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Method Article
Se realizaron dos protocolos de ablación del tallo ocular (es decir, enfoques de cauterización y cirugía) en cangrejos hembra anestesiados. La ablación ocular de los cangrejos de barro aceleró la maduración de los ovarios sin disminuir la tasa de supervivencia.
Los cangrejos de fango (Scylla spp.) son especies de crustáceos comercialmente importantes que se pueden encontrar en toda la región del Indo-Pacífico occidental. Durante el cultivo, la inducción de la maduración ovárica es importante para satisfacer la demanda de los consumidores de cangrejos de fango maduros y acelerar la producción de semillas. La ablación del tallo ocular es una herramienta eficaz para mejorar la maduración ovárica en cangrejos de fango. Sin embargo, no existe un protocolo estándar para la ablación ocular de los cangrejos de fango. En este estudio, se describen dos técnicas de ablación del tallo ocular: cauterización (el uso de metal caliente para extirpar el tallo ocular de un cangrejo anestesiado) y cirugía (la eliminación del tallo ocular con tijeras quirúrgicas). Antes de la ablación del tallo ocular, las hembras sexualmente maduras (CW > 86 mm) fueron anestesiadas usando una bolsa de hielo (-20 ° C) con agua de mar. Cuando la temperatura del agua alcanzó los 4 °C, la bolsa de hielo se retiró del agua. El agua de mar que fluye (temperatura ambiente: 28 ° C) se utilizó para la recuperación de la anestesia inmediatamente después de la ablación del tallo ocular. La mortalidad no ocurrió durante o después del proceso de ablación del tallo ocular. El protocolo de ablación del tallo ocular presentado aquí aceleró la maduración ovárica de los cangrejos de fango.
Las cuatro especies de cangrejo de fango pertenecientes al género Scylla son especies de crustáceos comercialmente importantes en la acuicultura 1,2. El crecimiento de crustáceos, incluidos los cangrejos de fango, y su transformación de la fase prematura (subadulta o pubertal) a la fase sexualmente madura (adulto) ocurre a través de un proceso de muda que implica el desprendimiento periódico de exoesqueletos más viejos y más pequeños. El ancho del caparazón (CW), los quelípedos y las morfologías del colgajo abdominal se usan ampliamente para determinar la madurez sexual de Scylla spp. 3,4,5. El proceso de muda está regulado por la acción de varias hormonas y requiere una gran cantidad de energía6. Además del proceso normal de muda, la pérdida de extremidades, ya sea voluntaria o inducida por factores externos, acelera la muda de los cangrejos sin afectar su tasa de supervivencia 7,8,9. Por lo tanto, la autotomía de extremidades se utiliza comúnmente para la inducción de muda en la industria de cultivo de cangrejo de fango de caparazónblando 7,9.
