热刺激都有应答。自然水温12℃时，在＋12℃温度刺激时刺参的呼吸树中的HSP70 mRNA水平较高；刺参成参、幼参呼吸树中HSP70基因的mRNA水平在热激后6-12h达到最高；低温刺激后HSP70 mRNA下调表达。 3、分别从受精卵和初耳幼体开始在不同温度下进行幼体培育， 27℃以上温度培育的刺参幼体，其生长和成活率显著低于24℃以下温度培育的幼体；不同起始刺激阶段和不同温度都是显著影响因子。从初耳幼体进行高温培育，幼体的变态受到明显影响，26℃以上温度培育幼体的变态率显著低于24℃以下培育温度。 4、以日照刺参为亲本，在26℃培育温度下获得了耐高温群体幼参，并从生长、HSP70mRNA水平的表达差异与常温培育的群体（普通群体）进行了比较。耐高温群体幼参在较高温度下成活率和HSP70mRNA表达水平明显高于普通群体，而二者在特定生长率随温度变化上没有差异。 5、在浙江苍南进行了选择群体耐高温能力和生长验证实验。耐温群体的温度耐受能力提高了0.7℃，进入夏眠时间延后15d左右。耐温刺参群体的特定生长率和成活率在3月温度回升后远高于对照组。

刺参Apostichopus japonicus营养成分、食物来源及消化生理的季节变化

本文从消化生理学角度出发，研究了刺参营养成分、食物来源以及消化道结构与功能的季节变化，并对养殖水温对刺参消化道结构与功能的影响及与夏眠之间的关系进行了探讨。主要研究结果如下： 1.较为系统地评述了我国刺参增养殖业的现状及存在的问题；对海参的营养成分研究进行了综述和展望；对刺参的消化生理及其夏眠的研究进行了综述并提出了新见解和思路。 2.研究了刺参体壁营养成分的季节变化（2006年7月-2007年6月）。结果表明刺参体壁的基本营养成分及氨基酸、脂肪酸的含量具有显著的季节变化；氨基酸组成全面，平均氨基酸得分（AAS）在75.79-85.17之间，其中8月最高，1月最低；脂肪酸种类丰富，饱和脂肪酸（SFA）相对含量季节变化显著，8月份最高，1月份最低；单不饱和脂肪酸（MUFA）季节变化不显著；多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）相对含量具有明显的季节变化，其变化规律与SFA相反，8月份最低，1月份最高；综合分析表明刺参的营养价值在冬季的11月、1月最高。 3.用脂肪酸标志法分析了刺参食物来源组成情况及季节变化（2006年7月-2007年6月）。1月份刺参的主要食物来源是硅藻、鞭毛藻或原生动物、褐藻以及细菌（变形细菌和革兰氏阴性菌），3月份是硅藻、鞭毛藻或原生动物和大型绿藻。6月份大型绿藻在刺参的食物来源中占据较大比重。7月份细菌（噬纤维菌-黄杆菌类、革兰氏阳性菌）和大型绿藻的食物贡献较大。细菌（噬纤维菌-黄杆菌类、革兰氏阳性菌）在8、9月份的食物来源中占较大比重。褐藻和细菌（变形细菌和革兰氏阴性菌）在10、11月的食物贡献较大。 4.现场研究了刺参消化道和消化酶活性的季节变化（2006年6月到2007年6月）。结果表明：刺参的消化酶活性和消化道性状指标均有显著的季节变化。典型夏眠期的9月份，刺参的相对消化道重量（RGM）和Zihler’s 指数分别降低到全年最高值的8.2% 和28.0%。夏眠期间刺参的消化道指数与淀粉酶、脂肪酶、胰蛋白酶、纤维素酶、褐藻酸酶活性都很低，但胃蛋白酶活性很高，且远高于非夏眠期；分析表明Zihler’s指数可以反应刺参的食性，而相对RGM则可反应刺参的摄食状况。 5.研究了养殖水温（7°C、14°C、21°C、28°C，40天）对刺参消化道结构与功能的影响及与夏眠的关系。室内模拟研究结果表明7°C养殖水温下刺参的RGM最高；在7°C和14°C的养殖水温下，RGM没有显著变化。刺参在21°C下的第40天和28°C下的前20天进入夏眠前期，在28°C下的第30-40天进入夏眠期；在夏眠前期和夏眠期，刺参的RGM以及淀粉酶、脂肪酶和胰蛋白酶活性下降，而胃蛋白酶活性显著升高；分析表明高温和积温是引发刺参夏眠不可或缺的外界因素。

