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- Effect of three diets on the growth and fatty acid profile of the common ragworm Hediste diversicolor (O.F. Müller, 1776)Publication . Santos, António; Granada, Luana; Baptista, Teresa; Anjos, Catarina; Simões, Tiago; Tecelão, Carla; Fidalgo e Costa, Pedro; Costa, José Lino; Pombo, AnaThe polychaete Hediste diversicolor has a high physiological tolerance to extreme environmental factors, being easily farmed and reproduced in different types of conditions. Both in the field and under laboratory conditions, this worm can feed on different types of food. In order to highlight the potential of H. diversicolor for aquaculture, specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth rate (DGR), survival rate and fatty acid profile of juvenile worms, fed with three different diets, were assessed. The experiments were conducted using juvenile polychaete from a controlled reproduction with wild adults. H. diversicolor individuals were fed with two commercial diets, seabream dry feed (Aquagold) and semi-wet pellets for reared sole (Moist Sole), and with a non-processed diet consisting on mackerel's fillets (Trachurus trachurus). Juveniles fed with Aquagold had the highest final individual weight (0.89 ± 0.10 g). The SGR was higher in H. diversicolor fed with Aquagold and Moist Sole, (6.49 ± 0.30% d−1 and 6.54 ± 0.06% d−1 , respectively. The highest DGR was observed for juveniles fed with Aquagold (0.146 ± 0.02 g d−1 ). The survival rate of ragworms under different treatments ranged from 96 to 100%. Regarding the protein content, the Moist Sole diet provided the highest percentage of protein in the reared worms (8.87%). Results showed that the total fat content of the diets was reflected in the fat content of the reared worms. The Moist Sole diet treatment had the highest fat content (2.25%) and individuals fed with seabream dry feed showed similar results (2.18%), while the lowest percentage was observed for the mackerel diet (0.85%). According to the fatty acid profile, the major fatty acids found in the juveniles fed with the three different diets were palmitic (C 16:0), with a higher value in the individuals fed with mackerel's fillets. Oleic (C 18:1 n9), eicosapentaenoic (C 20:5 n3), docosahexaenoic (C 22:6 n3) and stearic (C 18:0) acids presented high values in H. diversicolor fed with all the experimental diets. Statement of Relevance: The common ragworm Hediste diversicolor is a potential high quality fatty acids source for reared fish and shrimp. Previous studies suggested that diet could be a relevant factor affecting the fatty acid composition of this polychaete (Luis and Passos, 1995). This study aimed to assess the effect of different diets on growth and survival of common ragworms juveniles (H. diversicolor), as well as the fatty acid profile and protein content in their tissues, aiming to find an appropriate diet to be used in commercial aquaculture.
- Modelling integrated multi-trophic aquaculture: Optimizing a three trophic level systemPublication . Granada, Luana; Lopes, Sofia; Novais, Sara C.; Lemos, Marco F. L.As a fast-growing food production industry, aquaculture is dealing with the need for intensification due to the global increasing demand for fish products. However, this also implies the use of more sustainable practices to reduce negative environmental impacts currently associated with this industry, including the use of wild resources, destruction of natural ecosystems, eutrophication of effluent receiving bodies, impacts due to inadequate medication practices, among others. Using multi-species systems, such as integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, allows to produce economically important species while reducing some of these aquaculture concerns, through biomitigation of aquaculture wastes and reduction of diseases outbreaks, for example. Applying mathematical models to these systems is crucial to control and understand the interactions between species, maximizing productivity, with important environmental and economic benefits. Here, the application of some equations and models available in the literature, regarding basic parameters, is discussed – population dynamics, growth, waste production, and filtering rate – when considering the description and optimization of a theoretical integrated multi-trophic aquaculture operation composed by three trophic levels.
- Swimming behaviour as an alternative endpoint to assess differences in abiotic stress sensitivities between strains of Brachionus koreanus (Rotifera: Monogononta)Publication . Granada, Luana; Lemos, Marco F.L.; Bossier, Peter; Novais, Sara C.Brachionus plicatilis is a cosmopolitan rotifer used as a model organism in several research areas and as live food in aquaculture. Being a species complex, responses to stressors vary even among strains of the same species and, thus, the responses of one species are not representative of the whole complex. This study aimed to address the effects of extreme salinity ranges, and different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, copper, cadmium, and chloramphenicol, in two strains of B. koreanus (MRS10 and IBA3) from B. plicatilis species complex, by assessing effects on their survival and swimming capacity. Neonates (0–4 h old) were exposed to the stressors in 48 well-microplates, for 24 and 6 h, to evaluate lethal and behavioural effects, respectively. Tested conditions of chloramphenicol did not show any effects on rotifers. The behavioural endpoint showed to be particularly sensitive to assess the effects of high salinity, hydrogen peroxide, and copper sulfate, as swimming capacity impairment was observed for both strains in the lowest concentrations used in lethal tests. Overall, results showed that IBA3 was more tolerant to the majority of stressors, comparing to MRS10, which may be due to differences in physiological characteristics, highlighting the importance of performing multiclonal experiments. Also, swimming capacity inhibition proved to be a good alternative to the classical lethality tests, being sensitive to lower concentrations and with shorter exposure periods.
