Physiological changes during simulated live transport of Cancer pagurus and recovery in holding tanks

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

barrento, s (Author) Other; marques, a (Author) Other; vaz-pires, p (Author) ICBAS; nunes, ml (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Aquaculture Research

Vol. 43

Pages: 1415-1426

ISSN: 1355-557X

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 3 Citations

Scopus - 6 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Agrarian Sciences > Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-6C7

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2011.02943.x

Abstract (EN): The trade of live Cancer pagurus in Portugal is totally dependent on imports, mainly from UK. Animals are transported for 4858 h in conditions that promote high mortalities (4060%) due to cumulative stressors. The present work aimed to optimize transport, by comparing the physiological responses of edible crab during different simulated live shipment systems for 48 h and recovery conditions: (a) immersed crabs at 12 degrees C; and (b) air-exposed crabs at 4 degrees C and subsequent recovery at 16 degrees C with and without pre-acclimation. Both simulated transport systems induced physiological stress, culminating in 25% mortality in immersed conditions and only 4% in air-exposed conditions. Both systems elicited anaerobic responses marked by hyperglycaemia and increased l-lactate concentration in haemolymph. At the end of the recovery period only air-exposed animals resumed to l-lactate and pH control values, the lowest mortality was achieved with crabs acclimated at the lowest temperature (from 6 to 16 degrees C at 1.5 degrees C/h). Overall, results showed that crabs can be transported in air-exposed conditions at 4 degrees C and acclimated from 6 to 16 degrees C and reach similar physiological conditions than the traditional transport in immersed conditions at 12 degrees C.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12