虾夷扇贝Patinopecten yessoensis (Jay)和仿刺参Apostichopus japonicus (Seienka)多倍体诱导研究

本文采用化学方法诱导了虾夷扇贝Patinopecten yessoensis (Jay)和仿刺参Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)的多倍体。采用6－二甲基氨基嘌呤（6－dimethylaminopurine）抑制虾夷扇贝极体释放，研究了诱导三倍体的实验条件、技术工艺以及三倍体虾夷扇贝幼虫的生长和培育方法。结果表明，使用6－二甲基氨基嘌呤（6－DMAP）可诱导17.3%-100.0%的三倍体虾夷扇贝面盘幼虫。筛选并优化了生产中操作简便、高效、成活率高的诱导条件，并研究出在扇贝三倍体诱导中批量获得受精卵、处理及培育的技术工艺，对扇贝三倍体的规模化诱导及培育等生产性应用具有较高的参考价值。报道了采用细胞松弛素B（cytochalasin B）、秋水仙素（colchicine）、6－DMAP以及咖啡因（coffeine）等药物抑制虾夷扇贝第一极体（PB_1）释放、PB_1和第二极体（PB_2）释放以及抑制第一次卵裂等方法诱导四倍体的结果。结果表明，CB、6－DMAP和秋水仙素抑制扇贝第一次有丝分裂诱发四倍体的比例低于25%，而采用CB抑制PB_1可有效地诱导产生四倍体，从授精后42min提前到15-22min开始处理，抑制PB_1的放出有助于提高四倍体的比例，在12 ℃，处理开始和终上时间分别在授精后20－22min和60－62min时，面盘幼虫四倍体率最高，为56.5%。对CB处理抑制受精卵PB_1释放的处理组胚胎的染色体分离状况进行了观察研究。对照组受精卵具有19条四分体染色体，经过减数分裂I期（meiosis I）和减数分裂II期（meiosis II），放出PB_1和PB_2，受精卵的发育具有不同步性。处理组受精卵在第二次减数分裂中出现了“三级分离“、“联合二级分离“和“独立二级分离“等特殊的分离类型，初步分析了CB抑制第一极体放出的机理。对三倍体虾夷扇贝的繁殖潜力和卵子的大小进行了观察研究，三倍体扇贝具一定的繁殖能力，三倍体雌贝平均产卵3.26 * 10~6个，而相同壳长二倍体贝为1.45 * 10~7，三倍体产卵量仅为二倍体产卵量的22.5%。三倍体卵子产出后，形状不规则，卵子平均直径为87.25μm，比二倍体大11.7%，卵子体积比二倍体大39.4%。利用CB抑制第一极体释放诱导了虾夷扇贝的四倍体，诱导率为41.5%。首次报道了仿刺参Apostichopus japanicus (Selenka)多倍体诱导的结果。采用紫外线照射的海水成功地使海参分别单独产卵、排精，从而准确地控制了海参的人工授精后处理的时间。采用0.2、0.4mg/L CB 抑制受精卵第一极体释放以及10、20、30和40mg/L 的6－DMAP 分别抑制PB_1、PB_2放出的方法诱导了仿刺参的多倍体。研究了诱导的药物浓度、处理时间以及处理开始时间等，同时对幼体的成活率等进行了探讨。结果表明，2种药物均可诱导仿刺参产生三倍体和四倍体，从效果上看，采用CB抑制PB_1诱导，到达小耳幼体时，可产生9.7%-21.3%的四倍体。6－DMAP抑制PB_2放出诱导三倍体，三倍体诱导率介于7.5%-25.8%之间。

