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Catriona Clemmesen - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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appraisal of warm temperate south african mangrove estuaries as habitats to enhance larval Nutritional Condition and growth of gilchristella aestuaria family clupeidae using rna dna ratios
Estuaries and Coasts, 2018Co-Authors: Eugin Bornman, Nadine A. Strydom, Catriona ClemmesenAbstract:Estuaries are highly dynamic systems that serve as nursery areas to fishes and are likely to vary in nursery function, mostly due to habitat quality and food availability. Mangroves are thought to be good nurseries as they enhance food availability and protection, improving growth and survival of juvenile fishes. Food quantity and quality may be reflected in Nutritional Condition, which may in turn be a useful proxy for growth and survival of larval fishes. This study compared the Nutritional Condition and growth rate of 793 late stage larvae of estuarine roundherring, Gilchristella aestuaria, by using RNA:DNA indices to indirectly compare the feeding environment among similar warm-temperate mangrove and non-mangrove estuaries in South Africa during January 2015 and 2016. Results indicated that G. aestuaria larvae had differing Nutritional Conditions within the sampling years and within the estuaries. The standardised RNA:DNA (sRD) as well as the RNA residual index values were higher within mangrove estuaries only in 2016. The instantaneous growth rates (Gi) of larvae in mangrove and non-mangrove estuaries were similar; however, post-flexion larvae were found to have a higher Gi and sRD in mangrove estuaries. Turbidity was the major factor influencing the Nutritional Condition of G. aestuaria larvae. Mangroves have been found to act as sediment sinks and thus may provide advantages that increase feeding success for post-flexion larvae; however, more is yet to be understood in terms of feeding environment dynamics and how habitat quality influences the survival of larval fishes.
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Preliminary insight into the relationship between environmental factors and the Nutritional Condition and growth of Gilchristella aestuaria larvae in the upper reaches of South African estuaries
Environmental Biology of Fishes, 2015Co-Authors: David Costalago, Nadine A. Strydom, Carminita L. Frost, Catriona ClemmesenAbstract:Estuarine systems play a critical role as nursery areas for some fish species. Nursery function, nevertheless, is likely to vary among estuaries, mostly due to differences in habitat quality. High quality nursery habitats are those in which growth and survival of early stages of fish are enhanced. The Nutritional Condition of larval fishes has vital implications for their mortality and growth, and thereby their recruitment. This study aimed to compare the Nutritional Condition of Gichristella aestuaria larvae, using individual RNA-DNA ratios and growth rates in the upper reaches of six estuaries in South Africa to find the environmental factors that better determine the Nutritional Condition of fish larvae. Physico-chemical factors as well as calorific value of zooplankton were used to correlate to fish body Condition. Results showed that the larvae of G. aestuaria from the freshwater rich Gamtoos and the Sundays estuaries were in better Nutritional Condition than the larvae from other estuaries, while larvae from the Swartkops Estuary, a highly eutrophic system, presented the worst Nutritional Condition of all studied larvae. Salinity and the abundance of zooplankton were the major factors determining the Nutritional Condition of G. aestuaria larvae in these warm temperate estuaries. In addition, our results suggest that the match-mismatch hypothesis might also be important in estuarine systems. This study represents one of the few studies worldwide that applied a multispecies growth model for fish larvae in warm temperate estuaries.
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Depth-dependent Nutritional Condition of sprat Sprattus sprattus larvae in the central Bornholm Basin, Baltic Sea
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2007Co-Authors: Andreas Dänhardt, Catriona Clemmesen, Myron A. Peck, Axel TemmingAbstract:Bimodal depth distribution patterns observed for sprat Sprattus sprattus larvae in previous field studies conducted in the deep basins of the Baltic Sea have led researchers to hypothesise that larval sprat Condition was depth-dependent. We examined this hypothesis by measuring morphological, biochemical and otolith-based proxies for Nutritional Condition in sprat larvae collected in discrete 5 m depth intervals from the surface to the bottom in the central Bornholm Basin. Similar to earlier studies, larval sprat were most abundant in 2 depth strata (0 to 10 and 65 to 75 m). Their Nutritional Condition in surface and deep waters was not uniformly expressed by the different indices. For example, sprat larvae from 0 to 10 m could not be distinguished from conspecifics caught at 65 to 75 m by a long-latency Condition proxy (otolith-based growth rates). Similarly, a medium-latency proxy (RNA:DNA) did not suggest differences in Condition between the depths. However, short-latency proxies (protein:standard length and DNA:dry weight) supported the depth-dependent Condition hypothesis. The lack of correspondence and pitfalls associated with the use and interpretation of multiple Condition indices (e.g. the influences of temperature and body size) are discussed and recommendations to strengthen these various metrics are provided.
