Browsing by Author "Dinis, Maria Teresa"
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- Age and growth of megrim, Lepidorhombus boscii, Risso of the portuguese continental coastPublication . Castilho, Rita; Dinis, Maria Teresa; Erzini, KarimThe first study of age and growth of four-spotted scaldfish, more commonly known as megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii, Risso), an important (by catch ) species of the Portuguese trawl fishery from the Atlantic coast is presented. The analysis was based on data obtained from a total of 609 specimens sampled between 1985 and 1986. Otoliths were used for age determination. The Von Bertalanf~, growth parameters were estimated using the non-linear fitting method: Lt (females)=440[ 1 -e -°-14(t+ 1.32) ] and Lt= 375 [ 1 -e -°~4(t+ 1.93) ] for males. L~ and to values are significantly different. The megrim grows allometrically (slope of length-weight regressions > 3 ). Females live longer and gain weight at a faster rate than males. Differences in growth between sexes become more apparent from the second year onwards.
- Amino acid pools of rotifers and Artemia under different conditions: Nutritional implications for fish larvaePublication . Aragão, C.; Conceição, L. E. C.; Dinis, Maria Teresa; Fyhn, H. -J.The rearing of most marine fish species still relies on live food. Amino acids (AA) are the building blocks for protein synthesis, are important energy substrates, and are involved in specific physiological functions. Thus, the AA pools (free and protein-bound) of the rotifer Brachionus rotundiformis and of Artemia parthenogenetica metanauplii were analysed, after enrichment with different diets or at different salinities. The changes in these pools were related to their impact when used as feed for the developing fish larvae. Rotifers and Artemia were enriched for 24 h in microalgae, in commercial diets, or starved for the same time period. The enrichment at different salinities was also tested using Artemia. The free AA (FAA) quantity and quality was strongly affected by the enrichment used, in both rotifers and Artemia metanauplii. The relative FAA content was significantly higher in rotifers and Artemia enriched with microalgae than in the ones enriched with commercial products, and between the different microalgae tested, the enrichment in T. chui resulted in the highest FAA content for both preys. Differences regarding the FAA quantity and quality were also found between rotifers and Artemia. With the exception of the starved preys, a higher relative FAA content was found in rotifers than in Artemia metanauplii and while the FAA pool of the rotifers was dominated by alanine, taurine was the dominant AA in the FAA pool of Artemia. Salinity had only a small effect on the FAA pool of Artemia. Concerning the protein fraction, starvation increased the relative protein content in the rotifers. Among the metanauplii, the relative protein content was affected neither by the enrichment nor by salinity, except for a significantly lower content found when the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana was used. The quality of the protein pool is affected by the different enrichments, but not by salinity. However, the changes in the protein-bound AA pool were less pronounced than for the FAA pool and reflect differences in the protein content and/or quality of the diet. This study showed that the AA composition of cultured zooplankton is affected by feeding regime and by salinity. The choice of the best zooplankton enrichment and/or mixture of enrichments for the different fish larval stages, should take into account the AA composition, in order to fulfil the energetic and nutritional requirements of the larvae.
- Assimilation and catabolism of dispensable and indispensable free amino acids in post-larval Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis)Publication . Rønnestad, I.; Conceição, L. E. C.; Aragão, C.; Dinis, Maria TeresaThe postprandial metabolism of dietary free amino acids (AA) was studied in post-larval Senegal sole, Solea senegalensis, aged 32 days after hatching (DAH). The diet was administered as a single pulse (36 nl, 43.1 mmol/l) using a micro tube-feeding technique and a dissolved mixture of crystalline AA. In four separate treatments the diet contained L [U-14C] tracer for two indispensable AA (IAA), lysine and arginine or two dispensable amino acids (DAA), glutamate and alanine. The post-larva absorbed all tested AA from the diet with similar efficiency (97.5%). A small fraction of the IAA was catabolised (11.5±1.1 and 15.1±3.3%, for lysine and arginine, respectively) and a high proportion was retained in the body (86.7±1.3 and 81.6±4.1%). For the DAA more were catabolised (64.9±5.3% and 41.4±7.2% for glutamate and alanine, respectively) and less were retained (32.9±5.1% and 56.3±7.2%). On this basis, it appears that post-larval Senegal sole use DAA in preference to IAA as energy substrates while the retention (assimilation efficiency) is better for the IAA. These results support other recent studies that early stages of fish have a better capacity to regulate AA catabolism than previously believed and that indispensable AA are saved for body growth.