La ablación unilateral o bilateral del tallo ocular es más popular en camarones de agua dulce y camarones marinos para la maduración de las gónadas y la producción de semillas10,11,12,13. Las técnicas comunes de ablación del tallo ocular en crustáceos incluyen las siguientes: (i) ligadura en la base del tallo ocular usando una cuerda14,15; (ii) cauterización del tallo ocular utilizando fórceps calientes o dispositivos de electrocauterio16; (iii) extracción o pellizco directo del tallo ocular para dejar una herida abierta12; y (iv) extracción del contenido del tallo ocular a través de la incisión después de cortar la porción distal del ojo con una navaja de afeitar17. Los órganos X del tallo ocular son órganos endocrinos importantes en los crustáceos, ya que regulan las hormonas hiperglucémicas (CHH) de los crustáceos, las hormonas inhibidoras de la muda (MIH) y las hormonas inhibidoras de la vitelogénesis (VIH)6,18,19,20,21,22. Los órganos X de Eyestalk (o el complejo de glándulas sinusales) sintetizan y liberan hormonas inhibidoras de las gónadas (GIH), también conocidas como hormonas inhibidoras de la vitelogénesis (VIH), pertenecientes a la familia de hormonas neuropeptídicas6. La ablación unilateral o bilateral del tallo ocular reduce la síntesis de GIH, resultando en el predominio de hormonas estimulantes (es decir, hormonas estimulantes de gónadas, GSH) y la aceleración del proceso de maduración ovárica en crustáceos23,24,25,26. Sin la influencia de la GIH después de la ablación ocular, las hembras de crustáceo dedican su energía al desarrollo de los ovarios27. Se ha encontrado que la ablación unilateral del tallo ocular es suficiente para la inducción de la maduración ovárica en crustáceos11 y que el tallo ocular ablacionado de camarones y cangrejos puede regenerarse después de varias mudas28. Hay cuatro etapas de desarrollo ovárico registradas en Scylla spp.: i) inmadura (etapa-1), ii) maduración temprana (etapa-2), iii) premaduración (etapa-3) y iv) completamente madura (etapa-4)29,30. La etapa ovárica inmadura se encuentra en mujeres inmaduras. Después de la muda puberal y el apareamiento, el ovario inmaduro comienza a desarrollarse y finalmente madura (etapa 4) antes de desovar31.
Un protocolo de ablación del tallo ocular es esencial para el desarrollo de reproductores de cangrejo de fango y la producción de semillas. En el mercado mundial de alimentos, los consumidores prefieren los cangrejos de fango maduros con ovarios completamente maduros (etapa 4) en lugar de cangrejos con mayor contenido muscular y, por lo tanto, tienen un valor comercial más alto, incluso más alto que los machos grandes. No existe un protocolo completo para la ablación ocular de los cangrejos de fango. El protocolo de ablación del tallo ocular en este trabajo minimiza el estrés mediante el uso de cangrejos completamente anestesiados y minimiza las lesiones físicas al personal por mordeduras de cangrejo. Este protocolo es fácil y rentable. Aquí, presentamos un protocolo para la ablación ocular de Scylla spp. que puede inducir la maduración de la gónada. Se probaron dos técnicas de ablación del tallo ocular (cauterización y cirugía) y se compararon sus eficiencias en función de la tasa de desarrollo gonadal de las hembras de cangrejo de fango.
Este protocolo sigue el Código de Prácticas de Malasia para el Cuidado y Uso de Animales con Fines Científicos descrito por la Asociación de Ciencia de Animales de Laboratorio de Malasia. El sacrificio de las muestras experimentales se realizó de acuerdo con la Guía de los Institutos Nacionales de Salud para el Cuidado y Uso de Animales de Laboratorio (NIH Publications No. 8023, revisada en 1978). Los cangrejos de fango hembra sexualmente prematuros (cangrejo de fango naranja S. olivacea) fueron recolectados del mercado local (5°66′62′′N, 102°72′33′′E) en los humedales de Setiu en Malasia. La especie de cangrejo de fango fue identificada con base en características morfológicas1.
1. Recogida y desinfección de muestras
Figura 1: Morfología abdominal de las hembras de cangrejos de fango utilizadas para identificar las etapas de maduración sexual. Haga clic aquí para ver una versión más grande de esta figura.
2. Aclimatación
3. Muda inducida para la madurez sexual
4. Anestesia
5. Ablación del tallo ocular
6. Cuidados postanestésicos
7. Observación de la maduración ovárica
Maduración de las gónadas
Se encontraron tejidos ováricos blancos cremosos (ovarios inmaduros, estadio-1) en el 100% de las hembras disecadas (n = 6) antes de realizar la ablación del tallo ocular (Figura 2). La tasa de maduración de las gónadas de los cangrejos hembras ablacionados (n = 63; 31 hembras con la técnica de cauterización y 32 hembras con la técnica quirúrgica) fue mayor en comparación con las hembras de cangrejo que no fueron sometidas a ablación ...
