Hydrobiology

12 pages, 1913 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hatchery-Imposed Selection Does Not Impact the Genetic Diversity of Australian Farmed Blue Mussels (Mytilus spp.)

by Georgina Bramwell, Emi S. Ab Rahim, Aaron G. Schultz, Antoine M. Dujon, Kim Weston, Brett A. Ingram, Sam Jahangard, Frédéric Thomas, Beata Ujvari and Craig D. H. Sherman

Hydrobiology 2024, 3(1), 51-62; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology3010004 - 02 Mar 2024

Viewed by 645

Abstract

Australian blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) are an increasingly important sustainable product of the Australian aquaculture industry. Although important for commercial fisheries, aquaculture may have adverse environmental and ecological impacts. This study assessed the impact of standard hatchery-imposed selection practices on the genetic diversity of farmed blue mussels. Using microsatellite markers, relatedness and genetic structure analyses showed that hatchery-reared larvae have high levels of genetic diversity without a significant decline as they move through the hatchery rearing process. Selection and/or genetic drift does appear to be operating during the hatchery rearing process, however, evidenced by an increase in relatedness among larvae over time. Significant shifts in allele frequency as well as genetic clusters provides further evidence that selection is acting on larvae due to the selection practice applied at the hatchery. Comparison of the level of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of adults from wild and farmed populations provided no evidence that farmed mussels have lower diversity, or that they are genetically swamping local natural populations. The data suggest that careful design and implementation of mussel breeding programs can maintain high genetic diversity among larvae that does not lead to genetic swamping of natural mussel populations in the surrounding area. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3894 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Devil Firefish Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828): Life History Traits of a Potential Fishing Resource in Rhodes (Eastern Mediterranean)

by Gerasimos Kondylatos, Alexandros Theocharis, Manolis Mandalakis, Maria Avgoustinaki, Teodora Karagyaurova, Zoi Koulocheri, Sofia Vardali and Dimitris Klaoudatos

Hydrobiology 2024, 3(1), 31-50; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology3010003 - 28 Feb 2024

Viewed by 971

Abstract

The devil firefish Pterois miles (Bennett 1828) is recognized as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species (IAS) in the Mediterranean Sea with significant socioeconomic and ecological implications. A total of 363 individuals were collected between April 2021 and March 2022 from the Levantine Sea (the Eastern Mediterranean), aiming to assess the current progression of the population. The male to female ratio (1:1.03) did not significantly depart from 1:1, with length–weight relationships exhibiting positive allometric growth. Five age groups were identified, with the third and fourth age groups being the predominant (74% of the population). The highest reproductive intensity was observed during summer followed by autumn. The onset of sexual maturity (L₅₀) for the total population was estimated at 22.44 cm in total length (2.1 years). The asymptotic length was estimated at 45.35 cm for the total population, with males growing larger than females. Longevity was estimated at 14.4 years for the total population. The inflection point was estimated at 4.31 years for the total population. Length with a 50% probability of capture (LC₅₀) was estimated at 23.03 cm, with the respective age (t₅₀) of 2.2 years. The exploitation rate (E = 0.48) indicated that the population is underexploited. The optimum (F_opt) and target (F_lim) fishing mortality were higher in comparison with the present fishing mortality (F = 0.41), indicating a potential for commercial exploitation of the species. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1495 KiB

Open AccessReview

Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms: Going beyond the “Green” to Monitor and Predict HCBs

by Daniela R. de Figueiredo

Hydrobiology 2024, 3(1), 11-30; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology3010002 - 02 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1142

Abstract

Under the Climate Change scenario, the occurrence of Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms (HCBs) is an increasingly concerning problem. Particularly for inland freshwaters, that have human populations depending on them for consumption or recreation, HCBs can lead to serious ecological damages and socio-economic impacts, but also to health risks for local communities. From satellite imagery to molecular data, there is an increasing number of methodological approaches that can help improve the monitoring and prediction of cyanobacterial blooms. However, although each methodology has its own strengths and limitations, generally there is a lack of data addressing specific and intraspecific information, which has implications for the modelling and prediction of the real dynamics and toxicity of HCBs. The present review intends to make a quick overview on current approaches to monitor cyanobacterial blooms and provide a tier-based integrative perspective for their application. A transversal monitoring at a wide scale should be enhanced but cannot rely only on pigment levels but rather include the specific and intraspecific diversity information that can be obtained from modern molecular tools. This is crucial to achieve the effective prediction, monitoring and management of HCBs under their increasing occurrence and severity trends in freshwaters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Hydrobiology 2022–2023)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 2167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Fresh to Salt Waters: First Reports of the Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) in Mediterranean Marine Waters

by Alessandro Nota, Alfredo Santovito, Raffaele Gattelli and Francesco Tiralongo

Hydrobiology 2024, 3(1), 1-10; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrobiology3010001 - 24 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1717

Abstract

The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), native to the southern/southeastern United States and northern Mexico, has been introduced in many countries worldwide. The species has a remarkable invasiveness due to its high reproductive rate and ability to tolerate broad ranges of water parameters like salinity. Nevertheless, no consistent observations of P. clarkii have been reported in the marine environment until now. Data demonstrating the presence of the crayfish within marine ecosystems were collected by a personal acquaintance and two volunteers who published photos of the species on Facebook marine biology and fishing groups. The species was identified based on photos taken by these people in the described areas. P. clarkii has been spotted in three different localities, in two of which observations are recurrent. The species can survive miles from the nearest freshwater stream and could potentially colonise marine waters at depths up to 20 m. The multiple observations of P. clarkii collected in our study uncover a persistent presence of the species within some marine areas, rather than its mere sporadic occurrence. Our results highlight the need for further investigation to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the crayfish’s ability to withstand salinity and colonise the marine environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Hydrobiology 2022–2023)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Hydrobiology, Volume 3, Issue 1 (March 2024) – 4 articles

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI