Using Sr isotopes to trace the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs

Identifying the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs is important for food safety and fair market competition.In this study,we used strontium(Sr) isotopes as a tool to trace the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs.Chinese mitten crabs,water,and different types of crab feed were collected from four different lakes for Sr isotope analyses.The results showed that the Sr isotope compositions of the different parts from one single crab were consistent within error,indicating that any piece of a crab could be used to represent the Sr isotope characteristics of the whole crab.The Sr isotope compositions of Chinese mitten crabs from the same lake were consistent within the analytical error,and the values were similar to the Sr isotope composition of the water from the same lake.However,the Sr isotope compositions of water and crabs from different lakes are significantly different.Therefore,the Sr isotope compositions of Chinese mitten crabs are mainly controlled by lake water composition,while the impact of feed is limited.This study provides an effective method for tracing the geographic origins of Chinese mitten crabs.

Impact of three different processing methods on the digestibility and allergenicity of Chinese mitten crab(Eriocheir sinensis)tropomyosin

The tropomyosin(TM)fractions of crab protems may cause allergic reactions in mdividuals susceptible to allergies;however,efficient and safe methods by which to reduce such allergenicity are not currently available.Therefore,in this study,the effects of three different processing methods,i.e.,microwave,ultrasound,and high temperature-pressure(HTP)treatments,on the digestion stability of TM from Chinese mitten crab muscle and the allergenicity of TM digestion products were explored.sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that microwaving had little effect on the digestion stability of TM.In contrast,ultrasound and HTP treatments facilitated the degradation of TM.Similarly,Western blotting and inhibition ELISA indicated that the IgE-binding activity of TM was significantly reduced after treatment with ultrasound or HTP.Among the three different proces sing methods,HTP was the most effective method for improving digestibility of TM and reducing immunoreactivity.This finding provides new insights into treatments for crab allergies.

An Experimental Study on the Gait Patterns and Kinematics of Chinese Mitten Crabs

Despite the many studies on eight-legged animals and the importance of their mechanics of terrestrial locomotion, the mechanical energy of crabs in voluntary locomotion on uneven, unpredictable terrain surfaces has received little attention thus far. In this paper, motion video images of Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis Milne-Edwards） locomotion on five types of terrains were recorded using a high-speed three-dimensional （3D） recording video system. The typical variables of locomotion such as gait patterns, duty factor, mechanical energy of the mass center, mass-specific write of the total mechanical power of the mass center, and percentage recovery, were analyzed. Results show that the Chinese mitten crab uses random gaits instead of the alternating tetrapod gait with the increasing terrain roughness. The duty factors of the rows of the leading legs are greater for all terrains than those of the rows of the trailing legs. On smooth terrain, the duty factors of the rows of the trailing legs are greater than that on rough terrains. Kinematic measurements and calculations reveal that similar to mammals, birds, and arthropods, the Chinese mitten crab uses two fundamental gaits to save mechanical energy： the inverted pendulum gait and the bouncing gait. The bouncing gait is the main pattern of mechanical energy conservation. The low probability of injury and energy expenditure due to adaptations to various terrains induce the Chinese mitten crab to modify the mass-specific rate of the total mechanical power of the mass center. The statistical results of percentage recovery also reveal that the Chinese mitten crab has lower energy recovery efficiency over rough terrains compared with smooth terrains.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis） has higher commercial value as food source than any other species of Eriocheir in China. To evaluate the germplasm resources and characterize the genetic diversity and population structure of the crabs in different water systems, two stocks and two farming populations were assessed with 25 polymorphic microsallite loci available in public GenBank. Basic statistics showed that the average observed heterozygosity （Ho） amongst populations ranged from 0.5789 to 0.6824. However, a remarkable presence of inbreeding and heterozygote deficiencies were observed. To analyze population structure, pairwise FST coefficients explained only -10.3% variability from the subdivision of mitten crab populations, the remaining variability stems from the subdivision within subpopulations. Although the four populations had slight differentiation, different allelic frequencies resulted in distinct population structures. Two stocks and one farming population were clustered together to the phylogenetic branch of Yangtze crab, with an approximate membership of 95%. Whereas, another farming population was clustered singly to the phylogenetic branch of the Liaohe crab, with a membership of 97.1%. The tests for individual admixture showed that Yangtze crab had probably been contaminated with individuals from other water systems. Genetic relationships between populations also supported the conclusion that Yangtze crab and Liaohe crab had different gene pools in spite of the origins of the same species.

