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Method Article
Deux protocoles d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire (c.-à-d. des approches de cautérisation et de chirurgie) ont été effectués sur des crabes femelles anesthésiés. L’ablation oculaire des crabes de vase a accéléré la maturation des ovaires sans diminuer le taux de survie.
Les crabes de vase (Scylla spp.) sont des espèces de crustacés commercialement importantes que l’on trouve dans toute la région indo-pacifique occidentale. Pendant la culture, l’induction de la maturation ovarienne est importante pour répondre à la demande des consommateurs de crabes de vase matures et accélérer la production de graines. L’ablation de la tige oculaire est un outil efficace pour améliorer la maturation ovarienne chez les crabes de boue. Cependant, il n’existe pas de protocole standard pour l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire des crabes de vase. Dans cette étude, deux techniques d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire sont décrites : la cautérisation (l’utilisation de métal chaud pour ablater le pédoncule oculaire d’un crabe anesthésié) et la chirurgie (l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire à l’aide de ciseaux chirurgicaux). Avant l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire, les femelles sexuellement matures (CW > 86 mm) ont été anesthésiées à l’aide d’un sac de glace (−20 °C) avec de l’eau de mer. Lorsque la température de l’eau a atteint 4 °C, le sac de glace a été retiré de l’eau. L’eau de mer qui coule (température ambiante : 28 °C) a été utilisée pour récupérer de l’anesthésie immédiatement après l’ablation du pédon. La mortalité ne s’est pas produite pendant ou après le processus d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire. Le protocole d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire présenté ici a accéléré la maturation ovarienne des crabes de boue.
Les quatre espèces de crabes de vase appartenant au genre Scylla sont des espèces de crustacés commercialement importantes en aquaculture 1,2. La croissance des crustacés, y compris les crabes de vase, et leur transformation de la phase prématurée (subadulte ou pubertaire) à la phase sexuellement mature (adulte) se produisent par un processus de mue qui implique l’excrétion périodique d’exosquelettes plus anciens et plus petits. La largeur de la carapace (CW), les chélipèdes et les morphologies des lambeaux abdominaux sont largement utilisés pour déterminer la maturité sexuelle de Scylla spp. 3,4,5. Le processus de mue est régulé par l’action de diverses hormones et nécessite une énorme quantité d’énergie6. En plus du processus normal de mue, la perte de membres, volontaire ou induite par des facteurs externes, accélère la mue des crabes sans affecter leur taux de survie 7,8,9. Par conséquent, l’autotomie des membres est couramment utilisée pour l’induction de la mue dans l’industrie de l’élevage du crabe de vaseà carapace molle 7,9.
L’ablation unilatérale ou bilatérale de la tige oculaire est surtout populaire chez les crevettes d’eau douce et les crevettes marines pour la maturation des gonades et la production de graines10,11,12,13. Les techniques courantes d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire chez les crustacés sont les suivantes: (i) ligature à la base du pédoncule oculaire à l’aide d’une ficelle14,15; ii) cautérisation du pédoncule oculaire à l’aide de pinces chaudes ou d’appareils d’électrocautérisation16; iii) l’ablation ou le pincement direct du pédoncule oculaire pour laisser une plaie ouverte12; et (iv) l’ablation du contenu de la tige oculaire par incision après avoir tranché la partie distale de l’œil avec un rasoir17. Les organes X du pédoncule oculaire sont des organes endocriniens importants chez les crustacés car ils régulent les hormones hyperglycémiques des crustacés (CHH), les hormones inhibitrices de la mue (MIH) et les hormones inhibitrices de la vitellogenèse (VIH)6,18,19,20,21,22. Les organes X de la tige oculaire (ou le complexe des glandes sinusales) synthétisent et libèrent des hormones inhibitrices des gonades (GIH), également connues sous le nom d’hormones inhibant la vitellogenèse (VIH), appartenant à la famille des hormones neuropeptidiques6. L’ablation unilatérale ou bilatérale du pédoncule oculaire réduit la synthèse de la GIH, ce qui entraîne la dominance des hormones stimulantes (c.-à-d. les hormones stimulant les gonades, GSH) et l’accélération du processus de maturation ovarienne chez les crustacés23,24,25,26. Sans l’influence de la GIH après l’ablation de la tige oculaire, les crustacés femelles consacrent leur énergie au développement des ovaires27. Il a été constaté que l’ablation unilatérale du pédoncule oculaire est suffisante pour l’induction de la maturation ovarienne chez les crustacés11 et que le pédoncule oculaire ablé des crevettes et des crabes peut se régénérer après plusieurs mues28. Quatre stades de développement ovarien ont été enregistrés chez Scylla spp. : i) immature (stade 1), ii) maturation précoce (stade 2), iii) prématuration (stade 3) et iv) pleine maturité (stade 4)29,30. Le stade ovarien immature se trouve chez les femelles immatures. Après la mue pubertaire et l’accouplement, l’ovaire immature commence à se développer et finit par mûrir (stade 4) avant de frayer31.
