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NextGen molecular barcoding of larval grouper diet in an extensive green-water pond system

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 18:26 authored by Dennis, LP, Kelli AndersonKelli Anderson, Wylie, M, In, VV, Nocillado, J, Elizur, A

Molecular barcoding and next generation amplicon sequencing were used to investigate the diet of the larvae of two species: tiger (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and hybrid (E. lanceolatus × E. fuscoguttatus) grouper. Larvae were reared in open green-water ponds. These ponds had natural populations of wild zooplankton, and were also seeded with additional zooplankton. Zooplankton from water samples and larvae were collected daily for the first 12 days post hatch (dph) for hybrid grouper and the first 6 dph for tiger grouper. Next generation (NextGen) sequencing with degenerate cytochrome oxidase 1 oligonucleotide primers was performed on all samples. Resulting sequences suggest that both grouper species predated heavily on calanoid copepods – especially at first feeding and while still drawing energy from endogenous supplies. In addition, tiger grouper consumed mussel trochophores as a first feed. Grouper larvae diversified their diets at 6 dph and hybrid grouper were found to be consuming an unidentified insect as their primary food source from this point. Diets further diversified at 10 dph and the first substantial representation of ‘traditional’ aquaculture live feed was seen at 12 dph with the appearance of Artemia. Rotifers (Brachionus spp.) were consumed at a low level by tiger grouper larvae and at a negligible level by hybrid grouper despite daily addition to the pond systems. This study confirms that within the first 12 dph calanoid copepods are the key prey zooplankton for grouper larvae, and demonstrates that NextGen sequencing is a powerful tool for diet assessment in aquaculture.

History

Publication title

Aquaculture

Volume

531

Article number

735971

Number

735971

Pagination

1-11

ISSN

0044-8486

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Elsevier Science Bv

Place of publication

Po Box 211, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1000 Ae

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Aquaculture fin fish (excl. tuna); Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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