- Is integrated multitrophic aquaculture the solution to the sectors’ major challenges? – a reviewPublication . Granada, Luana; Sousa, Nádia; Lopes, Sofia; Lemos, Marco F. L.The growing demand for fish products and the dwindling productivity of marine fish stocks due to the overexploitation of fisheries place the aquaculture industry as a key contributor to the global fish supply. The intensive development of aquaculture has raised a range of environmental concerns such as effluent discharge, excessive use of resources and dependence on commercial feed. In this context, the development of sustainable aquaculture systems is becoming the cornerstone for long-term aquaculture expansion, and to achieve environmental sustainability. Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) is regarded as a suitable approach to limit aquaculture nutrients and organic matter outputs through biomitigation. The cocultured species are used as biofilters, and each level has its own independent commercial value, providing both economic and environmental sustainability. Here, environmental issues of aquaculture and the current status of IMTA are reviewed and its future prospects discussed. Also, the opportunities to expand this systems’ complexity with increased added-value and trophic levels are introduced.
- Is integrated multitrophic aquaculture the solution to the sectors’ major challenges? – a reviewPublication . Almeida, Luana; Sousa, Nádia; Lopes, Sofia; Lemos, MarcoThe growing demand for fish products and the dwindling productivity of marine fish stocks due to the overexploitation of fisheries place the aquaculture industry as a key contributor to the global fish supply. The intensive development of aquaculture has raised a range of environmental concerns such as effluent discharge, excessive use of resources and dependence on commercial feed. In this context, the development of sustainable aquaculture systems is becoming the cornerstone for long-term aquaculture expansion, and to achieve environmental sustainability. Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) is regarded as a suitable approach to limit aquaculture nutrients and organic matter outputs through biomitigation. The cocultured species are used as biofilters, and each level has its own independent commercial value, providing both economic and environmental sustainabil ity. Here, environmental issues of aquaculture and the current status of IMTA are reviewed and its future prospects discussed. Also, the opportunities to expand this systems’ complexity with increased added-value and trophic levels are introduced.
- Epigenetics in aquaculture - the last frontierPublication . Granada, Luana; Lemos, Marco F. L.; Cabral, Henrique; Bossier, Peter; Novais, Sara C.Aquaculture production is expanding rapidly around the world. To tackle rising production and species diversity issues, innovations in the field of aquaculture feeds, breeding, disease management and other improvements must be addressed. In this framework, the study of epigenetic mechanisms behind different aquaculture rearing processes presents great opportunities. The transcriptional impact of epigenetic modifications, triggered by environmental stimuli, has been shown to influence the organism’s phenotype. Therefore, understanding the environmental-induced epigenetic markers related to disease resistance or other economically important traits will allow the establishment of favourable breeding conditions with increased economical revenue. Several studies have shown epigenetic effects in various species, induced by different rearing conditions, with benefits for the organisms and evidences for heritability of the acquired adaptive phenotypic traits across generations, making these studies even more relevant in a production context. These studies have demonstrated the great potential of epigenetics to positively induce disease resistance, stress tolerance and attain better sex ratios in the aquatic organism. Also, in the field of nutritional epigenetics, the possibility of early nutritional programming to improve the performance of broodstock or even the long-term performance of their progeny has been suggested. In sum, an increased understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in economically important species, and the epigenetic markers leading to the most favourable phenotypic traits, will contribute to the expansion of economically viable commercial aquaculture industries. The major epigenetic mechanisms and respective analysis methods, as well as the state of the art and potential applications in aquaculture, are addressed in this review.
- Epigenetics in aquaculture: the last frontierPublication . Granada, Luana; Lemos, Marco F.L.; Cabral, Henrique N.; Bossier, Peter; Novais, Sara C.Aquaculture production is expanding rapidly around the world. To tackle rising production and species diversity issues, innovations in the field of aquaculture feeds, breeding, disease management and other improvements must be addressed. In this framework, the study of epigenetic mechanisms behind different aquaculture rearing processes presents great opportunities. The transcriptional impact of epigenetic modifications, triggered by environmental stimuli, has been shown to influence the organism’s phenotype. Therefore, understanding the environmental-induced epigenetic markers related to disease resistance or other economically important traits will allow the establishment of favourable breeding conditions with increased economical revenue. Several studies have shown epigenetic effects in various species, induced by different rearing conditions, with benefits for the organisms and evidences for heritability of the acquired adaptive phenotypic traits across generations, making these studies even more relevant in a production context. These studies have demonstrated the great potential of epigenetics to positively induce disease resistance, stress tolerance and attain better sex ratios in the aquatic organism. Also, in the field of nutritional epigenetics, the possibility of early nutritional programming to improve the performance of broodstock or even the long-term performance of their progeny has been suggested. In sum, an increased understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in economically important species, and the epigenetic markers leading to the most favourable phenotypic traits, will contribute to the expansion of economically viable commercial aquaculture industries. The major epigenetic mechanisms and respective analysis methods, as well as the state of the art and potential applications in aquaculture, are addressed in this review.