Morphological and ultrastructural characterization of the coelomocytes in Apostichopus japonicus

The coelomocytes suspended in the coelomic fluid and occurring in the coelomic epithelial layer of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirota: Stichopodidae) function as mediators of the immune system, trephocytic cells and nutrient transport cells. Types of coelomocytes are characterized based on their morphological and ultrastructural features. Flow cytometry plus light and electron microscopic analyses were conducted in order to characterize the coelomocytes of A. japonicus. Six types of coelomocytes were identified: lymphocytes, morula cells, amoebocytes, crystal cells, fusiform cells and vibratile cells. Within these major categories, several distinctive cell types occurred that might represent developmental stages. The mean +/- SD coelomocyte concentration in the individuals (body length: 10 to 15 cm; weight: 100 to 150 g) was (3.79 +/- 0.65) X 10(6) cells ml(-1). The coelomic fluid contained mainly hyalinocytes (76.69%) and granulocytes (23.31 %).

Effects of body size and water temperature on food consumption and growth in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) with special reference to aestivation

To investigate the effects of body size and water temperature on feeding and growth in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), the maximum rate of food consumption in terms of energy (C-maxe; J day(-1)) and the specific growth rate in terms of energy (SGRe; % day(-1)) in animals of three body sizes (mean +/- SE) - large (134.0 +/- 3.5 g), medium (73.6 +/- 2.2 g) and small (36.5 +/- 1.2 g) - were determined at water temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C. Maximum rate of food consumption in terms of energy increased and SGRe decreased with increasing body weight at 10, 15 and 20 degrees C. This trend, however, was not apparent at 25 and 30 degrees C, which could be influenced by aestivation. High water temperatures (above 20 degrees C) were disadvantageous to feeding and growth of this animal; SGRe of A. japonicus during aestivation was negative. The optimum temperatures for food consumption and for growth were similar and were between 14 and 15 degrees C, and body size seemed to have a slight effect on the optimal temperature for food consumption or growth. Because aestivation of A. japonicus was temperature dependent, the present paper also documented the threshold temperatures to aestivation as indicated by feeding cessation. Deduced from daily food consumption of individuals, the threshold temperature to aestivation for large and medium animals (73.3-139.3 g) was 24.5-25.5 degrees C, while that for small animals (28.9-40.7 g) was between 25.5 and 30.5 degrees C. These values are higher than previous reports; differences in sign of aestivation, experimental condition and dwelling district of test animals could be the reasons.

Effect of water temperature on digestive enzyme activity and gut mass in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka), with special reference to aestivation

The effect of water temperature on gut mass and digestive enzyme activity in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus, including relative gut mass (RGM), amylase, lipase, pepsin and trypsin activities were studied at temperatures of 7, 14, 21, and 28A degrees C over a period of 40 days. Results show that RGM significantly decreased after 40 days at 21A degrees C and markedly decreased over the whole experiment period at 28A degrees C; however, no significant effect of duration was observed at 7 or 14A degrees C. At 14A degrees C, trypsin activity significantly decreased over 10 and 20 days, then increased; amylase and trypsin activity significantly decreased after 40 days at 28A degrees C. However, no significant effect of duration was found on amylase, pepsin or trypsin activities in the other temperature treatment groups. At 28A degrees C, lipase activity peaked in 20 days and then markedly decreased to a minimum at the end of the experiment. On the other hand, pepsin activity at 28A degrees C continuously increased over the whole experimental period. Principle component analysis showed that sea cucumbers on day 40 in the 21A degrees C group and in the previous 20 days in the 28A degrees C group were in the prophase of aestivation. At 28A degrees C, sea cucumbers aestivated at 30-40 days after the start of the experiment. It is concluded that the effect of temperature on the digestion of A. japonicus is comparatively weak within a specific range of water temperatures and aestivation behavior is accompanied by significant changes in RGM and digestive enzyme activities.

