Macrobrachium vollenhoveni

Last updated

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Caridea
Family: Palaemonidae
Genus: Macrobrachium
Species:
M. vollenhoveni
Binomial name
Macrobrachium vollenhoveni
(Herklots, 1857)
Synonyms [1]
  • Palaemon vollenhoveniiHerklots, 1857

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni, the African river prawn, is a species of large, commercially important prawn from the family Palaemonidae from West Africa. It is a catadromous species that moves from freshwater to brackish water to spawn returning to freshwater as larvae. Recent research has shown that it could potentially be used as a biological control to reduce the rates of infection people living near rivers where this species occurs with schistosomiasis.

Contents

Description

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni is a large prawn which grows up to 189mm, but is more usually 100-150mm in length. It is generally a pale colour without any spots but with a thin dark longitudinal line on the carapace and transverse stripes across the abdomen and a thin line across the rear margin of the carapace. The third maxillipeds are bright yellow and the fingers of 2nd cheliped is dark blue with a yellow patch at the joint with the palm. [2]

Other identification features include the rostrum being equal to or shorter than the antennal scale; with the dorsal edge being convex over the eye and the tip having a short toothless portion. On the legs the second chelipeds have the Carpus shorter than palm, movable dactyls with a single large tooth at midlength of the dactyl. [2]

Distribution

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni is endemic to West Africa from Senegal to Angola, [3] as well as the islands of Bioko, São Tomé and Cape Verde. [4]

Biology

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni occurs in fresh and brackish waters, including mangrove creeks and inland rivers except for acidic waters. [2] A pre-copulatory form of ritualised behaviour which involves olfactory and tactile cues has been observed, fertilisation involves indirect sperm transfer. [3] Mating in the genus Macrobrachium involves the male depositing spermatophores on the ventral side of the female's thorax, between the pereiopods. The female then releases eggs which pass through the spermatophores and are fertilised. [5] After mating the females carry the eggs downstream from freshwater to the estuarine areas to spawn as the larvae must develop in saline water. [3] As the eggs are unable to hatch at higher salinities the females migrate downstream in the rainy season when salinity in the estuarine areas has been lowered. [4] The larvae then move back upstream into freshwater to complete their development. [6]

M. vollenhoveni is omnivorous and the major part of its diet consists of plant materials, algae, diatoms, protozoa and invertebrates.[ citation needed ] They are non-selective opportunistic feeders, feeding on plankton, especially Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta. It has been described as s detritus feeder with a preference for animal remains and has been observed feeding on tadpoles and fish fry. [7]

Fisheries and aquaculture

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni is fished for using leaf and brush traps in both freshwater and brackish water environments. It is not the primary target in most fisheries which are usually targeting the related species of Macrobrachium felicinum and Macrobrachium macrobrachion , although there are reported to be full-time M. vollenhovenii fisheries in Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria at peak season. [2]

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni has been assessed as being very suitable for aquaculture in numerous studies as one of the largest species in the genus Macrobrachium, because it tolerates a wide range of environments and is an omnivore. The methods of aquaculture are very similar to those used to farm the cultured species Macrobrachium rosenbergii . Studies have looked at the nutritional value of the prawns and the possible use of the rather unappetising shells as a sustainable source of meal to use as food in aquaculture systems. As at 2017, large scale aquaculture of M. vollenhoveniihas not taken off, possibly because the requirement for more saline water for hatching eggs has not been understood. [4] [2] [7]

Use as a biological control for schistosomiasis

Macrobrachium vollenhoveni is an omnivore but larger individuals will prey on freshwater snails, including those species which act as intermediate hosts to the parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma which can infect humans and cause the chronic parasitic infection schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia. [6] [8] On the Senegal River the Diama Dam was built about 50 km from the mouth of the river and blocked the access of prawns up stream of the dam to the brackish water of the estuary for breeding so these populations of prawns eventually collapsed, this in turn led to a huge increase in the rates of infection with Schistosoma of people living near the river up stream of the dam. This inferred that the loss of prawn populations may be linked to the huge increases in rates of infection with Schistosoma. [8] with infection rates attaining 71.8% in some villages. [6]