Este protocolo fue desarrollado para la ablación del tallo ocular del cangrejo de fango, Scylla spp., y se puede aplicar como un método eficiente para inducir la maduración de las gónadas. Este protocolo se puede replicar fácilmente para la maduración comercial de los ovarios de los cangrejos de fango y se puede implementar para reducir el período latente (tiempo de un desove a otro) en la producción de semillas de cangrejo de fango.
La ablación del tallo ocular de los crust?...
Ninguno de los autores tiene ningún conflicto de intereses.
Este estudio fue apoyado por el Ministerio de Educación, Malasia, bajo el programa del Centro de Excelencia de la Institución Superior (HICoE), Malasia, acreditado ante el Instituto de Acuicultura y Pesca Tropical, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (Vot No. 63933 & Vot No. 56048). Reconocemos el apoyo de Universiti Malaysia Terengganu y Sayap Jaya Sdn. Bhd. a través de la Beca de Investigación de Asociación Privada (Vot. No. 55377). También se reconoce un puesto de becario académico adjunto de la Universidad Sains de Malasia a Khor Waiho y Hanafiah Fazhan.
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Aeration tube | Ming Yu Three | N/A | aquarium and pet shop |
Airstone | Ming Yu Three | N/A | aquarium and pet shop |
Autoclave machine | HIRAYAMA MANUFACTURING CORPORATION | N/A | MADE IN JAPAN |
Bleaching powder (Hi-Chlon 70%) | Nippon Soda Co.Ltd,Japan | N/A | N/A |
Blow torch | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Circular tank (32L) | BEST PLASTIC INDUSTRY SDN. BHD. | N/A | N/A |
Cotton hand gloves (thick) | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Cotton towel | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Digital thermometer | Hanna Instrument | HI9814 | Hanna Instruments GroLine Hydroponics Waterproof pH / EC / TDS / Temp. Portable Meter HI9814 |
Digital Vernier Caliper | INSIZE Co., Ltd. | N/A | |
Dissecting tray | Hatcheri AKUATROP | N/A | Research Center of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu |
Dropper bottle/Plastic Pipettes Dropper | Shopee Malaysia | N/A | N/A |
Ethanol 70% | Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 033361.M1 | Diluted to 70% using double distilled water |
Fiberglass tank (1 ton) | Hatcheri AKUATROP | N/A | Research Center of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu |
Fine sand | N/A | N/A | collected from Sea beach of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu |
First Aid Kits | Watsons Malaysia | N/A | N/A |
Flat head nickel steel metal rod (Screw driver) | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Formaldehyde | Thermo Scientific Chemicals | 119690010 | |
Gas cylinder (butane gas) for blow torch | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Gas lighter gun (long head) | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Glass beaker (100 mL)) | Corning Life Sciences | 1000-100 | |
Ice bag | Watsons Malaysia | N/A | N/A |
Perforated plastic baskets | Eco-Shop Marketing Sdn. Bhd. | N/A | N/A |
PVC pipe 15mm | Bina Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd (HQ) | N/A | N/A |
Refractometer | ATAGO CO.,LTD. | ||
Refrigerator | Sharp Corporation Japan | N/A | Chest Freezer SHARP 110L - SJC 118 |
Scoop net | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | |
Seawater | Hatcheri AKUATROP | N/A | Research Center of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu |
Siphoning pipe | MR D.I.Y. Group Berhad | N/A | N/A |
Spray bottle | Mr. DIY Sdn Bhd | N/A | N/A |
Stainless surgical forceps | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Stainless surgical scissors | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Submersible water pump | AS | N/A | model: Astro 4000 |
Tincture of iodine solution (Povidone Iodine) | Farmasi Fajr Sdn Bhd | N/A | N/A |
Tissue paper | N/A | N/A | |
Transparent plastic aquarium | Ming Yu Three | N/A | aquarium and pet shop |
Waterproof table | Hatcheri AKUATROP | N/A | Research Center of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu |
An erratum was issued for: Eyestalk Ablation to Increase Ovarian Maturation in Mud Crabs. The Introduction, Protocol, Discussion and References were updated.
