Enriched rearing environment and wild genetic background can enhance survival and disease resistance of salmonid fishes during parasite epidemics
Karvonen, Anssi; Aalto-Araneda, Mariella; Virtala, Anna-Maija; Kortet, Raine; Koski, Perttu; Hyvärinen, Pekka (2016)
Karvonen, Anssi
Aalto-Araneda, Mariella
Virtala, Anna-Maija
Kortet, Raine
Koski, Perttu
Hyvärinen, Pekka
Julkaisusarja
Journal of applied ecology
Volyymi
53
Sivut
p. 213-221
Blackwell
2016
Tiivistelmä
1. The importance and volume of aquaculture is increasing world-wide. Rearing practices
play a key role in determining growth rate, survival and disease resistance in aquaculture
fishes. Recent evidence suggests that in comparison with a standard stimulus-poor rearing
environment, an enriched or variable rearing environment has significant positive effects on
several traits underlying growth and well-being of fish. However, the effect of enriched rearing
on one of the most important threats for aquaculture development, occurrence of parasitic
infections, remains unknown.
2. We used surveillance data of experimental salmonid populations of wild and hatchery origin
under semi-natural parasite exposure to explore effects of enriched rearing on outbreaks
of important aquaculture pathogens and associated fish mortalities in production-scale fish
densities. We also conducted controlled parasite exposures to investigate if enriched rearing
reduces susceptibility of fish to infection in comparison with standard rearing conditions.
3. We found evidence of enriched rearing influencing survival and disease resistance of aquaculture
fish during parasite epidemics. Essentially, populations from enriched rearing had a
higher survival rate, lower parasite occurrence and greater resistance to most infections compared
to fish held in standard rearing conditions. Similarly, fish of wild genetic background
had lower mortality during some of the epidemics compared to fish of hatchery origin. However,
we also demonstrate significant variation in these patterns and in some cases a tendency
for opposite effects of enriched rearing and genetic background depending on the fish species
and nature of the epidemic.
4. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that parasitic infections and epidemics can be
managed through enriched rearing conditions. This may have important implications for economically
and ecologically sustainable parasite and disease prevention strategies in aquaculture.
play a key role in determining growth rate, survival and disease resistance in aquaculture
fishes. Recent evidence suggests that in comparison with a standard stimulus-poor rearing
environment, an enriched or variable rearing environment has significant positive effects on
several traits underlying growth and well-being of fish. However, the effect of enriched rearing
on one of the most important threats for aquaculture development, occurrence of parasitic
infections, remains unknown.
2. We used surveillance data of experimental salmonid populations of wild and hatchery origin
under semi-natural parasite exposure to explore effects of enriched rearing on outbreaks
of important aquaculture pathogens and associated fish mortalities in production-scale fish
densities. We also conducted controlled parasite exposures to investigate if enriched rearing
reduces susceptibility of fish to infection in comparison with standard rearing conditions.
3. We found evidence of enriched rearing influencing survival and disease resistance of aquaculture
fish during parasite epidemics. Essentially, populations from enriched rearing had a
higher survival rate, lower parasite occurrence and greater resistance to most infections compared
to fish held in standard rearing conditions. Similarly, fish of wild genetic background
had lower mortality during some of the epidemics compared to fish of hatchery origin. However,
we also demonstrate significant variation in these patterns and in some cases a tendency
for opposite effects of enriched rearing and genetic background depending on the fish species
and nature of the epidemic.
4. Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that parasitic infections and epidemics can be
managed through enriched rearing conditions. This may have important implications for economically
and ecologically sustainable parasite and disease prevention strategies in aquaculture.
Collections
- Julkaisut [85621]