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Journal of the Science of Food and... Jul 2021Rice-crayfish coculture (RC) uses 10% of the paddy field area for crayfish ditches, with rice cultivated in the remaining area, providing staple carbohydrates alongside... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rice-crayfish coculture (RC) uses 10% of the paddy field area for crayfish ditches, with rice cultivated in the remaining area, providing staple carbohydrates alongside fish rich in protein and essential oils. These systems rely on complex interactions, involving nutrient cycling, fish feeding, soil physicochemical modification, and insect-pest predation, and have important socio-economic effects. Past studies have considered only one or a few of these aspects pertinent to food system sustainability, and there remains a need for an integrated assessment of RC systems. In this mini-review, we collate data from two field experiments and three field surveys published across eight papers to synthesize the overall sustainability of RC systems in Jianghan Plain in China.
RESULTS
In deep groundwater fields, the RC rice yield was 30-55% lower than for typical rice-rapeseed (RR) rotations, while CH emission and pesticide use were 41-96% and 50% lower, respectively. In shallow groundwater fields, RC rice yield was similar to typical rice monoculture (RM) cultivation, while CH emission and pesticide use were 28-41% and 17% lower for RC cultivation. Field survey data indicated that RC can improve soil nutrient and organic matter content significantly compared with RM cultivation, and also increase the diversity of fauna and flora in the paddy field whilst reducing the incidence of chilo suppressalis (a major rice pest). Feed inputs to RC systems increased crayfish yield by 31-71% and reduced the fraction of N inputs lost to the environment from 71% to 41%.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that RC systems with feed inputs in areas with shallow groundwater can deliver improved food security, sustainability, and resilience through ecological intensification. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; China; Coculture Techniques; Crop Production; Oryza
PubMed: 33336495
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11019 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023In invertebrates, hemocytes are the key factors in innate immunity. However, the types of invertebrate immune hemocytes are unclassified due to the limitation of...
In invertebrates, hemocytes are the key factors in innate immunity. However, the types of invertebrate immune hemocytes are unclassified due to the limitation of morphological classification. To determine the immune hemocytes of crustaceans, the heterogeneity of hemocytes of shrimp and crayfish , two representative crustacean species, were characterized in this study. The results of single-cell RNA sequencing indicated that shrimp and crayfish contained 11 and 12 types of hemocytes, respectively. Each of different types of hemocytes specifically expressed the potential marker genes. Based on the responses of shrimp and crayfish to the infection of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and the challenge of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), four types of immune hemocytes of crustaceans were classified, including semi-granular hemocytes involved in antimicrobial peptide production, granular hemocytes responsible for the production of antimicrobial peptides, hemocytes related to cell proliferation and hemocytes in immunity-activated state. Therefore, our study provided the first classification of crustacean hemocytes as well as of immune hemocytes of crustaceans at the single-cell resolution, which would be helpful to understand the innate immunity of invertebrates.
Topics: Animals; Hemocytes; Immunity, Innate; Astacoidea; White spot syndrome virus 1; Penaeidae
PubMed: 36761772
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1121528 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Jun 2022Tumor suppressing transcription factor p53 regulates multiple pathways including DNA repair, cell survival, apoptosis and autophagy. Here, we studied the stress-induced...
Tumor suppressing transcription factor p53 regulates multiple pathways including DNA repair, cell survival, apoptosis and autophagy. Here, we studied the stress-induced activation of p53 in anoxic crayfish (Faxonius virilis). Relative levels of target proteins and mRNAs involved in the DNA damage response were measured in normoxic control and anoxic hepatopancreas and tail muscle. Phosphorylation levels of p53 were assessed using immunoblotting at sites known to be phosphorylated (serine 15 and 37) in response to DNA damage or reduced oxygen signaling. The capacity for DNA binding by phosphorylated p53 (p-p53) was also measured, followed by transcript analysis of a potentially pro-apoptotic downstream target, the etoposide induced (ei24) gene. Following this, both inhibitor (MDM2) and activator (p19-ARF) protein levels in response to low-oxygen stress were studied. The results showed an increase in p-p53 levels during anoxia in both hepatopancreas and tail muscle. Increased transcript levels of ei24 support the activation of p53 under anoxic stress. Cytoplasmic accumulation of Ser15 phosphorylated p53 was observed during anoxia when proteins from cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions were measured. Increased cytoplasmic concentration is known to initiate an apoptotic response, which can be assumed as a preparatory step to prevent autophagy. The results suggest that p53 might play a protective role in crayfish defense against low-oxygen stress. Understanding how anoxia-tolerant organisms are able to protect themselves against DNA damage could provide important clues towards survival under metabolic rate depression and preparation for recovery to minimize damage.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; DNA Damage; Fresh Water; Hypoxia; Oxygen; Phosphorylation; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
PubMed: 35574675
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244145 -
The Science of the Total Environment Mar 2023Cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim are commonly used herbicides in rice-crayfish co-culture fields. In actual production, weed control in paddy fields is inseparable from...
Cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim are commonly used herbicides in rice-crayfish co-culture fields. In actual production, weed control in paddy fields is inseparable from cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim, while its risk to P. clarkii is still unclear. The present study investigated the risk of acute and subchronic toxicity of cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim to P. clarkii. The results showed that cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim exposure for 28 days could accumulate in P. clarkii muscle and inhibit P. clarkii growth. Further research found that the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in muscle of P. clarkii were significantly increased after exposure to cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim (4 days and 28 days), and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly altered. Histological results also confirmed cyhalofop-butyl and pyribenzoxim-induced muscle damage in P. clarkii. Additionally, after 28 days exposure to 1.02 mg/L cyhalofop-butyl and 10.4 mg/L pyribenzoxim, transcriptome analysis identified 2029 and 4246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Exposure to 1.02 mg/L cyhalofop-butyl significantly altered metabolism-related pathways, such as drug metabolism-other enzymes, glutathione metabolism, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation. While the pathways related to antioxidant system and nutrient substances synthesis and metabolic were significantly enriched after exposure to 10.4 mg/L pyribenzoxim. This research has significant implications for scientific and rational use of herbicides under rice-crayfish co-culture and will contribute to the development of the highly productive agricultural model.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Transcriptome; Oxidative Stress; Herbicides; Antioxidants; Glutathione; Muscles; Fatty Acids
PubMed: 36572293
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161170 -
Developmental and Comparative Immunology Jan 2022The much-publicised increased resistance of pathogenic bacteria to conventional antibiotics has focused research effort on the characterization of new antimicrobial... (Review)
Review
The much-publicised increased resistance of pathogenic bacteria to conventional antibiotics has focused research effort on the characterization of new antimicrobial drugs. In this context, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) extracted from animals are considered a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. In recent years, freshwater crayfish species have emerged as an important source of bioactive compounds. In fact, these invertebrates rely on an innate immune system based on cellular responses and on the production of important effectors in the haemolymph, such as AMPs, which are produced and stored in granules in haemocytes and released after stimulation. These effectors are active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this review, we summarise the recent progress on AMPs isolated from the several species of freshwater crayfish and their prospects for future pharmaceutical applications to combat infectious agents.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Antimicrobial Peptides; Astacoidea; Fresh Water; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria
PubMed: 34530039
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104258 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2021Despite the central role of hemocytes in crustacean immunity, the process of hemocyte differentiation and maturation remains unclear. In some decapods, it has been...
Despite the central role of hemocytes in crustacean immunity, the process of hemocyte differentiation and maturation remains unclear. In some decapods, it has been proposed that the two main types of hemocytes, granular cells (GCs) and semigranular cells (SGCs), differentiate along separate lineages. However, our current findings challenge this model. By tracking newly produced hemocytes and transplanted cells, we demonstrate that almost all the circulating hemocytes of crayfish belong to the GC lineage. SGCs and GCs may represent hemocytes of different developmental stages rather than two types of fully differentiated cells. Hemocyte precursors produced by progenitor cells differentiate in the hematopoietic tissue (HPT) for 3 ~ 4 days. Immature hemocytes are released from HPT in the form of SGCs and take 1 ~ 3 months to mature in the circulation. GCs represent the terminal stage of development. They can survive for as long as 2 months. The changes in the expression pattern of marker genes during GC differentiation support our conclusions. Further analysis of hemocyte phagocytosis indicates the existence of functionally different subpopulations. These findings may reshape our understanding of crustacean hematopoiesis and may lead to reconsideration of the roles and relationship of circulating hemocytes.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Female; Flow Cytometry; Hematopoiesis; Hemocytes; Male; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 34162929
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92473-9 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Feb 2022Procambarus clarkii (crayfish) accumulates a high concentration of Arsenic (As) from the aquatic environment and causes considerable human health risks. In this study,...
Procambarus clarkii (crayfish) accumulates a high concentration of Arsenic (As) from the aquatic environment and causes considerable human health risks. In this study, Limosilactobacillus fermentum GR-3 strain was isolated from "Jiangshui" and applied for As(III) adsorption and antioxidant abilities. Strain GR-3 removed 50.67% of 50 mg/L As(III) and exhibited the high antioxidant potential of DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) (87.63%) and hydroxyl radical (74.51%) scavenging rate in vitro. P. clarkii was feed with strain GR-3, the results showed that As(III) concentration reduced, and residual level in hepatopancreas was decreased by 36%, compared to As(III)-exposed group (control). Gut microbial sequencing showed that strain GR-3 restores gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by As(III) exposure. Further application in the field scale was performed and revealed a decrease in As(III) accumulation and increasing 50% aquaculture production of the total output. In summary, feed-additive probiotic is recommended as a novel strategy to minimize aquaculture foods toxicity and safe human health.
Topics: Animals; Arsenic; Astacoidea; Hepatopancreas; Humans; Limosilactobacillus fermentum; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 35065503
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113216 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Feb 2021The potential environmental risk associated with nutrient surplus after switching from rice monoculture (RM) to rice-crayfish rotation (RCR) was assessed in the Jianghan...
