Studies on the evaluation of different sources of proteins, carbohydrates and mineral requirements for juvenile penaeid prawn Penaeus Indicus H. Milne Edwards

In India, directed research on penaeid prawn nutrition was taken up only recently when the aquaculture of prawns gained momentum. One of the important penaeid prawns sought for culture and has great potential is Penagus indiggs, H.Milne Edwards. The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute working on different aspects of culture of this species over the past one and half decades, has developed a hatchery technology for mass production of its seed and has suggested several improvements on its farming in the grow-out systems. One of the areas of active research in this direction has been on the nutrition of the species with a view to develop suitable feed not only for hatchery production of seed, but also in the field culture. As part of this investigation, the present study, on the evaluation of different protein and carbohydrate sources and mineral requirements for the juvenile E, indicus was taken up and the results obtained are embodied in the thesis

Population Genetic Structure of the Marine Penaeid Prawn- Penaeus Indicus H. Milne Edwards 1837

The thesis contains the results of an investigation on the " Population Genetic Structure of the Penaeus indicus " from southeast and southwest coasts of India. The P.indicus, popularly known as the Indian white prawn, is distributed widely in the Indo-Pacific, starting from New South wales in Australia in the east to the east coast of Africa in the west. Its heavy demand in the export market, the species has been exploited intensively from all along its areas of distribution in Indian waters. The population genetic characteristics of the species were examined by three independent but complementary techniques, namely, morphometrics (truss network), biochemical genetics (isozyme electrophoresis ) and molecular genetics (RFLP and RAPD). The east and west coast populations of the species may be genetically different. Due to certain constraints, the results obtained from the studies of restriction fragment length 70 polymorphism (RFLP) were limited. The significant difference in the number of bands in the sample populations strongly suggests that these two populations have considerably different population genetic structures

Genetic Studies of the Marine Penaeid Prawn, Penaeus Monodon Fabricius, 1798

The thesis deals with the results of the study of the population characteristics of the marine penaeid prawn, Penaeus monodon from South India. The present findings on the morphometric and biochemical genetic structure support the hypothesis that the populations of P.monodon of South India have homogeneous stock structure. To the contrary, the significantly different random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles in samples of Kochi and Chennai support the hypothesis that east and west cost populations of P.monodon are separate stocks.

Marine yeasts as source of single cell protein and immunostimulant for application in penaeid prawn culture systems

The study revealed the potential of marine yeasts as a source of single cell protein and immunostimulant for prawns. Prawns fed with the selected marine yeasts were showing more growth compared to the control feed and commercial feed. Yeasts being rich with proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates serve as a growth promoter for prawns as being evidenced in this study. The better performance of marine yeasts, D. hansenii S8 and S100 and C. tropicalis S186 compared to S. cerevisiae S36 as a feed supplement is worth investigating. Besides being a rich nutritional source, yeasts act as immunostimulants by virtue of its high carbohydrate (Beta, 1-3 glucan) and RNA content. Beta, 1-3 glucan, a cell wall component of yeasts /fungi is the most commonly used immunostimulant in aquaculture. The present study shows that even the whole cell yeast could serve as a good immunostimulant when supplied through diet. Extraction of Beta-1,3 glucan results in the removal of nutrients like proteins, vitamins etc. from the cell biomass.Utilization of the yeast biomass as such in the diet would help perform a dual role as nutritional component and immunostimulant for aquaculture applications.

Marine Actinomycetes as Source of Antimicrobial Compounds and as Probiotics and Single Cell Protein for Application in Penaeid Prawn Culture Systems

This thesis Entitled Marine actinomycetes as source of antimicrobial compounds and as probiotics and single cell protein for application in penaeid peawn culture systems. Ocean harbours more than 80% of all life on earth and remains our greatest untapped natural resource. The study revealed the potential of marine actinomycetes as a source of antimicrobial compounds. The selected streptomycetes were found to be capable of inhibiting most of the pathogenic vibrios, whichis a major problem both in hatcheries and grow out systems. The bioactive principle can be incorporated with commercial feeds and applied as medicated diet for the control of vibrios in culture systems.The hydrolytic potential inhibitory property against pathogens and non—pathogenicity to penaeid prawns make the selected Streptomycesspp.an effective probioic in aquaculture. Since there is considerably less inhibition to the natural in pond ecosystem the microbial diversityis being maintained and thereby the water quality. Actinomycetes was found to be a good source of single cell protein as an ingredient inaquaculture feed formulations. Large amount of mycelial waste (actinomycete biomassO is produced from antibiotic industries and this nutrient rich waste can be effectively used as a protein source in aquaculture feeds.This study reveals the importance of marine actinomycetes as a source of antimicrobial compounds and as a probiotic and single cell protein for aquaculture applications.