As M. rosenbergii has been shown to be an effective predator of the snails which act as intermediate hosts to the parasites under laboratory conditions it was thought that the similar M.vollenhoveni potentially would too, and this was shown to be the case. The larger males were more effective in predating the snails so efforts were focussed on producing single sex generations which could be used to populate rivers. As these were males they would grow faster and larger, they would not tend to migrate downstream and they would stay close to where they were introduced to the river. They could also be corralled into shallow water where the snails were concentrated increasing the effectiveness of their predation. [6] The prawns could still be harvested for food as the parasite cannot be passed to humans after being consumed by the prawns. [8] The use of prawns shows potential in helping to control infection rates of schistosomiasis in conjunction with drugs and other biological controls such as catfish and domestic ducks. [8]

Related Research Articles

Schistosomiasis Human disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomes

Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever, bilharzia, and Katayama fever, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes. The urinary tract or the intestines may be infected. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, or blood in the urine. Those who have been infected for a long time may experience liver damage, kidney failure, infertility, or bladder cancer. In children, it may cause poor growth and learning difficulty.

<i>Schistosoma</i> Genus of flukes

Schistosoma is a genus of trematodes, commonly known as blood flukes. They are parasitic flatworms responsible for a highly significant group of infections in humans termed schistosomiasis, which is considered by the World Health Organization as the second-most socioeconomically devastating parasitic disease, with hundreds of millions infected worldwide.

Freshwater prawn farming

A freshwater prawn farm is an aquaculture business designed to raise and produce freshwater prawns or shrimp for human consumption. Freshwater prawn farming shares many characteristics with, and many of the same problems as, marine shrimp farming. Unique problems are introduced by the developmental life cycle of the main species.

<i>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</i> Species of prawn

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, also known as the giant river prawn or giant freshwater prawn, is a commercially important species of palaemonid freshwater prawn. It is found throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the Indo-Pacific region, from India to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. The giant freshwater prawn has also been introduced to parts of Africa, Thailand, China, Japan, New Zealand, the Americas, and the Caribbean. It is one of the biggest freshwater prawns in the world, and is widely cultivated in several countries for food. While M. rosenbergii is considered a freshwater species, the larval stage of the animal depends on brackish water. Once the individual shrimp has grown beyond the planktonic stage and becomes a juvenile, it lives entirely in fresh water.

Schistosoma japonicum is an important parasite and one of the major infectious agents of schistosomiasis. This parasite has a very wide host range, infecting at least 31 species of wild mammals, including 9 carnivores, 16 rodents, one primate (human), two insectivores and three artiodactyls and therefore it can be considered a true zoonosis. Travelers should be well-aware of where this parasite might be a problem and how to prevent the infection. S. japonicum occurs in the Far East, such as China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

<i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> Species of fluke

Schistosoma mansoni is a water-borne parasite of humans, and belongs to the group of blood flukes (Schistosoma). The adult lives in the blood vessels near the human intestine. It causes intestinal schistosomiasis. Clinical symptoms are caused by the eggs. As the leading cause of schistosomiasis in the world, it is the most prevalent parasite in humans. It is classified as a neglected tropical disease. As of 2021, the World Health Organization reports that 236.6 million people have schistosomiasis and most of it is due to S. mansoni. It is found in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname.

<i>Biomphalaria</i> Genus of gastropods

Biomphalaria is a genus of air-breathing freshwater snails, aquatic pulmonate gastropod mollusks in the family Planorbidae, the ram's horn snails and their allies.

<i>Schistosoma intercalatum</i> Species of fluke

Schistosoma intercalatum is a parasitic worm found in parts of western and central Africa. There are two strains: the Lower Guinea strain and the Zaire strain. S. intercalatum is one of the major agents of the rectal form of schistosomiasis, also called bilharzia. It is a trematode, and being part of the genus Schistosoma, it is commonly referred to as a blood-fluke since the adult resides in blood vessels.

<i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> Species of fluke

Schistosoma haematobium is a species of digenetic trematode, belonging to a group (genus) of blood flukes (Schistosoma). It is found in Africa and the Middle East. It is the major agent of schistosomiasis, the most prevalent parasitic infection in humans. It is the only blood fluke that infects the urinary tract, causing urinary schistosomiasis, and is the leading cause of bladder cancer. The diseases are caused by the eggs.

<i>Schistosoma malayensis</i> Species of fluke

Schistosoma malayensis is a schistosome parasite. It was first described in 1988 in Peninsular Malaysia and appears to be a zooenotic infection. The species is named after the country of Malaysia. The natural vertebrate host is van Müller's rat. The intermediate hosts are aquatic snails, Robertsiella kaporenisis. Among Robertsiella kaporenisis are two other Roberstiella species.

