The activity of hydrolytic enzymes in the digestive system of Acanthobdellida, Branchiobdellida and Hirudinida (Annelida, Clitellata) – considerations on similarity and phylogeny

Trophic Position of the White Worm (Enchytraeus albidus) in the Context of Digestive Enzyme Genes Revealed by Transcriptomics Analysis

To assess the impact of Enchytraeidae (potworms) on the functioning of the decomposer system, knowledge of the feeding preferences of enchytraeid species is required. Different food preferences can be explained by variations in enzymatic activities among different enchytraeid species, as there are no significant differences in the morphology or anatomy of their alimentary tracts. However, it is crucial to distinguish between the contribution of microbial enzymes and the animal's digestive capacity. Here, we computationally analyzed the endogenous digestive enzyme genes in Enchytraeus albidus. The analysis was based on RNA-Seq of COI-monohaplotype culture (PL-A strain) specimens, utilizing transcriptome profiling to determine the trophic position of the species. We also corroborated the results obtained using transcriptomics data from genetically heterogeneous freeze-tolerant strains. Our results revealed that E. albidus expresses a wide range of glycosidases, including GH9 cellulases and a specific digestive SH3b-domain-containing i-type lysozyme, previously described in the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Therefore, E. albidus combines traits of both primary decomposers (primary saprophytophages) and secondary decomposers (sapro-microphytophages/microbivores) and can be defined as an intermediate decomposer. Based on assemblies of publicly available RNA-Seq reads, we found close homologs for these cellulases and i-type lysozymes in various clitellate taxa, including Crassiclitellata and Enchytraeidae.

Selenium-Enriched Spirulina (SeE-SP) Enhance Antioxidant Response, Immunity, and Disease Resistance in Juvenile Asian Seabass, Lates calcarifer

The present study examined the efficacy of dietary selenium-enriched spirulina (SeE-SP) on growth performance, antioxidant response, liver and intestinal health, immunity and disease resistance of Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer. A total of 480 seabass juveniles with an initial weight of 9.22 ± 0.09 g/fish were randomly assigned to four dietary groups. The fish were fed a fishmeal protein replacement diets with SeE-SP at 5%, 10%, and 20%, namely SeE-SP5, SeE-SP10, and SeE-SP20, and a fishmeal-based diet as control for 8 weeks. The results indicated that seabass juveniles fed SeE-SP5 and SeE-SP10 diets grew at the same rate as the fish fed a fishmeal-based control diet after 8 weeks of feeding, while SeE-SP20 grew at a significantly lower rate than the control (p < 0.05). Although most of the measured biochemical parameters were not influenced by the Se-SP diets, serum antioxidant-enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and immunological indices, such as lysozyme activity and immunoglobulin-M, were found significantly higher in the SeE-SP5 and SeE-SP10 diets compared to control. In addition, the fish fed the SeE-SP5 diet showed significantly lower mortalities after the 14-day of bacterial challenge with V. harveyi. These outcomes indicated that up to 10% inclusion of SeE-SP in the diet of juvenile Asian seabass does not compromise growth, while SeE-SP5 enhanced disease resistance in juvenile seabass.