Studies on the reproductive endocrinology of the penaeid prawn, Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edward

The present investigation has been carried out to understand the process and events leading to maturation of the ovary and testis in the Indian white prawn Penaeus indicus. The study includes the classification of the ovarian maturity stages based on its colour, gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter and morphological changes in the oocyte. Further the process of oogenesis has been investigated using light and electron microscopic techniques. A histochemical study of the ovary has also been carried out to determine the sequence in which yolk substances are synthesized or sequestered in the oocytes and also to elicit the nature of the penaeid yolk material. The process of spermatogenesis and the development of the spermatophore has been studied in detail using light and electron microscopic methods. In addition a brief histochemical study on the testis was also made to understand the nature of the organic reserves in the sperm cells.

Studies on osmoregulation in the penaeid prawn Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers)

Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers) is the most abundant species along the coast of Kerala. It is cultured extensively by adoption of traditional farming practices. The geographical location and water source determines the seasonal and annual environmental fluctuations the prawn farming systems experiences. The life cycle of the shrimp includes its migration to the coastal deeper waters for spawning and the immigration of larvae to the estuaries for growth. The survival of the species in such complex ecosystems is thus critical to its life cycle. The animal adapts itself to different environments through a physiological process known as osmoregulation. The present study on osmoregulation in the penaeid prawn Metapenaeus dobsoni was thus undertaken to understand the mechanism adopted by this species to survive in different environments. A number of experimental work have been conducted to understand the effect of salinity on the internal variations. However the effect of the complex environmental conditions as existent in nature on the osmotic variations in this species has not been dealt with in any of the earlier studies.

Studies on the physiology of moulting in the penaeid prawn, penaeius indicius h. Milne edwards

Penaeid prawns form the most economically significant group in the marine and brackishwater fishery resources of India. This particular group contributes about 62% of the total prawn landings of the country. At present prawns have assumed an important place especially as a commodity supporting an export trade of sizable magnitude. Considerable interest has been shown in the last decade to increase prawn production through various culture practices, mainly due to the high demand for good quality prawns for export coupled with the stagnant and even depleting nature of marine catches. Available informations suggest that among the 15 species of shrimps and prawns occurring in Indian waters, which are deemed suitable for aquaculture, the Indian white prawn §.indicus is identified as one of the most important commercial species. Considering the increasing importance as an accepted species for prawn culture, £.indicus was selected for the present study. In the life history of prawns, moulting is an important event, which enables the animal to achieve growth. This dynamic physiological event continues through out the life span ofthe prawn, linking almost all biological activities with this process. Hence, a good knowledge pertaining to the physiology of moulting is imperative to understand the growth process. This knowledge will be of great use in the scientific prawn farming, so as to achieve high prawn production.

Pathological Investigations in penaeid Prawns

The thesis embodies the results of the studies carried out on certain diseases affecting the commercially important penaeid prawns in the capture and culture fisheries of the southwest and southeast coasts of india during october, 1981 to april 1985.initially a survey is conducted to obtain information and to understand the commom diseases and abnormalities occurring in the penaeid prawms in nature and those farmed. A result of the survey then cases of diseases and abnormalities are reported. These include tumour like growth soft prawm syndrome, tail necrosis brown spot disease, red rostrum, ciliate infestation ,helminth parasitisation,metacercarial infestation and bopyrid infestation in the penaeid prawns such as penaeus indicus p. monodon , p. semisulcatus ,Metapenaeus dobsoni and m.affinis.The symptoms ,occurrence and incidence of each of the above cases are provided along with the information on environmental factors such as salinity,dissolved oxygen,temperature and ph of the water from the collection sites. The nature of the disease,the tissuse of the host that are affected by the infection or infestation or by the pathogen ,and the actors influencing the infection in each of the ten cases are studied histopathologically and discussed. In the light of the available published information, the control measures for the different diseases of penaeid prawns are presented and discussed.

