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Shi Y, Li S, Li Y, Jiang L, Khan FU, Waiho K, Wang Y, Hu M. Saving the overlooked mangrove horseshoe crabs-A perspective from enhancing mangrove ecosystem conservation. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 193:106282. [PMID: 38042633 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite being widely distributed in Asia, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda is often overlooked and, its population status remains unclear. Moreover, it is threatened by illegal harvesting and degradation of mangrove ecosystems. Protecting its habitat is essential for population and biodiversity conservation, as mangroves provide nursery grounds and food supply for C. rotundicauda. This review discusses the biological characteristics of C. rotundicauda, including ecology, nutrition, life history, toxicology, and immunology. It also presents information about its distribution and population status. The review emphasizes the challenges faced by C. rotundicauda and proposes a conservation framework that involves the participation of local residents to facilitate conservation efforts. Collaboration between local residents and communities is proposed to protect and monitor the mangrove ecosystem. Additionally, this framework can support field research, protect C. rotundicauda juveniles and other species, and ensure the livelihood of local residents through participation in carbon trading markets and eco-industries such as eco-farming and eco-tourism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuntian Shi
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
| | - Shuhui Li
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Yaowu Li
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Lingfeng Jiang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Fahim Ullah Khan
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Khor Waiho
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Youji Wang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
| | - Menghong Hu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; Marine Biomedical Science and Technology Innovation Platform of Lin-gang Special Area, Shanghai, China.
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Kwan KY, Yang X, Wang CC, Kuang Y, Wen Y, Tan KA, Xu P, Zhen W, Wang X, Zhu J, Huang X. Chemically mediated rheotaxis of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crab: potential dispersing mechanism to vegetated nursery habitats along the coast. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14465. [PMID: 36523452 PMCID: PMC9745956 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An enhanced understanding of larval ecology is fundamental to improve the management of locally depleted horseshoe crab populations in Asia. Recent studies in the northern Beibu Gulf, China demonstrated that nesting sites of Asian horseshoe crabs are typically close to their nursery beaches with high-density juveniles distributed around mangrove, seagrass and other structured habitats. Methods A laboratory Y-maze chamber was used to test whether the dispersal of early-stage juvenile tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus is facilitated by chemical cues to approach suitable nursery habitats. The juvenile orientation to either side of the chamber containing controlled seawater or another with various vegetation cues, as well as their movement time, the largest distance and displacement were recorded. Results The juveniles preferred to orient toward seagrass Halophila beccarii cues when the concentration reached 0.5 g l-1, but ceased at 2 g l-1. The results can be interpreted as a shelter-seeking process to get closer to the preferred settlement habitats. However, the juveniles exhibited avoidance behaviors in the presence of mangrove Avicennia marina and invasive saltmarsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora at 2 g l-1. The juveniles also spent less time moving in the presence of the A. marina cue, as well as reduced displacement in water containing the S. alterniflora cue at 1 and 2 g l-1. These results may explain the absence of juvenile T. tridentatus within densely vegetated areas, which have generally higher organic matter and hydrogen sulfide. Conclusion Early-stage juvenile T. tridentatus are capable of detecting and responding to habitat chemical cues, which can help guide them to high-quality settlement habitats. Preserving and restoring seagrass beds in the intertidal areas should be prioritized when formulating habitat conservation and management initiatives for the declining horseshoe crab populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Yue Kwan
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Xin Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Chun-Chieh Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Marine Research Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, China
| | - Yang Kuang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Yulong Wen
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Kian Ann Tan
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Peng Xu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Wenquan Zhen
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Xueping Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Junhua Zhu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Xing Huang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Centre, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, China
