SEPIABREED - Improving the reproduction of the European cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) in captivity: a multidisciplinary approach

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Fatty acid and lipid class metabolism of common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and of European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) at early life stages

Publication . Reis, Diana Filipa Botelho; Andrade, José Pedro; Sykes, António V.; Rodriguez, Covadonga

Octopus vulgaris and Sepia officinalis are two species of cephalopods that have been recognised with a great potential for aquaculture.

2016-07-18Doctoral thesis

Open Access

Composition and metabolism of phospholipids in Octopus vulgaris and Sepia officinalis hatchlings

Publication . Reis, Diana; Acosta, Nieves G.; Almansa, Eduardo; Tocher, Douglas R.; Andrade, Jose; Sykes, António; Rodriguez, Covadonga

The objective of the present study was to characterise the fatty acid (FA) profiles of the major phospholipids, of Octopus vulgaris and Sepia officinalis hatchlings, namely phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); and to evaluate the capability of both cephalopod species on dietary phospholipid remodelling. Thus, O. vulgaris and S. officinalis hatchlings were in vivo incubated with 0.3 mu M of L-(alpha)-1-palmitoyl-2-[1-C-14]arachidonyl-PC or L-(alpha)-1-palmitoy1-2-[1-C-14]arachidonyl-PE. Octopus and cuttlefish hatchlings phospholipids showed a characteristic FA profiles with PC presenting high contents of 16:0 and 22:6n-3 (DHA); PS having high 18:0, DHA and 20:5n-3 (EPA); PI a high content of saturated FA; and PE showing high contents of DHA and EPA. Interestingly, the highest content of 20:4n-6 (ARA) was found in PE rather than PI. Irrespective of the phospholipid in which [1-C-14]ARA was initially bound (either PC or PE), the esterification pattern of [1-C-14]ARA in octopus lipids was similar to that found in their tissues with high esterification of this FA into PE. In contrast, in cuttlefish hatchlings [1-C-14]ARA was mainly recovered in the same phospholipid that was provided. These results showed a characteristic FA profiles in the major phospholipids of the two species, as well as a contrasting capability to remodel dietary phospholipids, which may suggest a difference in phospholipase activities. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2016-10Journal article

Open Access

Preliminary results on the daily and seasonal rhythms of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) locomotor activity in captivity

Publication . Oliveira, Catarina; Grano-Maldonado, Mayra; Gonçalves, Rui A.; Frias, Paulo; Sykes, António V.

Cephalopods are considered as an alternate group for aquaculture species diversification [1,2], not only because they are a good food source (highly appreciated in some worldwide markets, e.g., Portugal, Spain, Italy and Asia) and have the potential to quickly reach a market size, but also because they are considered animal models in several fields of research [3–5], and it is expected that such models are progressively obtained from bioteriums instead of being captured from nature. Despite the recent advances in culture protocols of several cephalopod species [2], there is still little information available about the biological rhythms of cephalopods in captivity. In fact, to the best of our knowledge, there are only 4 published papers concerning this theme, and these are focused on octopus species [6–9]. This issue assumes increasing importance with the enforcement of EU welfare legislation (Directive 2010/63/EU), and this information is critical for the future update of Annex III (housing conditions) for cephalopods of that Directive, and for a future update of the Guidelines for the Care and Welfare of Cephalopods in Research [10]. If it is considered that the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) may have, at the least, two different sleep‐like states [11], the importance of this study becomes even more evident.

2017Journal article

Open Access

Análise da variabilidade genética e do contributo parental em gerações sucessivas de choco cultivado, Sepia officinalis, Linnaeus 1758

Publication . Gomes, João Tiago Rodrigues; Andrade, José Pedro; Sykes, António

O choco, Sepia officinalis Linnaeus, 1758, é uma das espécies de cefalópodes mais facilmente cultivada em laboratório desde o final da década de 1960 porque apresenta um conjunto de características biológicas que a tornam altamente adequada para a cultura intensiva em larga escala. Contudo, após a produção de algumas gerações sucessivas em condições controladas, verifica-se um colapso na reprodução tendo a consanguinidade sido apontada como potencial causadora. Desta forma, no presente estudo, investigou-se a variabilidade genética em três gerações sucessivas de choco, através da análise dos marcadores moleculares microssatélites Sof1, Sof2b, Sof3c, Sof4b, Sof5, Sof6 e Sof7b, como primeiro indicador da saúde genética, seguido pela análise dos padrões da contribuição parental de forma a determinar as características de cultivo que visam manter a variabilidade genética em níveis aceitáveis, nas gerações produzidas em condições controladas. Os resultados indicam uma diminuição da variabilidade genética ao longo das três gerações através da redução do número de alelos e da heterozigotia esperada. No rácio sexual presente no sistema de cultivo de aproximadamente 2 machos para 1 fêmea, constatou-se que apenas metade dos machos conseguiram originar descendência com as fêmeas num padrão de multipaternidade, atribuído à elevada competição presente entre os machos. As causas da diminuição da variabilidade genética foram atribuídas ao possível efeito fundador presente no momento da obtenção da 1ª geração (selvagem) e na seleção dos indivíduos para as gerações seguintes, juntamente com a participação de apenas metade dos machos para o conjunto de informação genética dos progenitores.

2014Master thesis

Open Access

Refining tools for studying cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ) reproduction in captivity: in vivo sexual determination, tagging and DNA collection

Publication . Sykes, António V.; Alves, Alexandra; Capaz, Juan Carlos; Madeira, Céline; Couto, Ana T.; Gonçalves, Rui A.; Frias, Paulo A.; Leal, Irene; Andrade, José Pedro

To overcome the bottleneck of reproduction in cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis, aquaculture development, there is need for new tools or refinement of methods. While attaining low welfare impact on individuals, procedures to allow for in vivo individual sexual and maturity determination, tagging and collection of samples for high quality DNA are needed. The present study evaluated the use of an endoscope, visual implant elastomer and swabbing for each, respectively, in a set of 3 experiments that registered its effects on growth, mortality and reproduction. Results showed that all the methodologies tested herein were of easy application, did not promote injuries nor poor growth, abnormal reproduction or increased mortality. This indicates that cuttlefish would not be experiencing pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm (PSDLH), resulting from the application of these procedures and that these are therefore recommended as new standards for reproduction studies in the species.

2017Journal article

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