A Effects of removal or trimming of chelipeds on regeneration, growth rate, and canibalism in Mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) juvenile nursery
Vol. 134 No. 3B (2025), Original Article
Vol. 134 No. 3B (2025)

A Effects of removal or trimming of chelipeds on regeneration, growth rate, and canibalism in Mud crab (Scylla paramamosain) juvenile nursery

Original Article
https://doi.org/10.26459/hueunijard.v134i3B.7750
Published 2025-06-30
Le Tan Phat
University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, 102 Phung Hung St., Hue, Vietnam
Nguyen Van Huy
University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, 102 Phung Hung St., Hue, Vietnam
Mac Nhu Binh
University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, 102 Phung Hung St., Hue, Vietnam
Hoang Nghia Manh
University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, 102 Phung Hung St., Hue, Vietnam
Ton That Chat
University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, 102 Phung Hung St., Hue, Vietnam
PDF (Vietnamese)

Keywords

ăn thịt đồng loại
cắt càng
cua xanh
tái sinh càng cannibalism
removal of chelipeds
mud crab
regeneration

Abstract

Cannibalism is a major factor leading to reduced survival rates during the nursery phase of the mud crab Scylla paramamosain. The removal or trimming of chelipeds (claws) has been recognized as an effective strategy to limit cannibalism and improve juvenile crab survival. This study aimed to evaluate the regeneration capacity of chelipeds, as well as growth performance, survival rate, and cannibalism incidence under nursery conditions for S. paramamosain. Juvenile crabs were assigned to three treatments: intact crabs (NT-ĐC), crabs with both claw pincers trimmed (NT-K), and crabs with both chelipeds removed (NT-C). After a 30-day nursery period, results showed that crabs in the NT-K and NT-C groups regenerated their claws after two molting cycles. These groups also exhibited significantly higher survival rates and lower cannibalism incidences (types I and II) compared to the control (p < 0.05). No significant differences in growth rate or size variation in carapace length, carapace width, and body weight were observed among treatments (p>0.05). The NT-C treatment achieved the best outcomes, with a survival rate of 60.67%, and cannibalism rates of 16.33% (type I) and 4.33% (type II). Based on these findings, the study recommends cheliped removal as an effective technique in juvenile S. paramamosain nursery practices to enhance survival and reduce cannibalism.

https://doi.org/10.26459/hueunijard.v134i3B.7750
PDF (Vietnamese)