- A balanced dietary amino acid profile improves amino acid retention in post-larval Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)Publication . Aragão, C.; Conceição, L. E. C.; Martins, Dulce Alves; Rønnestad, I.; Gomes, E.; Dinis, Maria TeresaThe rearing of most marine fish larvae still relies on live food. Dietary amino acid (AA) imbalances when using live food in the larval rearing of flatfishes have been suggested. The aim of this study was to test if dietary AA supplementation affects AA metabolism in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) post-larvae. This was done by tube-feeding Artemia-fed sole with a dipeptide solution containing two potential limiting AA (leucine and phenylalanine), in order to supplement the larval gut content and to balance the dietary AA profile.
- Bopyrid isopods do not castrate the simultaneously hermaphroditic shrimp Lysmata amboinensis (Decapoda : Hippolytidae)Publication . Calado, Ricardo; Vitorino, Antonio; Dinis, Maria TeresaThis study evaluates possible parasitic castration induced by a bopyrid isopod of the genus Parabopyrella, which parasitizes the branchial chamber of the simultaneously hermaphroditic shrimp Lysmata amboinensis. Parasitized shrimp (PS) carried embryos and produced significantly fewer larvae (mean +/- SD: 363 +/- 102; p = 0.002) than formerly parasitized shrimp (FPS) (1297 +/- 143) and unparasitized shrimp (US) paired with other US (1409 +/- 102), with PS (1362 +/- 234) or with FPS (1384 +/- 157). Starvation trials revealed no significant differences in the quality of larvae produced by PS, FPS and US paired with other US, PS and FPS. Host embryo production is only quantitatively, not qualitatively, affected, probably due to nutritional drain and/or endocrine disruption caused by the parasite. The host male sexual system remains fully functional and 'reproductive death' does not occur. The feminization of pleopods that prevents parasitized males of gonochoric species from successfully copulating seems to have no effect on L. seticaudata: pleopods are always feminized during their transition from male to simultaneous hermaphrodite phase, with adults being able to successfully fertilize broods. Parabopyrella sp. significantly affects the female sexual system of its host, but does not cause castration, as recorded for L. seticaudata parasitized by the bopyrid isopod Eophryxus lysmatae (an abdominal parasite).
- Can dietary aromatic amino acid supplementation be beneficial during fish metamorphosis?Publication . Pinto, W.; Rodrigues, V.; Dinis, Maria Teresa; Aragão, C.Aromatic amino acids (AA, phenylalanine and tyrosine) are the precursors of thyroid hormones, which regulate metamorphosis in all vertebrates. In fish, this is a critical developmental stage where physiological requirements for aromatic AA may increase. Therefore, it is possible that dietary aromatic AA supplementation may be beneficial to accomplish a successful transition from larvae to the juvenile stage. This work aimed to assess the effect of dietary aromatic AA supplementation on tyrosine metabolism in species with an accentuated (Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis) and a less marked (gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata) metamorphosis. For this purpose, either species were fed Artemia and subsequently received or not an aromatic AA supplement through tube-feeding, together with a L-[U-14C] tyrosine marker, throughout metamorphosis. Tyrosine was elected as a tracer since the metabolic fate of this aromatic AA is directly linked to the production of thyroid hormones and metamorphosis. Results showed that dietary phenylalanine supplementation did not increase tyrosine retention in Senegalese sole larvae during metamorphosis, suggesting that this species may not be able to biosynthesise tyrosine from phenylalanine at a sufficient rate to supply its physiological requirements until after metamorphosis. Furthermore, dietary tyrosine supplementation effectively increased tyrosine availability in Senegalese sole body fluids at metamorphosis, most likely for coping with metamorphosis-related processes, such as production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, dietary tyrosine supplementation may be beneficial for Senegalese sole during metamorphosis. On the other hand, results indicated that gilthead seabream larvae do not seem to require an additional supply of aromatic AA during metamorphosis, probably because the physiological requirements for tyrosine do not increase during this developmental stage. The different results observed for Senegalese sole and gilthead seabream are probably related to the complexity of metamorphosis that each species undergoes and to the needs for production of thyroid hormones, which seems to affect aromatic AA requirements during this critical stage of development. These findings may be important for physiologists, fish nutritionists and for the flatfish aquaculture industry.
- Changes in plasma amino acid levels in a euryhaline fish exposed to different environmental salinitiesPublication . Aragão, C.; Costas, B.; Vargas-Chacoff, L.; Ruiz-Jarabo, I.; Dinis, Maria Teresa; Mancera, J. M.; Conceição, L. E. C.Previous studies have shown that Senegalese sole is partially euryhaline in the juvenile phase, being able to adapt to a wide range of salinities in a short-time period, due to changes at the osmoregulatory and metabolic level. This study aimed to assess the effects of acclimation of sole to a wide range of salinities, with a special emphasis on the role of plasma amino acids during this process. Sole juveniles were acclimated for 2 weeks to different salinities: 5, 15, 25, 38, and 55 g L−1. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, osmolality, and free amino acids were assessed at the end. Changes in plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, and amino acids indicate that fish reared at 5 and 55 g L−1 were facing extra energy costs. Amino acids seem to play an important role during salinity acclimation, either as energy sources or as important osmolytes for cell volume regulation.