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Kwan KY, Fu Y, Zhong M, Kuang Y, Bai H, Zhang C, Zhen W, Xu P, Wang CC, Zhu J. Spatiotemporal Distribution of Asian Horseshoe Crab Eggs Are Highly Intermingled with Anthropogenic Structures in Northern Beibu Gulf, China. JOURNAL OF OCEAN UNIVERSITY OF CHINA : JOUC 2022; 21:531-540. [PMID: 35582547 PMCID: PMC9098372 DOI: 10.1007/s11802-022-5164-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Identification, protection and restoration of spawning habitats are vital for protecting the depleted species. Asian horseshoe crabs are ecologically important macroinvertebrates in coastal and estuarine ecosystems. However, their spawning habitat studies were limited to several reports in tropical regions, possibly due to the lack of modified survey methods, particularly in habitats with a lower density of spawning adults, and/or intermingled with anthropogenic structures. In this study, the year-round egg distribution and spawning habitat baselines of Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda and Tachypleus tridentatus were determined in the northern Beibu Gulf, China. Our findings demonstrated that the peak spawning occurred in June-July and ceased in November-January when the average water temperature dropped below 20 °C. Egg aggregations were found < 10 cm beneath the sediment surface with regular tidal inundation, regardless of seasonal changes, in the vicinity of natural and artificial structures with elevated, mildly sloping substratum within the high tide zones. The nests were characterized by medium-sized sediment grains (0.5-0.9 mm), high temperatures (31-34°C), low water contents (0.8%-0.9%), and total organic carbon contents (0.5%-0.7%), which might maximize the hatching success. The identified nesting beaches were close to nursery habitats for juveniles, and tidal creeks were present as the possible corridor connecting these two important habitats through the dominant mangrove forests. The findings provide valuable insights in the scope of spawning behavior and nest-site selection of Asian horseshoe crabs under a mixture of natural and artificial structures, which could benefit future management efforts for the exploited spawning populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kit Yue Kwan
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Yijian Fu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Mufeng Zhong
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster in the Beibu Gulf, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Yang Kuang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Haiwei Bai
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Ce Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Wenquan Zhen
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Peng Xu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Qinzhou, 535011 China
| | - Chun-Chieh Wang
- Guangxi Beibu Gulf Marine Research Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007 China
| | - Junhua Zhu
- College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf Ocean Development Research Center, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011 China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Qinzhou, 535011 China
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Liu X, Liu J, Xiong K, Zhang C, Fang JKH, Song J, Tai Z, Zhu Q, Hu M, Wang Y. Effects of Ocean Acidification on Molting, Oxidative Stress, and Gut Microbiota in Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Tachypleus tridentatus. Front Physiol 2022; 12:813582. [PMID: 35069266 PMCID: PMC8770989 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.813582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic elevation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) drives global-scale ocean acidification (OA), which has aroused widespread concern for marine ecosystem health. The tri-spine horseshoe crab (HSC) Tachypleus tridentatus has been facing the threat of population depletion for decades, and the effects of OA on the physiology and microbiology of its early life stage are unclear. In this study, the 1st instar HSC larvae were exposed to acidified seawater (pH 7.3, pH 8.1 as control) for 28 days to determine the effects of OA on their growth, molting, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota. Results showed that there were no significant differences in growth index and molting rate between OA group and control group, but the chitinase activity, β-NAGase activity, and ecdysone content in OA group were significantly lower than those of the control group. Compared to the control group, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in OA group were significantly increased at the end of the experiment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities increased first and then decreased, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) decreased first and then increased, and GST activity changed little during the experiment. According to the result of 16S rRNA sequencing of gut microbiota, microbial-mediated functions predicted by PICRUSt showed that "Hematopoietic cell lineage," "Endocytosis," "Staphylococcus aureus infection," and "Shigellosis" pathways significantly increased in OA group. The above results indicate that OA had no significant effect on growth index and molting rate but interfered with the activity of chitinolytic enzymes and ecdysone expression of juvenile horseshoe crabs, and caused oxidative stress. In addition, OA had adverse effects on the immune defense function and intestinal health. The present study reveals the potential threat of OA to T. tridentatus population and lays a foundation for the further study of the physiological adaptation mechanism of juvenile horseshoe crabs to environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiani Liu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kai Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Caoqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - James Kar-Hei Fang
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie Song
- Tianjin Era Biology Technology Co., Ltd., Tianjin, China
| | - Zongguang Tai
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Quangang Zhu
- Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Menghong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Youji Wang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquaculture, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
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