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Comparative Nutritional Condition of larval dab Limanda limanda and lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus in a highly variable environment
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2007Co-Authors: Arne M. Malzahn, Catriona Clemmesen, Karen Helen Wiltshire, Silke Laakmann, Maarten BoersmaAbstract:We investigated the Nutritional Condition of larval fishes caught in daily ichthyoplankton hauls in the ‘Helgoland Roads’ (54°11.18’N and 07°54.00’E) from February to June 2004. We concentrated on larvae of dab Limanda limanda and lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus in order to compare early life stages of iteroparous and nearly semelparous fish. We analysed length, weight and RNA:DNA ratios as a proxy for Condition of the larvae. The relationship between larval Nutritional Condition and larval size provided an indication of Condition-selective mortality due to a loss of larvae in poor Condition from the larger size-classes. For the sandeel, larvae in good Condition were present in all size-classes, whereas for the dab maximum larval Condition increased with increasing size. Variability in both standard length and Condition was high in the 2 species during their planktonic stage. Both species showed good Nutritional Condition in the early to mid portion of the recruitment period and declines in Condition in late April. This was more pronounced in larval dab, which showed a higher dependency on feeding Conditions than larval sandeel. Together, these findings indicate a more conservative strategy of early life stages of the nearly semelparous sandeel compared with the iteroparous dab.
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Nutritional Condition and vertical distribution of baltic cod larvae
Journal of Fish Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Peter Gronkjaer, Catriona Clemmesen, M A St JohnAbstract:Newly hatched Baltic cod Gadus morhua larvae are typically found at depths >60 m. This is a region of low light and prey availability, hence generating the hypothesis that larvae have to migrate from hatching depth to the surface layer to avoid starvation and improve their Nutritional Condition. To test this hypothesis, Baltic cod larvae were sampled during the spawning seasons of 1994 and 1995 with depth-resolving multiple opening/closing nets. Each larva was aged by otolith readings and its RNA/DNA ratio was determined as a measure of Nutritional Condition. The RNA/DNA ratios of these larvae aged 2-25 days (median 10 days) ranged from 0.4 to 6.2, corresponding to levels exhibited by starving and fast-growing larvae in laboratory calibration studies (starvation, protein growth rate, Gpi= -12.2% day−1; fastgrowing larvae, Gpi=14.1%day−1) respectively. Seventy per cent of the field caught larvae had RNA/DNA ratios between the mean values found for starving and fed laboratory larvae. Only larvae aged 8-11 days had higher mean RNA/DNA ratios above 45 m than below (t-test, P<0.05). However, the instantaneous protein growth rates were significantly higher for all larval age groups in the surface layers (t-test, P<0.05). Starving larvae were found in all depths sampled (10-85 m), whereas growing larvae (positive Gpi) were restricted to samples taken shallower than 45 m. These superior growth rates above 45 m corroborate the hypothesis and imply that migration to the shallow water layers is a prerequisite for good Nutritional Condition, growth and survival of Baltic cod larvae. The frequent occurrence of cod larvae older than 8 days in the deep water in poor Condition suggests that a proportion of the larvae will die from Starvation in the deep layers of the Baltic Sea.