References

  1. Backwell, P., Christy, J., Telford, S., Jennions, M., & Passmore, N. (2000), Dishonest signaling in a fiddler crab. Proceedings. Biological sciences/The Royal Society, 267, 719−24. Doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2000.1062.
  2. Li, Y. Q., & Sun, X. (2013), Agonistic behaviors of aquatic animals. Zoological Research, 34(3), 214−220.
  3. Darnell, M. Z., Rittschof, C. C., Rittschof, J., Beach, C., & Rittschof, D. (2018), Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 509, 66–70. Doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe. 2018.09.001.
  4. Zhang, C., Yang, X., Xu, M., Huang, G., Zhang, Q., Cheng, Y., He, L., & Ren, H. (2018), Melatonin promotes cheliped regeneration, digestive enzyme function, and immunity following autotomy in the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. Front Physiol. Doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00269.eCollection 2018.
  5. Fujaya, Y., Rukminasari, N., Alam, N., Rusdi, M., Fazhan, H., & Waiho, K. (2020), Is limb autotomy really efficient compared to traditional rearing in soft-shell crab (Scylla olivacea) production, Aquaculture Reports, 18, 100432. Doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep. 2020.100432.
  6. Mykles, D. L. (2001), Interactions between limb regeneration and molting in decapods crustaceans, American Zoologist, 41(3), 399−406.
  7. Rodriguez, E. M., Estepa, F.D.P., & Quinitio, E. T. (2007), Extension of nursery culture of Scylla serrata (Forsskal) juveniles in net cages and ponds, Aquaculture Research, 38, 1588−1592.
  8. Ut, V. N., Le, Vay., Nghia, T. T., & Hanh, T. T. H. (2007), Development of nursery culturetechniques for the mud crab S. paramamosain (Estampador), Aquaculture Research, 38, 1563−1568.
  9. Mirera, D., & Moksnes, PO. (2013), Cannibalistic interactions of juvenile mud crabs Scylla serrata: the effect of shelter and crab size, African Journal of Marine Science, 35, 545−553. Doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2013.865677.
  10. Fazhan, H., Waiho, K., Al-Hafiz, I., Kasan, N.A., Ishak, S.D., Afiqah-Aleng, N., Tola, S., & Ikhwanuddin, M. (2021), Composition, size distribution, length-weight relationship of sympatric mud crab species (Scylla) and the case of presumed hybrids, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 250, 107154. Doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.107154.
  11. Sanda, T., Shimizu, T., Dan, S., & Hamasaki, K. (2021), Effect of body size on cannibalism in juvenile mud crab Scylla serrata (Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae) under laboratory conditions, Crustacean Research, 50, 87−93. Doi.org/10.18353/crustacea.50.0_87.
  12. Gong, J., Yu, K., Shu, L., Ye, H., Li, S., & Zeng, C. (2015), Evaluating the effects of temperature, salinity, starvation and autotomy on molting success, molting interval and expression of ecdysone receptor in early juvenile mud crabs, Scylla paramamosain, Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 464, 11−17. Doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jembe.2014.12.008.
  13. Cruz‐Huervana, J., Quinitio, E. T., & Valeriano, L. C. (2019), Induction of moulting in hatchery‐reared mangrove crab Scylla serrata juveniles through temperature manipulation or autotomy, Aquaculture Research, 50, 3000–3008. Doi.org/10.1111 /are.14257.
  14. Quinitio, E. T., & Estepa, F. D. P. (2011), Survival and growth of mud crab, Scylla serrata, juveniles subjected to removal or trimming of chelipeds, Aquaculture, 31, 229−234.
  15. Gong, J., Huang, C., Yu, K., Li, S., Zeng, C., & Ye, H. (2022), The effects of feeding ration and cheliped autotomy on the growth and expression of ecdysteroid receptor in early juvenile mud crabs, Scylla paramamosain, Aquaculture Reports, 25. Doi.org/10.1016/ j.aqrep.2022.101206.
  16. Kro´l., & Zakes. (2015), Effect of dietary L-tryptophan on cannibalism, survival and growth in pikeperch Sander lucioperca (L.) post-larvae, Aquaculture International, 24. Doi.org/10.1007/s10499-015-9936-1.
  17. Nghia, V. D., Huu, L. D., An, L. T. T., & Huy, N. V. (2022), Effects of dietary tryptophan on cannibalism, survival and growth of Wallago attu (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) juveniles, Hue University Journal of Science: Natural Science, 131, 67−75. Doi.org/10.26459/hueunijns.v131i1D.6516.
  18. Brock, R., & Smith, L. (1998), Recovery of Claw Size and Function Following Autotomy in Cancer productus (Decapoda: Brachyura), Biological Bulletin, 194. Doi.org/ 10.2307/ 1542513.
  19. He, J., Wu, X., & Cheng, Y. (2016), Effects of limb autotomy on growth, feeding and regeneration in the juvenile Eriocheir sinensis, Aquaculture, 457, 79−84. Doi.org/ 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2016.02.004.
  20. Liu, L., Fu, Y., Zhu, F., Mu, C., Li, R., Song, W., Shi, C., Ye, Y., & Wang, C. (2018), Transcriptomic analysis of Portunus trituberculatus reveals a critical role for WNT4 and WNT signalling in limb regeneration, Gene, 658, 113−122.
  21. Barría, E. M., & González, M. I. (2008), Effect of Autotomy and Regeneration of the Chelipeds on Growth and Development in Petrolisthes laevigatus (Guérin, 1835) (Decapoda, Anomura, Porcellanidae), Crustaceana, 81(6), 641−652.
  22. Parsons, D. M., & Eggleston, D. B. (2005), Indirect effects of recreational fishing on behavior of the spiny lobster Panulirus argus, Marine Ecology Progress Series, 303, 235−244.
  23. Romano, N., & Zeng, C. (2017), Cannibalism of Decapod Crustaceans and Implications for Their Aquaculture: A Review of its Prevalence, InfluencingFactors, and Mitigating Methods, Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 25(1), 42−69. Doi.org/ 10.1080/23308249.2016.1221379.
  24. Karplus, I., Samsonov, E., Hulata, G., & Milstein, A. (1989), Social control of growth in Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The effect of claw ablation on survival and growth of communally raised prawns, Aquaculture, 80, 325–335.
  25. Kendal, R. A., Van Olst, J. C., & Carlberg, J. M. (1982), Effects of chelae immobilization on growth and survivor ship for individually and communally raised lobsters, Homarus americanus, Aquaculture, 29, 359−372.
  26. Rahman, M., Asaduzzaman, M., Zahangir, M., Islam, M., Nahid, S., Jahan, D., Mahmud, Y., & Khan, M. (2020), Evaluation of limb autotomy as a promising strategy to improve production performances of mud crab (Scylla olivacea) in the soft-shell farming system, Aquaculture Research, 1−18. Doi.org/10.1111/ are.14598.