Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chuang Liu, Rongqing Zhang
Summary: This study investigated adhesive proteins from the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata using transcriptomics and proteomics, identifying 16 novel proteins with potential applications in underwater adhesive synthesis and anti-biofouling strategies. The identification of these proteins represents a key step towards understanding byssus formation and marine bioadhesion.
Article
Fisheries
Pranesh Kishore, Max Wingfield, Thane A. Militz, Tracy Aisea, Paul C. Southgate
Summary: Using appropriate anaesthetics can reduce stress and mortality in pearl oysters during nucleus implanting. This study evaluated the efficacy of benzocaine and 1-propylene phenoxetol in winged pearl oysters and found that higher concentrations of anaesthetics resulted in faster relaxation and increased success rate. However, it also caused mantle collapse in large oysters.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alessandra Whaite, Anne Klein, Shahida Mitu, Tianfang Wang, Abigail Elizur, Scott Cummins
Summary: In this study, P. maxima byssal threads were analyzed using proteotranscriptomics, revealing 49 proteins. Further characterization was conducted on five highly expressed genes, providing insight into the glands involved in byssal thread production. The spatial distribution of certain proteins helped identify glandular regions contributing to thread production. This research advances understanding of the byssal threads and provides a foundation for marine biopolymer design.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophie E. Gordon, Max Wingfield, Patrick F. Smallhorn-West, Siola'a Malimali, Tu'ikologahau Halafihi, David S. Schoeman, Paul C. Southgate
Summary: The environmental conditions significantly affect the growth performance of Pteria penguin pearl oysters, with warmer water temperatures in the northern sites of the Kingdom of Tonga leading to superior growth. Variations in growth performance were also observed within the southern island group, potentially driven by differences in wave energy. This study highlights the importance of optimal environmental conditions for maximizing pearl production and profitability in pearl oyster farming.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haijun Wei, Mingqiang Chen, Zhenghua Deng, Jing Sun, Jingru Yang, Wang Zhao, Youning Li, Zhenhua Ma, Yu Wang, Gang Yu
Summary: This study investigated the molecular changes in pearl oysters in response to acute salinity stress. The researchers identified differentially expressed genes and explored their potential functions in relation to membrane transport and immune response. The findings contribute to our understanding of how pearl oysters adapt to salinity stress.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
William Johnston, Sophie E. Gordon, Max Wingfield, Tuikolongahau Halafihi, Paul C. Southgate
Summary: Mabe ' pearl culture has become an important addition to traditional rural livelihood activities in Tonga and other South Pacific countries. This low-cost, low-tech alternative to round pearl culture has the potential for value adding through jewelry production. Recent research suggests that using fewer and lower profile nuclei may improve the quality of resulting mabe ' pearls.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zaiming Han, Taifeng Jiang, Liping Xie, Rongqing Zhang
Summary: The study found that high abundance of microplastics in the ocean negatively affects the formation of shells and pearls, while low-quality round pearls contain less microplastics. During the biomineralization process of bivalves, microplastics become embedded in shells and increase the expression of biomineralization-related genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Haijun Wei, Mingqiang Chen, Zhenghua Deng, Wang Zhao, Youning Li, Wei Fang, Zhenhua Ma, Yu Wang, Gang Yu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of acute salinity stress on the immune and antioxidant responses of Pinctada maxima. The results showed that immune enzymes and antioxidant enzymes and substances in P. maxima were significantly affected by different salinity gradients and duration of salinity stress. P. maxima exhibited a stronger tolerance to high salinity than low salinity.
AQUACULTURE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jingru Yang, Zhengyi Fu, Gang Yu, Zhenhua Ma, Xiaomei Wang
Summary: The water environment has a significant impact on the physiological processes of aquatic animals. This study analyzed the physiological changes and immune responses of pearl oysters under different temperature and salinity levels. The results showed that temperature and salinity had significant effects on the antioxidant response of pearl oysters, with different levels of interaction. Appropriate immune and antioxidant index models were established under combined temperature and salinity conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohcine Charifi, Razan Khalifa, Bruno W. Giraldes, Mohamedou Sow, Zainab Hizam, Mathieu Carrara, Eric Maneux, Shafeeq Hamza, Anne Basseres, Philippe Blanc, Alexandra Leitao, Jean-Charles Massabuau
Summary: The study explores the possible impact of noise and light pollution on the behavior and biological traits of Pinctada radiata without added chemical exposure. It found that noise and light pollution significantly alter pearl oyster behavior, affecting their grouping, valve activity, biological rhythm, growth rate, and spawning behavior.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Shouguo Yang, Xi Li, Zhan Zang, Jiaoni Li, Aimin Wang, Yaohua Shi, Xingzhi Zhang, Zhifeng Gu, Xing Zheng, Hebert Ely Vasquez
Summary: The effects of fresh and spray-dried microalgal diets on the growth, digestive enzymatic activity, and gut microbial community of the winged pearl oyster were investigated. The spray-dried diets slightly improved shell growth rates and increased activity levels of digestive enzymes. The diets also promoted high microbial biodiversity and maintained the intestinal micro-ecological balance and health.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Carmel McDougall, Felipe Aguilera, Ali Shokoohmand, Patrick Moase, Bernard M. Degnan
Summary: Research shows that differential gene expression in pearl sacs correlates with pearl defects, indicating that gene regulation in the pearl sac influences the appearance and quality of pearls. This suggests that gene expression profiling can enhance our understanding of biomineralization processes, offering potential benefits for the pearl industry in addressing defects that lead to low value pearls.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hailing Wu, Chuangye Yang, Ruijuan Hao, Yongshan Liao, Qingheng Wang, Yuewen Deng
Summary: Lipidomic analysis revealed the important roles of lipids in immune response, pearl sac maturation, and pearl formation in pearl oysters after transplantation, which may enhance the survival rate and quality of transplanted pearl oysters.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Zefeng Gu, Jingmiao Yang, Min Yang, Yuewen Deng, Yu Jiao
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of DAC on DNA methylation and the immune system of pearl oysters. The results showed that DAC decreased global DNA methylation level and activated immune-related genes, leading to an improvement in humoral immunity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism underlying DNA methylation in immune regulation.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kevin Osterheld, John Davidson, Luc A. Comeau, Tiago Hori, Jose M. F. Babarro, Christian Pellerin, Isabelle Marcotte, Rejean Tremblay
Summary: A major problem in mussel farming is the fall-off of mussels from mussel socks due to weakened byssal threads, especially after spawning events. In recent decades, efforts have been put into producing triploid bivalves, which have lower reproductive investment. This study compared the byssal properties and energetic rates of triploid and diploid 1-year-old mussels (<30-mm). The results showed that triploid mussels produced more threads, had stronger byssal threads, and had higher clearance rates and scope for growth compared to diploids.