C G Carter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Physiological status and Nutritional Condition of cultured juvenile Thenus australiensis over the moult cycle
'Elsevier BV', 2020Co-Authors: Mj Landman, Qp Fitzgibbon, Wirtz A, Bm Codabaccus, Ventura T, Gg Smith, C G CarterAbstract:The moult cycle is arguably the most critical aspect of crustacean biology and is associated with dramatic changes in behaviour, physiology and Condition. Here we describe the first detailed investigation of the combined changes in morphology, physiological status and Nutritional Condition over the moult cycle of juvenile T. australiensis. Haemolymph refractive index (measured as Brix) was evaluated as a non-destructive method for predicting physiological status and Nutritional Condition. Post-moult, inter-moult and pre-moult stages were identifiable by microscopic examination of the pleopod distal tips, though differentiation of the pre-moult substages was not possible using this technique. Monitoring of ecdysial suture lines on the exoskeleton gill chambers was found to be highly useful for visually determining progression through the pre-moult stage and predicting the timing of ecdysis. A classical pattern of inter-moult growth was observed where size and wet weight remained relatively uniform over the moult cycle while highly significant changes in whole-body composition were simultaneously observed over time. Growth was most evident by changes in dry weight and dry matter content which more than doubled by the onset of pre-moult. Changes in dry matter content were generally mirrored by Brix and whole-body crude protein, total lipid and gross energy content. Brix strongly correlated with dry matter content and significant correlations were also found for all other primary measures of Nutritional Condition. Typical moult-related changes were also found for circulating ecdysteroids. This study clearly demonstrates pronounced cyclical changes in physiology and Condition of juvenile T. australiensis over a typical moult cycle. The significant correlations between haemolymph and whole-body composition validates Brix as a practical and non-destructive method to objectively assess physiological status, Nutritional Condition and quality in T. australiensis and further demonstrates its potential for individual crustacean assessment in experimental research and practical commercial applications
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temperature dependent growth feeding Nutritional Condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster sagmariasus verreauxi
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-molecular & Integrative Physiology, 2017Co-Authors: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon, Cedric J Simon, C G Carter, Gg Smith, S C BattagleneAbstract:We examined the effects of temperature on the growth, feeding, Nutritional Condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, in order to determine if temperature acclimated aerobic scope correlates with optimum for growth and to establish the thermal tolerance window for this emerging aquaculture species. Juvenile lobsters (initial weight = 10.95 ± 0.47 g) were reared (n = 7) at temperatures from 11.0 to 28.5 °C for 145 days. All lobsters survived from 14.5 to 25.0 °C while survival was reduced at 11.0 °C (86%) and all lobsters died at 28.5 °C. Lobster specific growth rate and specific feed consumption displayed a unimodal response with temperature, peaking at 21.5 °C. Lobster standard, routine and maximum metabolic rates, and aerobic scope all increased exponentially up to maximum non-lethal temperature. Optimum temperature for growth did not correspond to that for maximum aerobic scope suggesting that aerobic scope is not an effective predictor of the thermal optimum of spiny lobsters. Plateauing of specific feed consumption beyond 21.5 °C suggests that temperature dependent growth of lobsters is limited by capacity to ingest or digest sufficient food to meet increasing maintenance metabolic demands at high temperatures. The Nutritional Condition of lobsters was not influenced by temperature and feed conversion ratio was improved at lower temperatures. These findings add to a growing body of evidence questioning the generality of aerobic scope to describe the physiological thermal boundaries of aquatic ectotherms and suggest that feed intake plays a crucial role in regulating performance at thermal extremes.
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near infrared spectroscopy as a novel non invasive tool to assess spiny lobster Nutritional Condition
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Cedric J Simon, Thomas Rodemann, C G CarterAbstract:Rapid non-invasive monitoring of spiny lobster Nutritional Condition has considerable application in the established fishery, live market and prospective aquaculture. The aim of this research was to test the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a novel non-invasive tool to assess the Nutritional Condition of three lobster species. Lobster (n = 92) abdominal muscle dry matter (AMDM) and carbon content (AMC) correlated significantly with indices of Nutritional Condition including hepatopancreas dry matter (HPDM; rho = 0.83, 0.78), total lipid content (HPTL; rho = 0.85, 0.87) and haemolymph total protein (TP; rho = 0.89, 0.87 respectively). Abdominal muscle nitrogen content (AMN) was a poor correlate of Nutritional Condition. Models based on FT-NIR scanning of whole lobster tails successfully predicted AMDM, AMN and AMC (RMSECV = 1.41%, 0.35% and 0.91%; R2 = 0.75, 0.65, 0.77, respectively), and to a lower accuracy HPDM, HPTL and TP (RMSECV = 6.22%, 8.37%, 18.4 g l-1; R2 = 0.51, 0.70, 0.83, respectively). NIRS was applied successfully to assess the Condition of spiny lobsters non-invasively. This pilot study paves the way for the development of crustacean Condition models using portable non-invasive devices in the laboratory or in the field.
