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An automated aquatic rack system for rearing marine invertebrates
- Source :
- BMC Biology, BMC Biology, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp 1-22 (2020)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- BackgroundOne hundred years ago, marine organisms were the dominant systems for the study of developmental biology. The challenges in rearing these organisms outside of a marine setting ultimately contributed to a shift towards work on a smaller number of so-called model systems. Those animals are typically non-marine organisms with advantages afforded by short life cycles, high fecundity, and relative ease in laboratory culture. However, a full understanding of biodiversity, evolution, and anthropogenic effects on biological systems requires a broader survey of development in the animal kingdom. To this day, marine organisms remain relatively understudied, particularly the members of the Lophotrochozoa (Spiralia), which include well over one third of the metazoan phyla (such as the annelids, mollusks, flatworms) and exhibit a tremendous diversity of body plans and developmental modes. To facilitate studies of this group, we have previously described the development and culture of one lophotrochozoan representative, the slipper snailCrepidula atrasolea, which is easy to rear in recirculating marine aquaria. Lab-based culture and rearing of larger populations of animals remain a general challenge for many marine organisms, particularly for inland laboratories.ResultsHere, we describe the development of an automated marine aquatic rack system for the high-density culture of marine species, which is particularly well suited for rearing filter-feeding animals. Based on existing freshwater recirculating aquatic rack systems, our system is specific to the needs of marine organisms and incorporates robust filtration measures to eliminate wastes, reducing the need for regular water changes. In addition, this system incorporates sensors and associated equipment for automated assessment and adjustment of water quality. An automated feeding system permits precise delivery of liquid food (e.g., phytoplankton) throughout the day, mimicking real-life feeding conditions that contribute to increased growth rates and fecundity.ConclusionThis automated system makes laboratory culture of marine animals feasible for both large and small research groups, significantly reducing the time, labor, and overall costs needed to rear these organisms.
- Subjects :
- 0106 biological sciences
Aquatic Organisms
Crepidula
Physiology
Aquarium
Snails
Biodiversity
Marine Biology
Plant Science
Aquaculture
01 natural sciences
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
03 medical and health sciences
Automation
Structural Biology
Animals
Mariculture
Seawater
Spiralia
lcsh:QH301-705.5
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
030304 developmental biology
Crepidula atrasolea
0303 health sciences
biology
Phylum
business.industry
010604 marine biology & hydrobiology
Methodology Article
Cell Biology
Marine invertebrates
biology.organism_classification
Fishery
Automated feeding
lcsh:Biology (General)
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
business
Zoology
Developmental Biology
Biotechnology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 17417007
- Volume :
- 18
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BMC biology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....6ba0849c8a7d623242bfc5958f3fb361