- Characterization of spawning rhythms of a sparidae aquaculture species, the white seabream (Diplodus sargus), in the south of PortugalPublication . Santos, Cátia; Soares, Florbela; Candeias-Mendes, Ana; Pousão‐Ferreira, Pedro; Dinis, Maria Teresa; Oliveira, CatarinaOne of the most visible features of fish reproduction is seasonality; however, daily rhythmicity is present in most species and should not be disregarded. This study investigated the seasonal and daily spawning rhythms of the white seabream (Diplodus sargus) in captivity, and a possible endogenous control of the daily rhythm. Spawns were monitored daily, during an entire reproductive season by using an automatic and programmable egg collector. The spawning season lasted 5 months, from January until June, when temperatures oscillated between 11.5 and 24.4 degrees C. Female fecundity was higher between 17.5 and 20.4 degrees C, suggesting a temperature influence in spawning. This species showed a very clear daily spawning rhythm (Cosinor analysis, p < 0.001), strongly related with photoperiod. Eggs started to be released at sunset and peaked around 21:00 h. Egg quality parameters also changed along the spawning period, with viability and hatching rates, increasing towards the end of the night period. The spawning rhythm persisted (Cosinor analysis, p < 0.001) for 5 days under constant light conditions, suggesting the presence of an endogenous clock mechanism which controlled this circadian pattern. The present results represent an advantage for the optimization of egg production protocols in this species, and an added value to the current knowledge of marine fish physiology.
- Cloning, tissue and ontogenetic expression of the taurine transporter in the flatfish Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis)Publication . Pinto, W.; Rønnestad, I.; Jordal, A. E. O.; Dinis, Maria Teresa; Aragão, C.Flatfish species seem to require dietary taurine for normal growth and development. Although dietary taurine supplementation has been recommended for flatfish, little is known about the mechanisms of taurine absorption in the digestive tract of flatfish throughout ontogeny. This study described the cloning and ontogenetic expression of the taurine transporter (TauT) in the flatfish Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). Results showed a high similarity between TauT in Senegalese sole and other vertebrates, but a change in TauT amino acid sequences indicates that taurine transport may differ between mammals and fish, reptiles or birds. Moreover, results showed that Senegalese sole metamorphosis is an important developmental trigger to promote taurine transport in larvae, especially in muscle tissues, which may be important for larval growth. Results also indicated that the capacity to uptake dietary taurine in the digestive tract is already established in larvae at the onset of metamorphosis. In Senegalese sole juveniles, TauT expression was highest in brain, heart and eye. These are organs where taurine is usually found in high concentrations and is believed to play important biological roles. In the digestive tract of juveniles, TauT was more expressed in stomach and hindgut, indicating that dietary taurine is quickly absorbed when digestion begins and taurine endogenously used for bile salt conjugation may be recycled at the posterior end of the digestive tract. Therefore, these results suggest an enterohepatic recycling pathway for taurine in Senegalese sole, a process that may be important for maintenance of the taurine body levels in flatfish species.
- Co-feeding in Senegalese sole larvae with inert diet from mouth opening promotes growth at weaningPublication . Engrola, S.; Figueira, L.; Conceição, L. E. C.; Gavaia, Paulo J.; Ribeiro, Laura; Dinis, Maria TeresaThe aim of this study was to determine if sole larvae co-fed with inert diet at mouth opening would perform better than larvae fed with live prey and if such a feeding regime would produce better quality juveniles. The experiment was separated in to two phases: pelagic and benthic. In the pelagic phase, treatments consisted of the standard feeding regime (rotifer and Artemia feeding), the standard feeding regime and inert diet, and rotifer for a longer period than the standard feeding regime until larvae reached 9 days after hatching (DAH). By the end of the pelagic phase, when the postlarvae were 20 DAH, sole that were co-fed with inert diet from mouth opening, were significantly smaller in weight than postlarvae fed exclusively with live prey. Sole digestive maturation was improved by co-feeding the inert diet. Survival rates, skeletal deformities and quality evaluation were not affected by the feeding regimes. In the benthic phase, the postlarvae from standard feeding regime (pelagic phase) were separated in to two treatments: standard live Artemia metanauplii until weaning and standard frozen Artemia metanauplii until weaning. Remaining treatments were the follow up of treatments from the pelagic phase. At the end of the experiment i.e. 68 DAH, the postlarvae co-fed with inert diet from mouth opening were significantly larger than all the postlarvae from remaining feeding regimes. The results of the present study demonstrate that it is possible to offer inert diet to sole at mouth opening in a co-feeding regime and to produce better quality postlarvae. Co-fed sole were larger and had a better tail condition at the end of the weaning.