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dietary carbohydrate lipid ratios and Nutritional Condition in juvenile southern rock lobster jasus edwardsii
Aquaculture, 2003Co-Authors: Danielle Johnston, K A Calvert, B J Crear, C G CarterAbstract:Abstract The availability of formulated diets is considered economically imperative if rock lobster aquaculture, based on the collection and ongrowing of puerulus, is to progress. Central to the development of diets is an understanding of the Nutritional requirements of the species. This study determined the effect of different dietary carbohydrate/lipid ratios (17:1, 5:1, 2:1, 0.8:1) on the growth and Nutritional Condition of juvenile southern rock lobsters, Jasus edwardsii, by measuring standard growth parameters, proximate composition of the whole body and digestive gland, and from a histological investigation of the digestive gland. Four replicate groups of eight lobsters (initial weight 5.08±0.98 g (mean±S.D.)) per diet treatment were held in 50 l tanks, in a recirculating system at 18 °C for 84 days. Maximum growth and the highest levels of lipid and dry matter in digestive glands and whole bodies was found in lobsters fed a diet containing 27% carbohydrate and 13.5% lipid (2:1 ratio) suggesting that of the four experimental diets, this diet provided the best balance of lipid and carbohydrate. Digestive gland histology supported this conclusion and lobsters fed low carbohydrate, high lipid diets were in the best Nutritional Condition, with high lipid accumulation, and structurally sound epithelial cells. Digestive gland epithelial cells of lobsters fed the high carbohydrate, low lipid diets were compressed, of inconsistent shape and size, with low lipid accumulation. Histology is therefore seen as a feasible method, in addition to growth and proximate composition data, to further examine the effect of diets in Nutritional studies of crustaceans.
D. Margulies - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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assessment of the Nutritional Condition of larval and early juvenile tuna and spanish mackerel pisces scombridae in the panama bight
Marine Biology, 1993Co-Authors: D. MarguliesAbstract:The Nutritional Condition of first-feeding and late larval/early juvenile scombrids was investigated in waters of the northwestern Panama Bight from May through early November 1988. Wild-caught larvae and juveniles of three taxa, black skipjack tuna (Euthynnus lineatus), bullet and/or frigate tuna (Auxis spp.) and sierra (Scomberomorus sierra), were examined histologically to determine Nutritional Condition. The incidence of malnourishment in wild-caught preflexion (first feeding—prior to notochord flexion) larvae of all taxa was high. Starvation rates for E. lineatus and Auxis spp. preflexion larvae ranged from 62 to 63% d-1, while the percentage of larvae actually dying of starvation was estimated at 41 to 43% d-1. The Nutritional point-of-no-return for preflexion larvae was estimated at 1 to 2 d maximum. The cellular Condition of liver hepatocytes, particularly the relative amount of vacuolation related to storage of glycogen and lipid, proved to be a sensitive indicator of Nutritional Condition. In laboratory trials, late larval (postflexion) and early juvenile black skipjack exhibited a Nutritional point-of-no-return of 2 to 3 d. Although postflexion larvae were moderately vulnerable to malnourishment in laboratory trials, <13% of wild-caught postflexion larvae exhibited even mild Nutritional stress, and no postflexion larvae or juveniles showed signs of severe malnourishment. This pattern of starvation incidence suggests that tropical scombrids undergo stagespecific starvation mortality. Preflexion larvae can suffer significant daily losses due to starvation, while postflexion larvae and early juveniles seem to experience a rapid improvement in feeding ability and/or food availability.