Bioenergetic responses of sub-adult sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) to temperature with special discussion regarding its southernmost distribution limit in China

1. This paper investigated the bioenergetic responses of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (wet weights of 36.5 +/- 1.2 g) to different water temperatures (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C) in the laboratory. 2. Results showed that theoretically the optimal temperatures for energy intake and scope for growth (SFG) of sub-adult A. japonicus was at 15.6 and 16.0 degrees C, respectively. The aestivation threshold temperature for this life-stage sea cucumber could be 29.0 degrees C by taking feeding cessation as the indication of aestivation. 3. Our data suggests that A. japonicus is thermo-sensitive to higher temperature, which prevents it from colonising sub-tropical coastal zones. Therefore, water temperature plays an important role in its southernmost distribution limit in China. 4. The potential impact of global ocean warming on A. japonicus might be a northward shift in the geographical distribution. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.

Phenotypic plasticity of gut structure and function during periods of inactivity in Apostichopus japonicus

Apostichopus japonicus is a common sea cucumber that undergoes seasonal inactivity phases and ceases feeding during the summer months. We used this sea cucumber species as a model in which to examine phenotypic plasticity of the digestive tract in response to food deprivation. We measured the body mass, gross gut morphology and digestive enzyme activities of A. japonicus before, during, and after the period of inactivity to examine the effects of food deprivation on the gut structure and function of this animal. Individuals were sampled semi-monthly from June to November (10 sampling intervals over 178 days) across temperature changes of more than 18 degrees C. On 5 September, which represented the peak of inactivity and lack of feeding, A. japonicus decreased its body mass, gut mass and gut length by 50%, 85%, and 70%, respectively, in comparison to values for these parameters preceding the inactive period. The activities of amylase, cellulase and lipase decreased by 77%, 98%, and 35% respectively, in comparison to mean values for these enzymes in June, whereas pepsin activity increased two-fold (luring the inactive phase. Alginase and trypsin activities were variable and did not change significantly across the 178-day experiment. With the exception of amylase and cellulase, all body size indices and digestive enzyme activities recovered and even surpassed the mean values preceding the inactive phase during the latter part of the experiment (October-November). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) utilizing the digestive enzyme activity and body size index data divided the physiological state of this cucumber into four phases: an active stage, prophase of inactivity peak inactivity, and a reversion phase. These phases are all consistent with previously suggested life stages for this species, but our data provide more defined characteristics of each phase. A. japonicus clearly exhibits phenotypic plasticity (or life-cycle staging) of the digestive tract during its annual inactive period. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of acute temperature or salinity stress on the immune response in sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus

Invertebrates are increasingly raised in mariculture, where it is important to monitor immune function and to minimize stresses that could suppress immunity. The activities of phagocytosis, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxiclase (MPO), and lysozyme (LSZ) were measured to evaluate the immune capacities of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, to acute temperature changes (from 12 degrees C to 0 degrees C, 8 degrees C, 16 degrees C, 24 degrees C, and 32 degrees C for 72 h) and salinity changes (from 30 parts per thousand to 20 parts per thousand, 25 parts per thousand, and 35 parts per thousand for 72 h) in the laboratory. Phagocytosis was significantly affected by temperature increases in 3 h, and by salinity (25 parts per thousand and 35 parts per thousand) changes in 1 h. SOD activities decreased significantly in 0.5 h to 6 h samples at 24 degrees C. At 32 degrees C, SOD activities decreased significantly in 0.5 h and 1 h exposures, and obviously increased for 12 h exposure. CAT activities decreased significantly at 24 degrees C for 0.5 h exposure, and increased significantly at 32 degrees C in 3 h to 12 h exposures. Activities of MPO increased significantly at 0 degrees C in 0.5 h to 6 In exposures and at 8 degrees C for 1 h. By contrast, activities of MPO decreased significantly in 24 degrees C and 32 degrees C treatments. In elevated-temperature treatments, activities of LSZ increased significantly except at 32 degrees C for 6 h to 12 h exposures. SOD activity was significantly affected by salinity change. CAT activity decreased significantly after only 1 h exposure to salinity of 20 parts per thousand.. Activities of MPO and LSZ showed that A. japonicus tolerates limited salinity stress. High-temperature stress had a much greater effect on the immune capacities of A. japonicus than did low-temperature and salinity stresses. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Immune condition of Apostichopus japonicus during aestivation

