Effect of Microcystis aeruginosa on organs and tissues of White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Postlarvae in low-salinity water

Abstract

In eutrophic waters during cyanobacterial bloom lysis, a blend of cyanobacterial toxins and other compounds are released into the water, affecting aquatic communities. This research investigated the effects of toxic cyanobacteria. For this purpose, intact cells from a natural cyanobacterial bloom were taken, and the colonies were disaggregated by ultrasound for 3 minutes. Histological analysis of exposed shrimps revealed lesion development in antennal gland, gills, hepatopancreas, lymphoid organ, muscle and dorsal cecum in Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae, such kind of lesions may interfere with food absorption, respiration, excretion, locomotion and mortality. Hence, Microcystis aeruginosa blooms in shrimp ponds may jeopardize the culture by mortality and slowing shrimp growth rate. The acute test with postlarvae of the white shrimp were effective in indicating the toxicity of cyanobacteria and in prognosticating the toxic effects of cyanobacterial blooms, at least on some usual components of the aquatic community, such crustaceans and micro crustaceans.