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Assessment of the Nutritional Condition of larval and early juvenile tuna and Spanish mackerel (Pisces: Scombridae) in the Panamá Bight
Marine Biology, 1993Co-Authors: D. MarguliesAbstract:The Nutritional Condition of first-feeding and late larval/early juvenile scombrids was investigated in waters of the northwestern Panama Bight from May through early November 1988. Wild-caught larvae and juveniles of three taxa, black skipjack tuna (Euthynnus lineatus), bullet and/or frigate tuna (Auxis spp.) and sierra (Scomberomorus sierra), were examined histologically to determine Nutritional Condition. The incidence of malnourishment in wild-caught preflexion (first feeding—prior to notochord flexion) larvae of all taxa was high. Starvation rates for E. lineatus and Auxis spp. preflexion larvae ranged from 62 to 63% d-1, while the percentage of larvae actually dying of starvation was estimated at 41 to 43% d-1. The Nutritional point-of-no-return for preflexion larvae was estimated at 1 to 2 d maximum. The cellular Condition of liver hepatocytes, particularly the relative amount of vacuolation related to storage of glycogen and lipid, proved to be a sensitive indicator of Nutritional Condition. In laboratory trials, late larval (postflexion) and early juvenile black skipjack exhibited a Nutritional point-of-no-return of 2 to 3 d. Although postflexion larvae were moderately vulnerable to malnourishment in laboratory trials,
Cedric J Simon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the impact of seismic air gun exposure on the haemolymph physiology and Nutritional Condition of spiny lobster jasus edwardsii
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon, Cedric J Simon, Robert D. Mccauley, Jayson M SemmensAbstract:There is a critical knowledge gap regarding the impacts of seismic air gun signals on the physiology of adult crustaceans. We conducted four controlled field experiments to examine the impact of seismic acoustic signals on spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii. Seismic air gun exposure suppressed total haemocyte count (THC) for up to 120 days post-exposure, suggesting a chronic negative impact of immune competency. THC levels after 365 days post-exposure, were elevated two fold, potentially indicating an immune response to infection. Haemolymph refractive index was reduced after 120 days post exposure in one experiment, suggesting a chronic impairment of Nutritional Condition. There was no effect of air gun exposure on 24 haemolymph biochemical parameters, hepatopancreas index or survival. Collectively these results indicate that the biochemical haematological homeostasis of J. edwardsii is reasonably resilient to seismic acoustic signals, however, air gun exposure may negatively influence the lobster's Nutritional Condition and immunological capacity.
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temperature dependent growth feeding Nutritional Condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster sagmariasus verreauxi
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-molecular & Integrative Physiology, 2017Co-Authors: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon, Cedric J Simon, C G Carter, Gg Smith, S C BattagleneAbstract:We examined the effects of temperature on the growth, feeding, Nutritional Condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, in order to determine if temperature acclimated aerobic scope correlates with optimum for growth and to establish the thermal tolerance window for this emerging aquaculture species. Juvenile lobsters (initial weight = 10.95 ± 0.47 g) were reared (n = 7) at temperatures from 11.0 to 28.5 °C for 145 days. All lobsters survived from 14.5 to 25.0 °C while survival was reduced at 11.0 °C (86%) and all lobsters died at 28.5 °C. Lobster specific growth rate and specific feed consumption displayed a unimodal response with temperature, peaking at 21.5 °C. Lobster standard, routine and maximum metabolic rates, and aerobic scope all increased exponentially up to maximum non-lethal temperature. Optimum temperature for growth did not correspond to that for maximum aerobic scope suggesting that aerobic scope is not an effective predictor of the thermal optimum of spiny lobsters. Plateauing of specific feed consumption beyond 21.5 °C suggests that temperature dependent growth of lobsters is limited by capacity to ingest or digest sufficient food to meet increasing maintenance metabolic demands at high temperatures. The Nutritional Condition of lobsters was not influenced by temperature and feed conversion ratio was improved at lower temperatures. These findings add to a growing body of evidence questioning the generality of aerobic scope to describe the physiological thermal boundaries of aquatic ectotherms and suggest that feed intake plays a crucial role in regulating performance at thermal extremes.