Studies in the effects of hydrogen sulphide on the penaeid prawns of Kayamkulam lake, Southwest coast of India

The work presented in this thesis is centered mainly around delineating the toxic effect of hydrogen sulphide on penaeid prawns and understand its influence on the ecology of estuary. The present investigation also involved characterization of the effects of hydrogen sulphide on the growth and behavioural responses of Penaeus indicus. The test animals employed during the present study namely indicus and Metapenaeus dobsoni are both ecologically and economically relevant. The thesis embodying the details of the investigation has been organized into three chapters comprising Acute toxicity, influence of hydrogen sulphide on the ecology of estuary and effect of hydrogen sulphide on growth and substratum selectivity of penaeid prawn. Each chapter has been partioned into various sections as Introduction, Material and Methods, Results and Discussion for a lucid presentation of the subject matter.

Biology, population characteristics and fishery of the speckled shrimp Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798) along the Kerala coast

Crustaceans comprising numerous edible species of prawns, lobsters and crabs inhabiting different ecosystem form significant portion of the aquatic food resources of the world. Among the crustaceans, prawns are the most commercially exploited group and hold premier rank by virtue of their importance as an esteemed food of gourmet and on account of their high export value. Met-ape-naeus manoceras (Fabricius, 1798) which is known IS,Speckled shrimp’ (FAD name) and ‘Brown shrimp’ ( common nameused in the industry) is one of the commercially important marine penaeid prawns of India. During 1995, M. monaceros catch constituted 7.5 Z of the all India marine penaeid prawn landings. M. monoceros attains a maximum length of about 200 mm and has high export potential.Thus realising the growing importance of M. monoceros in the capture fisheries, it was felt, that it would be ideal to carry out detailed study on this species for rational exploitation and management of its fishery. Hence, the present work entitled, “Biology, population characteristics and fishery of the speckled shrimp Hetapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius, 1798) along Kerala coast“ was undertaken by the author. The thesis is laid out in seven chapters comprising TAXONOMY, FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS, AGE AND GROWTH, REPRODUCTION,LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP, FISHERY and POPULATION DYNAMICS

Studies on lipid nutrition in larvae and juveniles of the indian white prawn penaeus indicus h. milne edwards

Recent studies with prawns indicate that their growth, metamorphosis, maturation and moulting are affected by the typo and level of lipids supplied in the diets. Despite the recognition of the importance of lipids in the diets of prawns there is no information on the essentiality and quantitative lipid requirements of Indian penaeid prawns. Therefore during the present study about 24 laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the essentiality and dietary requirements of total lipids, phoapholipida, fatty acids cholestrol, and to ascertain the nutritional value of natural lipid sources for the larvae, post-larvae tad juveniles of one of the most suitable cultivable species of panaeid prans. All the experiments were conducted in the laboratory following standard procedures, using isonitrogen and approaximately isocaloric purified diets. Changes were made in tha ingridients as required for specific requirements. For the larvae diets of particle size < 37) were fed, For the postlarvae and juveniles pellet feed was given. while data on survival and growth of larvae and pout-larvae 1-10 were recorded, data were collected on the survival, growth, food conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and biochemical composition at the body for post-larva 11-25 and juveniles. The influence ot fatty acid pattern of dietary lipid sources on the fatty acids profile of prawns were also studied in the case of juvenile prawns. Analysis of variance andleast significant differences test were employed to determine the significant differences between treatments in the observed parameters with the help of a newlett Packard master computer.

Studies on the common penaeid prawns of the Kerala coast

Very little is known about the tolerance of the pensoid prawns in Indian waters under varying environment conditions ,except for a note on the salinityon The growth of the juvenile papacus indicus by sreekumaran nair and krishnankutty there seems to be no work on this aspect besides the oxygen consumption of metsponecus dobsoni which is a major constituent of prawn fishery in this region has not been studied so far.T he present work comprises studies on the occurrence and abudance of penacid prawnsin two major estuaries in Kerala the kayamkulam lake and cochin backwaters the salinity and tempeture tolerance the effect of salinity on the growth of three comercially important prawns of kerala namely pensecus indicus, ,metaponaeus dobsoni, M monoceros and the respiratory metabolism of M. dobsoni.