Characterising Sex-Specific Metabolite Differences in New Zealand Geoduck () Using LC-MS/MS Metabolomics.

Geoduck aquaculture is becoming a key component in meeting international market demand, given the natural and regulatory restrictions on wild geoduck supply. Geoduck clams are not sexually dimorphic, making it practically unfeasible to distinguish between males and females prior to a spawning event. To facilitate increased production of geoduck, a better understanding of reproductive biology and associated targeted bio-markers is required.

Elucidating divergent growth and climate vulnerability in abalone (Haliotis iris): A multi-year snapshot.

Many abalone populations worldwide are in decline as a result of changing climate and fishing pressure. In New Zealand (NZ) Haliotis iris is the largest and most abundant of the endemic abalone species. This species displays high levels of phenotypic variation with slow-growing populations having an impact on their commercial utilisation.

Interactive effects of elevated temperature and Photobacterium swingsii infection on the survival and immune response of marine mussels (Perna canaliculus): A summer mortality scenario.

The New Zealand Greenshell™ mussel (Perna canaliculus) is an economically important aquaculture species. Prolonged increases in seawater temperature above mussel thermotolerance ranges pose a significant threat to mussel survival and health, potentially increasing susceptibility to bacterial infections. Using challenge experiments, this study examined the combined effects of increased seawater temperature and bacterial (Photobacterium swingsii) infection on animal survival, haemocyte and biochemical responses of adult mussels.

Quantification of Photobacterium swingsii and characterisation of disease progression in the New Zealand Greenshell™ mussel, Perna canaliculus.

Greenshell™ mussels (Perna canaliculus) are endemic to New Zealand and support the largest aquaculture industry in the country. Photobacterium swingsii was isolated and identified from moribund P. canaliculus mussels following a mass mortality event.

Histopathological investigation of four populations of abalone (Haliotis iris) exhibiting divergent growth performance.

The black-foot abalone (pāua), Haliotis iris, is a unique and valuable species to New Zealand with cultural importance for Māori. Abalone are marine gastropods that can display a high level of phenotypic variation, including slow-growing or 'stunted' variants. This investigation focused on identifying factors that are associated with growth performance, with particular interest in the slow-growing variants.

The effect of simulated marine heatwaves on green-lipped mussels, Perna canaliculus: A near-natural experimental approach.

Marine heatwaves (MHW) are projected for the foreseeable future, affecting aquaculture species, such as the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). Thermal stress alters mussel physiology highlighting the adaptive capacity that allows survival in the face of heatwaves. Within this study, adult mussels were subjected to three different seawater temperature regimes: 1) low (sustained 18 °C), 2) medium MHW (18-24 °C, using a +1 °C per week ramp) and 3) high MHW (18-24 °C, using a +2 °C per week ramp).

Histopathological changes in the greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, in response to chronic thermal stress.

Climate change associated temperature challenges pose a serious threat to the marine environment. Elevations in average sea surface temperatures are occurring and increasing frequency of marine heatwaves resulting in mortalities of organisms are being reported. In recent years, marine farmers have reported summer mass mortality events of the New Zealand Greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, during the summer months; however, the etiological agents have yet to be determined.

Metabolite Changes of Following a Laboratory Marine Heatwave Exposure: Insights from Metabolomic Analyses.

Temperature is considered to be a major abiotic factor influencing aquatic life. Marine heatwaves are emerging as threats to sustainable shellfish aquaculture, affecting the farming of New Zealand's green-lipped mussel [ (Gmelin, 1791)]. In this study, were gradually exposed to high-temperature stress, mimicking a five-day marine heatwave event, to better understand the effects of heat stress on the metabolome of mussels.

Acute thermal stress and endotoxin exposure modulate metabolism and immunity in marine mussels (Perna canaliculus).

Mass mortalities of New Zealand Green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) are thought to be associated with increased water temperatures and immune challenges from opportunistic pathogens. However, the combined effects of acute thermal stress and immune stimulation on mussels are poorly understood. To investigate these responses, adult mussels were exposed to different temperatures (26 °C [thermal stress] vs 15 °C [ambient]) and a bacterial-derived endotoxin injection (with vs without) to mimic a pathogen infection.

Pathogenicity and virulence of bacterial strains associated with summer mortality in marine mussels (Perna canaliculus).

The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria has emerged as a plausible key component of summer mortalities in mussels. In the current research, four bacterial isolates retrieved from moribund Greenshell࣪ mussels, Perna canaliculus, from a previous summer mortality event, were tentatively identified as Vibrio and Photobacterium species using morpho-biochemical characterization and MALDI-TOF MS and confirmed as V. celticus, P.

Effects of seawater temperature and acute Vibriosp. challenge on the haemolymph immune and metabolic responses of adult mussels (Perna canaliculus).