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near infrared spectroscopy as a novel non invasive tool to assess spiny lobster Nutritional Condition
PLOS ONE, 2016Co-Authors: Cedric J Simon, Thomas Rodemann, C G CarterAbstract:Rapid non-invasive monitoring of spiny lobster Nutritional Condition has considerable application in the established fishery, live market and prospective aquaculture. The aim of this research was to test the feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a novel non-invasive tool to assess the Nutritional Condition of three lobster species. Lobster (n = 92) abdominal muscle dry matter (AMDM) and carbon content (AMC) correlated significantly with indices of Nutritional Condition including hepatopancreas dry matter (HPDM; rho = 0.83, 0.78), total lipid content (HPTL; rho = 0.85, 0.87) and haemolymph total protein (TP; rho = 0.89, 0.87 respectively). Abdominal muscle nitrogen content (AMN) was a poor correlate of Nutritional Condition. Models based on FT-NIR scanning of whole lobster tails successfully predicted AMDM, AMN and AMC (RMSECV = 1.41%, 0.35% and 0.91%; R2 = 0.75, 0.65, 0.77, respectively), and to a lower accuracy HPDM, HPTL and TP (RMSECV = 6.22%, 8.37%, 18.4 g l-1; R2 = 0.51, 0.70, 0.83, respectively). NIRS was applied successfully to assess the Condition of spiny lobsters non-invasively. This pilot study paves the way for the development of crustacean Condition models using portable non-invasive devices in the laboratory or in the field.
Quinn P. Fitzgibbon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the impact of seismic air gun exposure on the haemolymph physiology and Nutritional Condition of spiny lobster jasus edwardsii
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017Co-Authors: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon, Cedric J Simon, Robert D. Mccauley, Jayson M SemmensAbstract:There is a critical knowledge gap regarding the impacts of seismic air gun signals on the physiology of adult crustaceans. We conducted four controlled field experiments to examine the impact of seismic acoustic signals on spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii. Seismic air gun exposure suppressed total haemocyte count (THC) for up to 120 days post-exposure, suggesting a chronic negative impact of immune competency. THC levels after 365 days post-exposure, were elevated two fold, potentially indicating an immune response to infection. Haemolymph refractive index was reduced after 120 days post exposure in one experiment, suggesting a chronic impairment of Nutritional Condition. There was no effect of air gun exposure on 24 haemolymph biochemical parameters, hepatopancreas index or survival. Collectively these results indicate that the biochemical haematological homeostasis of J. edwardsii is reasonably resilient to seismic acoustic signals, however, air gun exposure may negatively influence the lobster's Nutritional Condition and immunological capacity.
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temperature dependent growth feeding Nutritional Condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster sagmariasus verreauxi
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A-molecular & Integrative Physiology, 2017Co-Authors: Quinn P. Fitzgibbon, Cedric J Simon, C G Carter, Gg Smith, S C BattagleneAbstract:We examined the effects of temperature on the growth, feeding, Nutritional Condition and aerobic metabolism of juvenile spiny lobster, Sagmariasus verreauxi, in order to determine if temperature acclimated aerobic scope correlates with optimum for growth and to establish the thermal tolerance window for this emerging aquaculture species. Juvenile lobsters (initial weight = 10.95 ± 0.47 g) were reared (n = 7) at temperatures from 11.0 to 28.5 °C for 145 days. All lobsters survived from 14.5 to 25.0 °C while survival was reduced at 11.0 °C (86%) and all lobsters died at 28.5 °C. Lobster specific growth rate and specific feed consumption displayed a unimodal response with temperature, peaking at 21.5 °C. Lobster standard, routine and maximum metabolic rates, and aerobic scope all increased exponentially up to maximum non-lethal temperature. Optimum temperature for growth did not correspond to that for maximum aerobic scope suggesting that aerobic scope is not an effective predictor of the thermal optimum of spiny lobsters. Plateauing of specific feed consumption beyond 21.5 °C suggests that temperature dependent growth of lobsters is limited by capacity to ingest or digest sufficient food to meet increasing maintenance metabolic demands at high temperatures. The Nutritional Condition of lobsters was not influenced by temperature and feed conversion ratio was improved at lower temperatures. These findings add to a growing body of evidence questioning the generality of aerobic scope to describe the physiological thermal boundaries of aquatic ectotherms and suggest that feed intake plays a crucial role in regulating performance at thermal extremes.