The forth sentence in the third paragraph of the Introduction has been updated from:
The eyestalk ablation protocol in this work minimizes stress by using fully sedated crabs and minimizes physical injury to personnel from crab bites.
to:
The eyestalk ablation protocol in this work minimizes stress by using fully anesthetized crabs and minimizes physical injury to personnel from crab bites.
The start of the Protocol has been updated from:
This protocol follows the Malaysian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes outlined by the Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysia. The sacrifice of the experimental samples was done according to the National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publications No. 8023, revised 1978). Sexually pre-mature female mud crabs (orange mud crab S. olivacea) were collected from the local market (5°66′62′′N, 102°72′33′′E) at the Setiu Wetlands in Malaysia. The mud crab species was identified based on morphological characteristics1.
to:
This protocol follows the Malaysian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes outlined by the Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysia and was approved by the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu's Research Ethics Committee (Animal ethics approval number: UMT/JKEPHMK/2023/96). The sacrifice of the experimental samples was done according to the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition. Sexually pre-mature female mud crabs (orange mud crab Scylla olivacea) were collected from the local market (5°66′62′′N, 102°72′33′′E) at the Setiu Wetlands in Malaysia. The mud crab species was identified based on morphological characteristics1.
Section 4 of the Protocol has been updated from:
4. Cold-shock anesthesia
to:
4. Anesthesia
Section 5 of the Protocol has been updated from:
5. Eyestalk ablation
to:
5. Eyestalk ablation
Step 7.2.2 of the Protocol has been updated from:
Sedate the females individually with the cold shock anesthesia method.
to:
Anesthetize the females individually with the 2-PE immersion anesthesia method.
The Discussion has been updated from:
This protocol was developed for the eyestalk ablation of the mud crab, Scylla spp., and can be applied as an efficient method to induce gonad maturation. This protocol can be easily replicated for the commercial ovary maturation of mud crabs and can be implemented to reduce the latent period (time from one spawning to another) in mud crab seed production.
The eyestalk ablation of crustaceans (i.e., freshwater prawn, marine shrimp) is typically done to induce gonad maturation and out-of-season spawning11,12,13. Eyestalk ablation in brachyuran crabs has also been done to study molting25,32,33, hormonal regulation18, gonad maturation34, and induced breeding and reproductive performance35,36,37,38,39. Unilateral or bilateral eyestalk ablation influences the physiology of the crustacean. Eyestalk ablation following the protocol stated in this study also influences the ovarian maturation rate of mud crabs. In the control treatment (without eyestalk ablation), 43.33% ± 5.77% of female crabs had an immature ovary (stage-1). However, in the same rearing period (30 days), eyestalk-ablated female crabs had pre-maturing ovaries (stage-3; 56.67% ± 11.55% and 53.33% ± 15.28% with the cauterization and surgery techniques, respectively), which shows that eyestalk ablation can increase the gonad maturation of mud crabs. Previous studies have also reported that the ovarian development of intact crabs (without eyestalk ablation) is slower than that of eyestalk-ablated crabs25,31. Due to the slower gonadal development in intact crustaceans, eyestalk ablation is widely done in commercial prawn and shrimp hatcheries. In this protocol, the eyestalk-ablated female crabs achieved higher percentages of ovarian maturation compared to the female crabs without the eyestalk ablation treatment (Figure 3).
The gonad maturation of the mud crab is regulated by hormones21,40,41. The eyestalk contains important endocrine glands (i.e., the X-organ-sinus gland complex) that play vital roles in the gonadal maturation process of mud crabs18,21. Unilateral eyestalk ablation, either by cauterization or surgery, damages one of the major endocrine glands that is involved in the synthesis and release of inhibiting hormones (e.g., VIH), thereby resulting in a higher level of gonad-stimulating hormones (i.e., VSH).
