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The effects of stocking density on physiological traits in Holothuria forskali broodstock
Publication . Sousa, João; Félix, Pedro M.; Brito, Ana C.; Venâncio, Eliana; Silva, Francisco Azevedo e; Simões, Tomás; Raposo, Andreia; Neves, Marta; Narciso, Luís; Melo, Ricardo; Pombo, Ana
The high demand of sea cucumbers in international markets, mostly based in Asia, has
left a deep impact on the natural stock of many species, leading to an investment in
aquaculture techniques in order to mitigate these impacts. This study aimed to determine
the effects of stock density in rearing broodstock of Holothuria (Panningoturia)
forskali Delle Chiaje, 1823, a common species in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern
Atlantic with commercial value. To do so, two different density treatments were selected:
1 kg/m2 and 2 kg/m2. The trial took place over five months and individuals
were fed a mixture of frozen microalgae (Tetraselmis sp. and Phaeodactylum tricornutum).
At the end of the trial, the effects of stock density on the individuals’ condition
were assessed by analysing different variables, namely their fresh and gutted weight,
evisceration and mortality rates, gonadosomatic index and oocyte size and even biochemical content, such as protein and lipid content in muscle bands. No significant
differences were found between density treatments regarding any of the parameters
assessed, aside from mean oocyte diameter. Individuals from the lower-density treatment presented a smaller mean oocyte diameter, supplied with fewer oocytes, than
individuals in both the higher-density treatment and the baseline group. Regardless
of this one difference, all trial individuals were able to maintain their elevated gonadal
developmental stage for a full period of five months past their reproductive peak,
with female holothurians subjected to the higher-density treatment showing signs of
increasing vitellogenic reserves, a considerable advantage in aquaculture broodstock
rearing.
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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
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Investigador FCT
Funding Award Number
IF/00331/2013/CP1159/CT0001