The New Zealand Greenshell™ mussel (Perna canaliculus) is an endemic bivalve species with cultural importance, that is harvested recreationally and commercially. However, production is currently hampered by increasing incidences of summer mortality in farmed and wild populations. While the causative factors for these mortality events are still unknown, it is believed that increasing seawater temperatures and pathogen loads are potentially at play.

Metabolite profiling of abalone (Haliotis iris) energy metabolism: a Chatham Islands case study.

Introduction: The Chatham Islands has some of the most prized black-footed abalone (Haliotis iris) beds in New Zealand. This well-managed fishery includes restrictions on catch and size limits, selective fishing methods, and shellfish management. However, recent declines in biomass and growth parameters have prompted omics research to characterise the biological responses of abalone, potentially contributing towards animal management strategies.

Evaluation of immune stimulatory products for whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) by a metabolomics approach.

The use of probiotics, prebiotics and dietary fiber has become a common practice in shrimp aquaculture as alternatives to antibiotic treatment. However, not much is known about the metabolic mechanisms underlying the effects of probiotics and immunostimulant used in shrimp aquaculture. In this study, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based metabolomics approach was used to characterize metabolite profiles of haemolymph and gills of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) exposed to four treatments (cellulose fiber, probiotics with Vibrio alginolyticus, a combination of cellulose fiber and V.

The Effects of Live Transport on Metabolism and Stress Responses of Abalone ().

The New Zealand abalone industry relies mostly on the export of processed products to distant Asian markets, notably China. Over the past five years, live export of high quality abalone from New Zealand has proven successful. However, transport of live animals is associated with multiple stressors that affect survival and meat quality at the end of the transport phase.

Physiological responses of juvenile New Zealand geoduck (Panopea zelandica) following emersion and recovery.

The New Zealand geoduck clam is a unique seafood delicacy, with animals selling for up to $US 220-330/kg. Stress accumulated during transport of juveniles to grow-out sites represent a bottleneck in the aquaculture process. In this study, the physiological responses of juvenile geoducks following emersion (3- and 8-h), and recovery (1- and 5-days) were investigated.

Effect of anticoagulants on farmed giant kokopu, Galaxias argenteus (Gmelin 1789) haematological parameters and erythrocyte fragility.

We sought to determine a compatible anticoagulant for routine haematological and physiological assessments with giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus), an endemic New Zealand fish. We observed that blood treated with lithium heparin (LH) rapidly coagulated and haemolysed, making it unsuitable for G. argenteus.

Metabolic and immune responses of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) smolts to a short-term poly (I:C) challenge.

Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly (I:C)] was administered in vivo to Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) post-smolts to determine the immune responses on haematological and cellular functional parameters, including spleen (SP), head kidney (HK) and red blood cell (RBC) cytokine expression, as well as serum metabolomics. Poly (I:C) in vivo (24 h exposure) did not affect fish haematological parameters, leucocyte phagocytic activity and phagocytic index, reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics revealed that poly (I:C) significantly altered the serum biochemistry profile of 25 metabolites.

Flow cytometric characterization of hemocytes of the flat oyster, Ostrea chilensis.

The flat oyster, Ostrea chilensis, native to New Zealand (NZ) and Chile is considered an important ecological, cultural and fisheries resource. Currently, commercial landings of this species in NZ are restricted due to low population numbers caused by ongoing mortalities resulting from the presence of the haplosporidian parasite, Bonamia exitiosa. More recently, the arrival of B.

In vitro immune response of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide.

We investigated cellular functional and targeted immune cytokine responses of farmed Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro to LPS from Escherichia coli (E. coli) serotypes O111: B4 and O55: B5, and a phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Bacterial LPS and PMA significantly (p < 0.

Uncovering the metabolic response of abalone (Haliotis midae) to environmental hypoxia through metabolomics.

Introduction: Oxygen is essential for metabolic processes and in the absence thereof alternative metabolic pathways are required for energy production, as seen in marine invertebrates like abalone. Even though hypoxia has been responsible for significant losses to the aquaculture industry, the overall metabolic adaptations of abalone in response to environmental hypoxia are as yet, not fully elucidated.

Objective: To use a multiplatform metabolomics approach to characterize the metabolic changes associated with energy production in abalone (Haliotis midae) when exposed to environmental hypoxia.

The cross-tissue metabolic response of abalone () to functional hypoxia.

Functional hypoxia is a stress condition caused by the abalone itself as a result of increased muscle activity, which generally necessitates the employment of anaerobic metabolism if the activity is sustained for prolonged periods. With that being said, abalone are highly reliant on anaerobic metabolism to provide partial compensation for energy production during oxygen-deprived episodes. However, current knowledge on the holistic metabolic response for energy metabolism during functional hypoxia, and the contribution of different metabolic pathways and various abalone tissues towards the overall accumulation of anaerobic end-products in abalone are scarce.