The ovarian maturation stages of Scylla spp. can be differentiated by observing the ovarian tissue coloration with the naked eye29,30,42. Translucent or creamy white ovarian tissues are indications of immature ovaries29,30,42,43. In this study, immature ovaries (stage-1) were still found in the group of female crabs without eyestalk ablation due to the slower ovarian maturation process. However, the crabs in the eyestalk-ablated groups (both by the cauterization and surgery techniques) mostly showed pre-maturing ovaries (stage-3), with some individuals exhibiting fully matured ovaries (stage-4). Therefore, the protocol of eyestalk ablation described here can be used to increase ovarian maturation in female mud crabs. This protocol can also be applied directly to wild-collected mature female mud crabs to hasten their seed production. To evaluate the effectiveness of cauterization and surgery methods on mud crab gonad maturation and to ensure the accurate estimation of molting duration, sexually pre-mature crabs were used. After the (induced) molting of sexually pre-mature female crabs, we noticed that their ovaries were still in the immature or early developing stages29,44. After 30 days of rearing the newly mature female crabs (either eyestalk-ablated or without eyestalk ablation), the ovarian development stages (stage-1 to stage-4) were determined by the color of the ovarian tissues. This protocol encourages the use of the cauterization technique to perform eyestalk ablation in mud crabs to avoid any hemolymph loss and prevent infection at the ablated sites. Cauterization immediately seals the wound, whereas the surgery technique requires an additional step of disinfection using iodine. For commercial purposes, larger mature crabs, preferably at a later stage of ovarian maturation, should be selected for eyestalk ablation to shorten the time to reach the fully matured ovary stage for subsequent commerce or brood stock culture. In addition to eyestalk ablation, individual rearing with sand substrate and sufficient feeding, preferably with live feed, can increase the gonad maturation rate of mud crabs in captivity30,35,45,46.
Crustacean blood is called hemolymph and can be lost during eyestalk ablation. An excessive loss of hemolymph may lead to the death of eyestalk-ablated crabs, especially when performing surgery to remove the eyestalk. The hemolymph can coagulate in the wounded part to prevent loss. The application of a tincture of iodine can prevent infection of the wounded part. However, in comparison to the surgery technique, the cauterization technique seals the wounded part immediately, thereby preventing the loss of hemolymph and possible infection.
Mud crab mortality after unilateral eyestalk ablation with either cauterization or surgery was not found within the first 7 days. Thus, eyestalk ablation can be done with a higher survival rate. Unilateral eyestalk ablation does not hamper the survival rate of the crab33.
Stress during crab handling and eyestalk ablation may contribute to crab mortality. Proper anesthesia is needed to minimize handling stress during eyestalk ablation. In crustacean eyestalk ablation, chemical anesthetics (i.e., xylocaine, lidocaine) are used at the base of the eyestalk before eyestalk ablation14,15,17,47. However, due to the aggressive nature and large size of mud crabs, the use of anesthesia only at the base of the eyestalk is not sufficient and might result in additional stress to the animals during the injection. On the other hand, anesthesia by subjecting them to a lower water temperature is more economical and safer. The use of cold water for anesthesia in mud crabs is common and has been used in other studies due to its efficiency, simplicity, and minimal impact on recovery and survival37,48,49.
Although eyestalk ablation using both cauterization and surgery methods has a minimal effect on crab survival and enhances ovarian maturation, performing eyestalk ablation requires professional mastery of the techniques. The timing between the steps is critical as any delay between protocols adds additional stress for the crabs. Unlike the surgery technique, the cauterization technique is dangerous because it involves the use of flammable equipment (i.e., a blow torch and butane gas). Thus, extra caution is needed when performing the cauterization technique.