Schistosoma indicum is a species of digenetic trematode in the family Schistosomatidae. The parasite is widespread in domestic animals in India and other Asian countries.

<i>Neotricula aperta</i> Species of gastropod

Neotricula aperta is a species of freshwater snail, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Pomatiopsidae.

Schistosoma mekongi is a species of trematodes, also known as flukes. It is one of the five major schistosomes that account for all human infections, the other four being S. haematobium, S. mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. intercalatum. This trematode causes schistosomiasis in humans.

<i>Macrobrachium ohione</i> Species of crustacean

Macrobrachium ohione, commonly known as the Ohio shrimp, Ohio river shrimp or Ohio river prawn, is a species of freshwater shrimp found in rivers throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean drainage basins of North America. It is the best-known of all North American freshwater shrimp, and is commonly used as bait for commercial fishing, especially catfish.

<i>Macrobrachium</i> Genus of crustaceans

Macrobrachium is a genus of freshwater prawns or shrimps characterised by the extreme enlargement of the second pair of pereiopods, at least in the male.

<i>Bulinus forskalii</i> Species of gastropod

Bulinus forskalii is a species of tropical freshwater snail with a sinistral shell, an aquatic gastropod mollusk in the family Bulinidae, the ramshorn snails and their allies.

ICAR - Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Rohtak also called as ICAR-CIFE Rohtak is one of the regional research and education campus of the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), which is a Deemed to be University and institution of higher learning for fisheries science.

Schistosoma bovis is a two-host blood fluke, that causes intestinal schistosomiasis in ruminants in North Africa, Mediterranean Europe and the Middle East. S. bovis is mostly transmitted by Bulinus freshwater snail species. It is one of nine haematobium group species and exists in the same geographical areas as Schistosoma haematobium, with which it can hybridise. S. bovis-haematobium hybrids can infect humans, and have been reported in Senegal since 2009, and a 2013 outbreak in Corsica.

Trematoda in Kuwait

Trematoda is a whole-living worm that lives in different parts of the host's body, some of which live in bile ducts. These are called hepatic worms such as Fasciola species, including species that live in the intestines such as the genus Heterophyes, including those living in blood vessels such as the genus that causes schistosomiasis, the genus of Schistosoma. Including what lives in the lung such as the genus of Paragonimus.

Macrobrachium scabriculum is a species of freshwater shrimp distributed widely in Indo-Pacific region. It is known as Goda River prawn. The total length of male prawns become about 6.5 cm long and in females it is about 5 cm. A kind of fur develop on the chelipeds of males. Eggs produced by M. scabriculum are smaller in size, brownish in color, elliptical or oval in shape and hatched larvae undergone migration to low saline water for completion its life cycle.

References

  1. ↑ "Synonyms of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots, 1857)". SeaLifeBase. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 C.B. Powell (1983). "The Fresh and Brackish Water Shrimps of Economic Importance in the Niger Delta". The proceedings of the 2nd Annual conference of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria held on 25th-27th January, 1982, at Calabar, Nigeria. Kainji Lake Research Institute Research Institute, New Bussa, Nigeria (PDF). University of Port Harcourt. pp. 254–285.
  3. 1 2 3 "Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Herklots, 1857)". Sea Life Base. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 Jutta Willführ-Nast; Harald Rosenthal; Paul J. Udo; Friedrich Nast (1993). "Laboratory cultivation and experimental studies of salinity effects on larval development in the African River prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Decapoda, Palaemonidae)" (PDF). Aquatic Living Resources. 6 (2): 115–137. doi:10.1051/alr:1993012.
  5. ↑ Forrest Wynne (May 2000). "Grow-out culture of freshwater prawns in Kentucky". Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2005.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Amit Savaya Alkalay; Ohad Rosen; Susanne H. Sokolow; et al. (2014). "The Prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii in the Senegal River Basin: Towards Sustainable Restocking of All-Male Populations for Biological Control of Schistosomiasis". PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 8 (8): e3060. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003060. PMC   4148216 . PMID   25166746.
  7. 1 2 I. E. Marioghae (1987). An appraisal of the cultivability of Nigerian palaemonid prawns (Report). Food and Agriculture Organization.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Jonathan Amos (11 January 2017). "Recruiting prawns to fight river parasite". BBC News. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.