The potential environmental risk associated with nutrient surplus after switching from rice monoculture (RM) to rice-crayfish rotation (RCR) was assessed in the Jianghan Plains in China. Nutrient surplus was achieved by surveying 32 RM and 69 RCR and determining their nutrient inputs and outputs, and the soil nutrient status for different soil properties were recorded for 0-23 years. The annual average input of N, PO, and KO in RCR was 536, 185, and 253 kg ha, respectively, wherein fertilizer and feed accounted for the major fraction of the total nutrient input. For instance, they accounted 58% and 18% of N, 74% and 24% of PO, and 70% and 30% of KO, respectively. The annual apparent surplus of N, PO, and KO was 397, 145, and 225 kg ha, respectively, leading to low apparent nutrient use efficiency. Consequently, compared with RM, the total N and soil readily oxidized organic carbon in the upper soil surface (0-20 cm) for the RCR field significantly increased by 0.42-0.96 g kg and 1.63-3.19 g kg, respectively. The available N, Olsen P, and exchangeable K of the RCR in the upper soil layer also increased significantly. In the RCR system, a significant positive linear relationship between the apparent accumulated nutrient surplus of N, P, and K elements and the total N, Olsen P, and exchangeable K present in the 0-60 cm soil profile was observed. In RCR, the soil pH in 0-60 cm soil profile and cation exchange capacity in the 0-20 cm soil layer increased as the cultivation time progressed. Nutrient accumulation in the soil not only enhanced soil fertility but also negatively influenced the environment. Therefore, several measures (e.g., new fertilization technologies, new fertilizer, legislation approaches for nutrient surplus, and technical training) should be adopted to control the nutrient surplus.
Topics: Agriculture; Animals; Astacoidea; China; Fertilizers; Nitrogen; Nutrients; Oryza; Rotation; Soil
PubMed: 33418287
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116367 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2020In Japan, there are concerns that invasive alien raccoons prey on rare native species during their spawning season from late winter to early summer. We investigated...
In Japan, there are concerns that invasive alien raccoons prey on rare native species during their spawning season from late winter to early summer. We investigated raccoon predation impact by examining the predation presence using DNA metabarcoding and extent of predation on rare native species using stable isotope analysis. We captured raccoons in Hokkaido, Japan from April to August in 2018 and 2019. We analysed raccoon faeces and gastric contents by DNA metabarcoding to detect the rare native Hokkaido salamander and Japanese crayfish. Hokkaido salamanders were detected from gastric contents, but Japanese crayfish were not detected in any samples. Stable isotope analysis of raccoon muscle samples and the Bayesian mixing model were used to estimate each food resource's contribution to the raccoon diet. Animal food resources accounted for 70% of total consumed food. The foraging ratios of amphibians and crustaceans were about 9% and 5%, respectively. Raccoons have been found to use amphibians at a higher rate than previously reported, including a rare endangered species, the Hokkaido salamander. Hokkaido salamander and Japanese crayfish spawn in the spring, and increased predation pressure by raccoons may directly impact populations of these rare native species.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Bayes Theorem; Endangered Species; Japan; Predatory Behavior; Raccoons; Seasons; Urodela
PubMed: 33257676
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77016-y -
The Journal of Animal Ecology Nov 2023The realised ecological niches of species may change in response to dynamic abiotic and biotic environments, particularly under fast global change. To fully understand...
The realised ecological niches of species may change in response to dynamic abiotic and biotic environments, particularly under fast global change. To fully understand the dynamics of niche features and their drivers, it is essential to have a long-term view of species distributions and the factors that may have influenced them. Here, we analysed the distribution and niche dynamics of the Italian crayfish (Austropotamobius fulcisianus) in the Iberian Peninsula over the past 200 years. The Italian crayfish was introduced to Spain in the 16th century, and spread due to multiple stocking events until the 1970s, when two North American crayfish (red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, and signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus) were introduced. Both North American species are carriers of a pathogen (Aphanomyces astaci, the causal agent of crayfish plague) lethal to the Italian crayfish. We hypothesised that the realised niche of the Italian crayfish, both in breadth and in position, has changed over time following changes in its range. The distribution of the Italian crayfish expanded from the mid-19th century until the mid-20th century, in association with an enlargement of its realised niched, mostly towards less abrupt and more coastal-influenced areas. After the introduction of the North American crayfishes, the collapse of the Italian crayfish involved a niche shift towards rough terrains in mountain areas. North American crayfish have eventually occupied most of the Italian crayfish's niche space, with the few no-coexistence areas being relegated to the most abrupt and high-elevation territories. Our historical approach allowed us to document and understand the highly dynamic distribution and niche of the Italian crayfish in the presence of invader counterparts, and to explore the environmental conditions under which their coexistence is minimised.
Topics: Animals; Astacoidea; Europe; Spain; Aphanomyces; Ecosystem
PubMed: 37731343
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14007