Aestivation is an indispensable state in the life history of sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus. The immune characteristics of the coelomic fluid of A. japonicus, were investigated during aestivation. Samples were collected between July and November 2006 from a coastal pond located off the Yellow Sea in Jiaonan, Shandong Province, China. The total coelomocytes counts (TCC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lysozyme (IZM) in the coelomic fluid were measured. The activities of catecholamines, [adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine (DOP)] were estimated. TCC decreased from July to September, indicating weakness of the cellular immune activity at that time. Activities of SOD, CAT, MPO, and LZM changed significantly from July to October. Catecholamines AD and NA in coelomic fluid were significantly higher on August 21 and November 27. There was no significant variation in DOP during the sampling period. Thus, immune characters in coelomic fluid of A. japonicus changed significantly during aestivation. Water temperature was significantly and negatively correlated with TCC, and salinity was significantly and positively correlated with AD and NA. The mechanism of aestivation in A. japonicus is complex and might not be attributed only to environmental changes, such as temperature and salinity, as shown in previous studies. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of rearing temperature and density on growth, survival and development of sea cucumber larvae, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

In laboratory conditions, effects of rearing temperature and stocking density were examined on hatching of fertilized egg and growth of auricularia larvae of Apostichopus japonicus respectively. Data series like larval length and density, metamorphic time, and survival rate of the larvae were recorded. Statistics showed that for A. japonicus, survival rate (from fertilized egg to late auricularia) decreased significantly with the increasing rearing temperature (P < 0.05). At different temperatures SGR was statistically significant as well (P < 0.05) from day 1, and maximal SGR was found on day 9 at 24A degrees C (159.26 +/- 3.28). This study clearly indicated that at low temperature (< 24A degrees C), metamorphic rate was remarkably higher than at higher temperature (> 26A degrees C). Hatching rate was significantly different between 0.2-5 ind./ml groups and 20-50 ind./ml groups. Rearing larvae at the higher density had the smaller maximal-length, whereas needed longer time to complete metamorphosis. This study suggested that 21A degrees C and 0.4 ind./ml can be used as the most suitable rearing temperature and stocking density for large -scale artificial breeding of A. japonicus's larvae.

Effects of salinity on energy budget in pond-cultured sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

Pond farming for sea cucumber has developed rapidly along the northern coast of China in the recent years. Holothurians inhabiting ponds undergo seasonal fluctuations of salinity. This study deals with the bioenergetic responses of pond-cultured sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus (wet weight of 37.5 +/- 1.8 g) to different water salinities [22, 27, 31.5, and 36 practical salinity units (psu)] at 15 degrees C in the laboratory to determine the influence of water salinity on growth and energy allocation in this species. Results show that ingested energy and scope for growth (SFG) were highest at 31.5 psu and then decreased when water salinity was below or above this point. Although energy ingested was lowest at 36 psu, the lowest SFG occurred at 22 psu (only 102.68 +/- 14.26 J g(-1) d(-1)) because animals reared at 22 psu spent much more consumed energy on feces (72.19%), respiration (21.70%), and excretion (2.59%), leaving less energy for growth (3.52%). Results suggest that pond-cultured sea cucumbers could tolerate chronic salinity fluctuations at a range of 22 to 36 psu and grew better between 27 and 31.5 psu, but decreased at salinities above and below the mentioned salinity range. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.