Effects of photoperiod on growth and ovarian maturation in female green mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forsskål, 1775)

Manimaran H; Chidambaram P; Cheryl Antony; Uma A; Selvaraj S; Dinesh R; Velmurugan R; Yuvarajan P; Joshna M

doi:10.17017/j.fish.1284

Manimaran H Department of Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Dr M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri – 601 204, Tamil Nadu, India
Chidambaram P Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Nagapattinam – 611 002, Tamil Nadu, India
Cheryl Antony Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Directorate of Sustainable Aquaculture, Nagapattinam – 611 002, Tamil Nadu, India
Uma A Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Directorate of Incubation and Vocational Training in Aquaculture (DIVA), ECR Muttukadu, Chennai – 603 112, Tamil Nadu, India
Selvaraj S Department of Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Dr M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri – 601 204, Tamil Nadu, India
Dinesh R Department of Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Dr M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri – 601 204, Tamil Nadu, India
Velmurugan R Department of Fishing Technology and Fisheries Engineering, Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Dr M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, Ponneri – 601 204, Tamil Nadu, India
Yuvarajan P Department of Aquaculture, Tamil Nadu Dr J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, Dr M.G.R. Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thalainayeru – 614 712, Tamil Nadu, India
Joshna M Department of Aquaculture, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University College of Fisheries Science, Muthukur-524 344, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.1284

Keywords: digestive enzymes, gonadal maturation, histology, mud crab, photoperiod

Abstract

Photoperiod is one of the most significant environmental cues for an organism, which are also essential for controlling its growth, metabolism, and maturity. The current study used an 8-week experiment to examine the effects of photoperiod T1 (12L∶12D), T2 (18L∶6D), and T3 (6L∶18D) on mud crab (Scylla serrata) growth performance and gonadal maturation. A total of 36 healthy crabs (average initial weight 416.18±2.42 g) were fed twice daily at 10% of body weight. Crabs cultured under 6L∶18D (T3) showed the highest final weight (486.54±4.44 g), weight gain (70.45±3.92 g), specific growth rate (0.26±0.01 % day^–¹), gonadosomatic index (12.06±0.20%), and hepatosomatic index (5.64±0.35%), significantly higher than T1 and T2. Digestive enzyme activities (amylase, protease, lipase) were highest in the 6L∶18D group, indicating efficient nutrient utilization. Ovarian carotenoid levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in 6L∶18D (0.4399±0.0640 µg mg^–1). Histology revealed advanced vitellogenesis and a healthy hepatopancreas in the 6L∶18D group, while the 18L∶6D showed delayed maturation. Overall, the results indicate that among the treatment groups, the 6L∶18D improved the growth, digestion, and reproductive performance of female S. serrata. This could be used in broodstock maturation, which has a detrimental effect on wild stock, and could offer valuable insights into sustainable broodstock management.

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