Water quality, nutrient budget, and pollutant loads in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) farms around East Taihu Lake

To understand the factors causing frequent outbreaks of harmful algae blooms in the Taihu Lake, China, we studied water quality and nutrient budget in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) farm ponds in the eastern part of the lake from November 2007 to December 2009. We estimated the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads. Materials input and output ponds, water exchange, and applied management practices of 838.5-hm2 crab ponds were surveyed using questionnaires. Water quality of 12 ponds, which were located no more than 2 km from East Taihu Lake, were monitored. The results show that water quality in the crab ponds was better than reference data. Feeds, including corn seed, commercial feed, trash fish, and gastropod, were the major sources of N and P input in the crab ponds, contributing 88.7% and 94.9%, respectively. In total, 60.5% of N and 37.3% of P were sequestered by macrophytes, and only 15.7% and 8.5% of them were discharged as effluent. The net loads of N and P in effluent were 16.43 kg/hm2/cycle and 2.16 kg/hm2/cycle, respectively, while the COD load was -17.88 kg/hm2/cycle. This indicated that crab farming caused minor negative impact on the trophic status of the lake area, which was attenuated by macrophytes. However, wastewater purification is still necessary in crab faming.

Identification and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Chinese Mitten Crab(Eriocheir sinensis) in the Liao River Area

Chinese mitten crab （Eriocheir sinensis） is an indigenous and ecologically and economically important species in the Liao River area, but its identification and genetic diversity remain poorly understood. To evaluate the germplasm resources of this species, samples were collected from these locations： four sub-populations from the Liao River area and one population from the Yangtze River area; one primer was used to distinguish between the Liao River and the Yangtze River crabs. Thirteen loci were used for crab genetic diversity analysis, and basic statistics showed that the collecting samples were purebred in the Liao River area. The average observed heterozygosity （H0） of the Liao River population was 0.5931, and the expected heterozygosity （He） was 0.8064. The polymorphism information content （PIC） was 0.7753, which showed that the Liao River population had high genetic diversity. The genetic differentiation index （FST） averaged 0.0342, meaning a low degree of differentiation; cluster analysis indicated that Hujia （HJ）, Xinli （XL） and Chenjia （CJ） sub-populations were allocated to the same cluster, while Baqiangzi （BQZ） sub-population was isolated. In summary, these data demonstrated that the crabs in the Liao River had high genetic diversity, but low genetic differentiation. Thus, the Liao River population had the potential for breeding selection. Furthermore, this study also provided valuable genetic information for the conservation of Chinese mitten crab.

Sustainable fisheries in shallow lakes:an independent empirical test of the Chinese mitten crab yield model

Next to excessive nutrient loading,intensive aquaculture is one of the major anthropogenic impacts threatening lake ecosystems.In China,particularly in the shallow lakes of mid-lower Changjiang(Yangtze) River,continuous overstocking of the Chinese mitten crab(Eriocheir sinensis) could deteriorate water quality and exhaust natural resources.A series of crab yield models and a general optimum-stocking rate model have been established,which seek to benefit both crab culture and the environment.In this research,independent investigations were carried out to evaluate the crab yield models and modify the optimum-stocking model.Low percentage errors(average 47%,median 36%) between observed and calculated crab yields were obtained.Specific values were defined for adult crab body mass(135 g/ind.) and recapture rate(18%and 30%in lakes with submerged macrophyte biomass above and below 1 000 g/m^2)to modify the optimum-stocking model.Analysis based on the modified optimum-stocking model indicated that the actual stocking rates in most lakes were much higher than the calculated optimum-stocking rates.This implies that,for most lakes,the current stocking rates should be greatly reduced to maintain healthy lake ecosystems.

Acute Toxicity of Formaldehyde to Eriocheir sinensis Zoea

The acute toxicities of formaldehyde to Chinese mitten crab(Eriocheir sinensis)zoea at various stages in semi-static system were studied.Each stage larvae was set with 5 concentration gradients and a contrast,and each concentration gradient had three parallels.The LC 50 of formaldehyde to Z1 was found to be 52.029 mg/L for 24 h and 29.300 mg/L for 48 h,with safety concentration of 2.79 mg/L;LC 50 to Z2 was 76.323 mg/L for 24 h,50.892 mg/L for 48 h,with safety concentration of 6.79 mg/L;LC 50 to Z3 was 108.947 mg/L for 24 h,67.693 mg/L for 48 h,with safety concentration of 7.84 mg/L;LC 50 to Z4 was 121.414 mg/L for 24 h,75.480 mg/L for 48 h,with safety concentration of 8.75 mg/L;LC 50 to Z5 was 128.546 mg/L for 24 h,89.312 mg/L for 48 h,with safety concentration of 12.934 mg/L.

Effects of fermented protein feed on the growth performance of pond-raised crab

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of a pellet feed containing fermented proteins on pond-raised Chinese mitten crabs,Eriocheir sinensis in a 7-month crab feeding experiment in Gucheng Lake,Jiangsu province,China.The results showed that fermented protein could significantly increase mean weight gain,crab size and total yield compared with control group.Moreover,the mean weight of male crabs and the number of large-sized male crabs improved over those of the control group.However,feed efficiency ratio did not differ significantly between the two groups.The amino acid content in the muscles of the female crabs of both the groups was higher than that in the muscles of the male crabs.The present study suggests that fermented compound protein may be one kind of potential protein sources for E.sinensis.