Work

Changes in the physiology and chitin metabolism in cultured juvenile Panulirus ornatus across the moult cycle

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Crustaceans undergo periodic moulting events to facilitate growth, this is a physiological and energetically demanding process. In an aquaculture environment, crustaceans they are generally cultured in a defined space and often at high densities, where exposure to cannibalism may be greater than in the wild. Panulirus ornatus is one such emerging aquaculture candidates, moulting frequently as juveniles and providing the opportunity to investigate the relationship between physiology and genetics throughout this important developmental period. In this study, P. ornatus juveniles were assessed every three days across the seventh to eighth juvenile moult phase, sampling was divided into six distinct time points. Brix index, hepatosomatic index, and circulating ecdysone concentrations were measured across these time points. The Brix index was validated as a useful tool for assessing the moult-stages of juvenile P. ornatus. Chitin metabolism plays a key role in the moult cycle, as chitin is comprising a major portion of the crustacean exoskeleton. The investigation of physiological parameters across a moult cycle provides a basis for improving moult cycle staging in cultured P. ornatus juveniles and provides further characterisation of the changes that occur during moulting in this species.

Source: Aquaculture Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.aqrep.2024.102308