Crabs are cannibalistic in nature, and they are known to prey on others that have just completed their molt and are still in their soft-shell conditions7,50,51. Thus, rearing the crabs individually can avoid unnecessary mortality due to cannibalism. The use of individual rearing in mud crab culture is commonly practiced, both in high-density culture and pond culture, for fattening and soft-shell crab farming purposes8,52. This protocol also utilized individual rearing and maintenance. During the transportation of the crabs for rearing or commerce, the crab chelipeds are tied up securely (or even autotomized) to prevent fighting, unnecessary injury, and limb loss34.
The described protocol for eyestalk ablation should be performed with multiple persons. After completing the eyestalk ablation, non-disposable equipment (e.g., the aquarium, tray, towel, etc.) should be disinfected with 30 ppm chlorine. The crabs must be monitored at least twice per day. Any dead crabs, uneaten feed, ablated limbs, or molted crab shells should be swiftly disposed of (i.e., buried in soil with bleaching powder) to prevent any potential for disease spread.
to:
This protocol was developed for the eyestalk ablation of the mud crab, Scylla spp., and can be applied as an efficient method to induce gonad maturation. This protocol can be easily replicated for the commercial ovary maturation of mud crabs and can be implemented to reduce the latent period (time from one spawning to another) in mud crab seed production.
The eyestalk ablation of crustaceans (i.e., freshwater prawn, marine shrimp) is typically done to induce gonad maturation and out-of-season spawning11,12,13. Eyestalk ablation in brachyuran crabs has also been done to study molting25,32,33, hormonal regulation18, gonad maturation34, and induced breeding and reproductive performance35,36,37,38,39. Anesthesia via immersion in 2-phenoxyethanol was used as it is comparable to the use of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) in arthopods but cheaper and does not require the use of additional buffer40. Unilateral or bilateral eyestalk ablation influences the physiology of the crustacean. Eyestalk ablation following the protocol stated in this study also influences the ovarian maturation rate of mud crabs. In the control treatment (without eyestalk ablation), 43.33% ± 5.77% of female crabs had an immature ovary (stage-1). However, in the same rearing period (30 days), eyestalk-ablated female crabs had pre-maturing ovaries (stage-3; 56.67% ± 11.55% and 53.33% ± 15.28% with the cauterization and surgery techniques, respectively), which shows that eyestalk ablation can increase the gonad maturation of mud crabs. Previous studies have also reported that the ovarian development of intact crabs (without eyestalk ablation) is slower than that of eyestalk-ablated crabs25,31. Due to the slower gonadal development in intact crustaceans, eyestalk ablation is widely done in commercial prawn and shrimp hatcheries. In this protocol, the eyestalk-ablated female crabs achieved higher percentages of ovarian maturation compared to the female crabs without the eyestalk ablation treatment (Figure 3).
The gonad maturation of the mud crab is regulated by hormones21,41,42. The eyestalk contains important endocrine glands (i.e., the X-organ-sinus gland complex) that play vital roles in the gonadal maturation process of mud crabs18,21. Unilateral eyestalk ablation, either by cauterization or surgery, damages one of the major endocrine glands that is involved in the synthesis and release of inhibiting hormones (e.g., VIH), thereby resulting in a higher level of gonad-stimulating hormones (i.e., VSH).
The ovarian maturation stages of Scylla spp. can be differentiated by observing the ovarian tissue coloration with the naked eye29,30,43. Translucent or creamy white ovarian tissues are indications of immature ovaries29,30,43,44. In this study, immature ovaries (stage-1) were still found in the group of female crabs without eyestalk ablation due to the slower ovarian maturation process. However, the crabs in the eyestalk-ablated groups (both by the cauterization and surgery techniques) mostly showed pre-maturing ovaries (stage-3), with some individuals exhibiting fully matured ovaries (stage-4). Therefore, the protocol of eyestalk ablation described here can be used to increase ovarian maturation in female mud crabs. This protocol can also be applied directly to wild-collected mature female mud crabs to hasten their seed production. To evaluate the effectiveness of cauterization and surgery methods on mud crab gonad maturation and to ensure the accurate estimation of molting duration, sexually pre-mature crabs were used. After the (induced) molting of sexually pre-mature female crabs, we noticed that their ovaries were still in the immature or early developing stages29,45. After 30 days of rearing the newly mature female crabs (either eyestalk-ablated or without eyestalk ablation), the ovarian development stages (stage-1 to stage-4) were determined by the color of the ovarian tissues. This protocol encourages the use of the cauterization technique to perform eyestalk ablation in mud crabs to avoid any hemolymph loss and prevent infection at the ablated sites. Cauterization immediately seals the wound, whereas the surgery technique takes time for the wound to heal and this would allow for chance of infection. For commercial purposes, larger mature crabs, preferably at a later stage of ovarian maturation, should be selected for eyestalk ablation to shorten the time to reach the fully matured ovary stage for subsequent commerce or brood stock culture. In addition to eyestalk ablation, individual rearing with sand substrate and sufficient feeding, preferably with live feed, can increase the gonad maturation rate of mud crabs in captivity30,35,46,47.