- Fatty acid profile of the sea snail Gibbula umbilicalis as a biomarker for coastal metal pollutionPublication . Silva, Carla; Simões, Tiago; Novais, Sara C.; Pimparel, Inês; Granada, Luana; Soares, Amadeu M. V. M.; Barata, Carlos; Lemos, Marco F. L.Metals are among the most common environmental pollutants with natural or anthropogenic origin that can be easily transferred through the food chain. Marine gastropods are known to accumulate high concentrations of these metals in their tissues. Gibbula umbilicalis ecological importance and abundant soft tissues, which enables extent biochemical assessments, makes this particular organism a potentially suitable species for marine ecotoxicological studies. Fatty acids are carbon-rich compounds that are ubiquitous in all organisms and easy to metabolize. Their biological specificity, relatively well-studied functions and importance, and the fact that they may alter when stress is induced, make fatty acids prospect biomarkers. This work aimed to assess fatty acid profile changes in the gastropod G. umbilicalis exposed to three metal contaminants. After a 168 h exposure to cadmium, mercury, and nickel, the following lipid related endpoints were measured: total lipid content; lipid peroxidation; and fatty acid profile (FAP). The analysis of the FAP suggested an alteration in the fatty acid metabolism and indicated a link between metals exposure and homeoviscous adaptation and immune response. In particular, five fatty acids (palmitic, eicosatrienoic, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids), demonstrated to be especially good indicators of G. umbilicalis responses to the array of metals used, having thus the potential to be used as biomarkers for metal contamination in this species. This work represents a first approach for the use of FAP signature as a sensitive and informative parameter and novel tool in environmental risk assessment (ERA) of coastal environments, using G. umbilicalis as model species.
- Insight into aquaculture's potential of marine annelid worms and ecological concerns: a reviewPublication . Pombo, Ana; Baptista, Teresa; Granada, Luana; Ferreira, Susana M. F.; Gonçalves, Sílvia C.; Anjos, Catarina; Sá, Erica; Chainho, Paula; Fonseca, Luís Cancela da; Fidalgo e Costa, Pedro; Costa, José L.Polychaetes are marine annelid worms that can contribute to aquaculture diversification. Its culture has been viable, and commercially attempted, but intensive production has progressed only in few countries around the world. In the countries with no production, marine polychaetes are imported or harvested. A strong and sustained research investment provided to a better understanding of the nutritional requirements and reproduction of some species. Recent studies showed new technical improvements, which can lead to an important progress in productivity and give a new impetus to the polychaete production. Some marine worm species were identified as good candidates for integrated multitrophic aquaculture. The development of cost-effective aquaculture techniques for marine annelid worms is essential to ensure a balance between commercial interests and the preservation of ecosystems. The influence of polychaete aquaculture on the environment and vice versa raise important concerns related to ecological security and sustainability of this activity. This review focus on the main technical improvements and advances that have been made in areas as diverse as: aquaculture potential of polychaetes, reared species, main species used worldwide, and highlights biological and ecological concerns, important challenges and recommendations.
- Insight into aquaculture’s potential of marine annelid worms and ecological concerns: a reviewPublication . Pombo, Ana; Baptista, Teresa; Granada, Luana; Ferreira, Susana M. F.; Gonçalves, Sílvia C.; Anjos, Catarina; Sá, Erica; Chainho, Paula; Fonseca, Luís Cancela da; Costa, Pedro Fidalgo e; Costa, José L.Polychaetes are marine annelid worms that can contribute to aquaculture diversification. Its culture has been viable, and commercially attempted, but intensive production has progressed only in few countries around the world. In the countries with no production, marine polychaetes are imported or harvested. A strong and sustained research investment provided to a better understanding of the nutritional requirements and reproduction of some species. Recent studies showed new technical improvements, which can lead to an important progress in productivity and give a new impetus to the polychaete production. Some marine worm species were identified as good candidates for integrated multitrophic aquaculture. The development of cost-effective aquaculture techniques for marine annelid worms is essential to ensure a balance between commercial interests and the preservation of ecosystems. The influence of polychaete aquaculture on the environment and vice versa raise important concerns related to ecological security and sustainability of this activity. This review focus on the main technical improvements and advances that have been made in areas as diverse as: aquaculture potential of polychaetes, reared species, main species used worldwide, and highlights biological and ecological concerns, important challenges and recommendations.