Un protocole d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire est essentiel au développement du stock de géniteurs de crabe de vase et à la production de semences. Sur le marché alimentaire mondial, les crabes de vase matures avec des ovaires complètement matures (stade 4) plutôt que les crabes avec une teneur musculaire plus élevée sont préférés par les consommateurs et, par conséquent, ont une valeur commerciale plus élevée, même plus élevée que les gros mâles. Il n’existe pas de protocole complet pour l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire des crabes de boue. Le protocole d’ablation du pédoncule oculaire dans ce travail minimise le stress en utilisant des crabes entièrement anesthésiés et minimise les blessures physiques au personnel causées par les morsures de crabe. Ce protocole est simple et rentable. Ici, nous présentons un protocole pour l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire de Scylla spp. qui peut induire la maturation de la gonade. Deux techniques d’ablation de la tige oculaire (cautérisation et chirurgie) ont été testées et leur efficacité comparée en fonction du taux de développement gonadique des crabes de boue femelles.
Ce protocole est conforme au Code de pratiques malaisien pour le soin et l’utilisation des animaux à des fins scientifiques décrit par l’Association malaisienne des sciences des animaux de laboratoire. Le sacrifice des échantillons expérimentaux a été effectué conformément au National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NIH Publications No. 8023, révisé en 1978). Des crabes de vase femelles sexuellement prématurés (crabe de boue orange S. olivacea) ont été récoltés sur le marché local (5°66′62′′N, 102°72′33′′E) dans les zones humides de Setiu en Malaisie. L’espèce de crabe de vase a été identifiée en fonction des caractéristiques morphologiques1.
1. Prélèvement et désinfection des échantillons
Figure 1 : Morphologie abdominale des crabes de vase femelles utilisés pour identifier les stades de maturation sexuelle. Veuillez cliquer ici pour voir une version agrandie de cette figure.
2. Acclimatation
3. Mue induite pour la maturité sexuelle
4. Anesthésie
5. Ablation de la tige oculaire
6. Soins post-anesthésiques
7. Observation de la maturation ovarienne
Maturation des gonades
Des tissus ovariens blanc crème (ovaires immatures, stade 1) ont été trouvés chez 100 % des femelles disséquées (n = 6) avant d’effectuer l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire (Figure 2). Le taux de maturation des gonades des crabes femelles ablées par le pédoncule oculaire (n = 63; 31 femelles avec la technique de cautérisation et 32 femelles avec la technique chirurgicale) était plus élevé que chez les crabes femelles qui n’ont pas s...
Ce protocole a été développé pour l’ablation du pédoncule oculaire du crabe de vase, Scylla spp., et peut être appliqué comme méthode efficace pour induire la maturation des gonades. Ce protocole peut être facilement reproduit pour la maturation ovarienne commerciale des crabes de vase et peut être mis en œuvre pour réduire la période de latence (temps d’un frai à l’autre) dans la production de graines de crabe de vase.
L’ablation oculaire des crustacés (c.-à-d...
Aucun des auteurs n’a de conflit d’intérêts.
Cette étude a été soutenue par le ministère de l’Éducation de Malaisie dans le cadre du programme Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Malaisie, accrédité auprès de l’Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (Vot No. 63933 & Vot No. 56048). Nous reconnaissons le soutien de l’Universiti Malaysia Terengganu et de Sayap Jaya Sdn. Bhd. via la subvention de recherche en partenariat privé (vot. n ° 55377). Un poste de boursier académique adjoint de l’Universiti Sains Malaysia à Khor Waiho et Hanafiah Fazhan est également reconnu.
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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