Crustacean blood is called hemolymph and can be lost during eyestalk ablation. An excessive loss of hemolymph may lead to the death of eyestalk-ablated crabs, especially when performing surgery to remove the eyestalk. The hemolymph can coagulate in the wounded part to prevent loss. However, in comparison to the surgery technique, the cauterization technique seals the wounded part immediately, thereby preventing the loss of hemolymph and possible infection.
Mud crab mortality after unilateral eyestalk ablation with either cauterization or surgery was not found within the first 7 days. Thus, eyestalk ablation can be done with a higher survival rate. Unilateral eyestalk ablation does not hamper the survival rate of the crab33.
Stress during crab handling and eyestalk ablation may contribute to crab mortality. Proper anesthesia is needed to minimize handling stress during eyestalk ablation. In crustacean eyestalk ablation, chemical anesthetics (i.e., xylocaine, lidocaine) are used at the base of the eyestalk before eyestalk ablation14,15,17,48. However, due to the aggressive nature and large size of mud crabs, the use of anesthesia only at the base of the eyestalk is not sufficient and might result in additional stress to the animals during the injection. On the other hand, anesthesia by subjecting them to a lower water temperature is more economical and safer. The use of cold water for anesthesia in mud crabs is common and has been used in other studies due to its efficiency, simplicity, and minimal impact on recovery and survival37,49,50. In addition, future research on pain assessment following eyestalk ablation on mud crabs is recommended to highlight the change in behaviours associated with pain and stress, as evident in freshwater prawn Macrobrachium americanum51.
Although eyestalk ablation using both cauterization and surgery methods has a minimal effect on crab survival and enhances ovarian maturation, performing eyestalk ablation requires professional mastery of the techniques. The timing between the steps is critical as any delay between protocols adds additional stress for the crabs. Unlike the surgery technique, the cauterization technique is dangerous because it involves the use of flammable equipment (i.e., a blow torch and butane gas). Thus, extra caution is needed when performing the cauterization technique.
Crabs are cannibalistic in nature, and they are known to prey on others that have just completed their molt and are still in their soft-shell conditions7,52,53. Thus, rearing the crabs individually can avoid unnecessary mortality due to cannibalism. The use of individual rearing in mud crab culture is commonly practiced, both in high-density culture and pond culture, for fattening and soft-shell crab farming purposes8,53. This protocol also utilized individual rearing and maintenance. During the transportation of the crabs for rearing or commerce, the crab chelipeds are tied up securely (or even autotomized) to prevent fighting, unnecessary injury, and limb loss34.
The described protocol for eyestalk ablation should be performed with multiple persons. After completing the eyestalk ablation, non-disposable equipment (e.g., the aquarium, tray, towel, etc.) should be disinfected with 30 ppm chlorine. The crabs must be monitored at least twice per day. Any dead crabs, uneaten feed, ablated limbs, or molted crab shells should be swiftly disposed of (i.e., buried in soil with bleaching powder) to prevent any potential for disease spread.
The References have been updated from:
to:
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