From a global perspective aquaculture is an activity related to food production with large potential for growth. Considering a continuously growing population, the efficiency and sustainability of this activity will be crucial to meet the needs of protein for human consumption in the near future. However, for continuous enhancement of the culture of both fish and shellfish there are still challenges to overcome, mostly related to the biology of the cultured species and their interaction with (increasingly changing) environmental factors. Examples of these challenges include early sexual maturation, feed meal replacement, immune response to infectious diseases and parasites, and temperature and salinity tolerance. Moreover, it is estimated that less than 10% of the total aquaculture production in the world is based on populations genetically improved by means of artificial selection. Thus, there is considerable room for implementing breeding schemes aimed at improving productive traits having significant economic impact. By far the most economically relevant trait is growth rate, which can be efficiently improved by conventional genetic selection (i.e. based on breeding values of selection candidates). However, there are other important traits that cannot be measured directly on selection candidates, such as resistance against infectious and parasitic agents and carcass quality traits (e.g. fillet yield and meat color). However, these traits can be more efficiently improved using molecular tools to assist breeding programs by means of marker-assisted selection, using a few markers explaining a high proportion of the trait variation, or genomic selection, using thousands of markers to estimate genomic breeding values. The development and implementation of new technologies applied to molecular biology and genomics, such as next-generation sequencing methods and high-throughput genotyping platforms, are allowing the rapid increase of availability of genomic resources in aquaculture species. These resources will provide powerful tools to the research community and will aid in the determination of the genetic factors involved in several biological aspects of aquaculture species. In this regard, it is important to establish discussion in terms of which strategies will be more efficient to solve the primary challenges that are affecting aquaculture systems around the world. The main objective of this Research Topic is to provide a forum to communicate recent research and implementation strategies in the use of genomics in aquaculture species with emphasis on (1) a better understanding of fish and shellfish biological processes having considerable impact on aquaculture systems; and (2) the efficient incorporation of molecular information into breeding programs to accelerate genetic progress of economically relevant traits.

This book reviews up-to-date knowledge on the biology and aquaculture of tilapia, with special focus on the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Tilapia are a group of fish species that have become one of the most cultured worldwide, currently having a big economic impact on both developed and developing countries. The first 12 chapters of the present book cover different aspects of tilapia biology such as genetics, nutrition, osmoregulation, pathology, reproduction and development. Each chapter includes both basic knowledge and its application to tilapia culture. The last 3 chapters are devoted to cutting-edge techniques for the industry of tilapia aquaculture. Experts from both academia and research institutes provide their expertise on the present book.

Bioinformatics derives knowledge from computer analysis of biological data. In particular, genomic and transcriptomic datasets are processed, analysed and, whenever possible, associated with experimental results from various sources, to draw structural, organizational, and functional information relevant to biology. Research in bioinformatics includes method development for storage, retrieval, and analysis of the data. Bioinformatics in Aquaculture provides the most up to date reviews of next generation sequencing technologies, their applications in aquaculture, and principles and methodologies for the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic large datasets using bioinformatic methods, algorithm, and databases. The book is unique in providing guidance for the best software packages suitable for various analysis, providing detailed examples of using bioinformatic software and command lines in the context of real world experiments. This book is a vital tool for all those working in genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics related to aquaculture, and computational and biological sciences.

Awarded Bookauthority's "Best Aquaculture Books of all Time" A comprehensive resource that covers all the aspects of sex control in aquaculture written by internationally-acclaimed scientists Comprehensive in scope, Sex Control in Aquaculture first explains the concepts and rationale for sex control in aquaculture, which serves different purposes. The most important are: to produce monosex stocks to rear only the fastest-growing sex in some species, to prevent precocious or uncontrolled reproduction in other species and to aid in broodstock management. The application of sex ratio manipulation for population control and invasive species management is also included. Next, this book provides detailed and updated information on the underlying genetic, epigenetic, endocrine and environmental mechanisms responsible for the establishment of the sexes, and explains chromosome set manipulation techniques, hybridization and the latest gene knockout approaches. Furthermore, the book offers detailed protocols and key summarizing information on how sex control is practiced worldwide in 35 major aquaculture species or groups, including fish and crustaceans, and puts the focus on its application in the aquaculture industry. With contributions from an international panel of leading scientists, Sex Control in Aquaculture will appeal to a large audience: aquaculture/fisheries professionals and students, scientists or biologists working with basic aspects of fish/shrimp biology, growth and reproductive endocrinology, genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and R&D managers and administrators. This text explores sex control technologies and monosex production of commercially-farmed fish and crustacean species that are highly in demand for aquaculture, to improve feed utilization efficiency, reduce energy consumption for reproduction and eliminate a series of problems caused by mixed sex rearing. Thus, this book: Contains contributions from an international panel of leading scientists and professionals in the field Provides comprehensive coverage of both established and new technologies to control sex ratios that are becoming more necessary to increase productivity in aquaculture Includes detailed coverage of the most effective sex control techniques used in the world's most important commercially-farmed species Sex Control in Aquaculture is the comprehensive resource for understanding the biological rationale, scientific principles and real-world practices in this exciting and expanding field.

Aquaculture production is expanding worldwide in both volume and scope, with a number of new species being introduced to aquaculture every year. Salmon Farming provides an overview of aquaculture production systems focusing on Atlantic salmon farming, which will enable users to: produce broodstock, juveniles and adult fish develop a production plan for juvenile and ongrowing farms evaluate and optimize the key working operations on juvenile and ongrowing farms identify the factors that are important for economic and sustainable production identify the factors that affect the rate of production, how these factors can be changed, and what effects such changes have adopt the best procedures for season-independent smolt production understand water quality requirements and evaluate the suitability based on water analysis prepare documents for production control and propose amendments prepare working plans for smolt production and ongrowing production farms establish maintenance routines/plans for smolt production and ongrowing production estimate the investment and running cost for the main components of smolt and ongrowing farms remain up to date with the laws and regulations that need to be considered in aquaculture production planning internationally stay abreast of new trends in the industry. Salmon Farming gives an overview of aquaculture production systems focusing on Atlantic salmon farming. However, much of the subject coverage and overall structure of the book are directly transferable to other species, with much of the core of the book being species-independent and applicable internationally. 5m Books

Recent Trends in Livestock Innovative Technologies explores the most recent developments and developing trends in the livestock farming industry. The book delves into the application of innovative technologies in various aspects of livestock production, management, and health through edited chapters. The book starts with an outline of the difficulties the livestock sector faces and the necessity for technological solutions to these difficulties. Subsequent chapters cover innovations in this area. Key topics include: Advances in genetics and breeding methods: Contributing authors stress the possible impact of issues like marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and gene editing on the future of animal breeding. Precision livestock farming: The use of sensor technologies, data analytics, and automation to monitor and control livestock production systems more effectively. The authors examine how these technologies enable real-time monitoring of environmental variables, animal activity, and health, which enhances production, animal welfare, and resource use. The management of feed and nutrition in livestock production: The book explores cutting-edge feed formulations, precise feeding systems, and alternative feed sources that can increase feed efficiency, lessen negative effects on the environment, and improve animal health. Fresh methods for illness prevention and management, such as the use of vaccines, diagnostics, and biosecurity measures. Social and ethical issues related to the adoption of cutting-edge livestock technologies. The authors attempt to give a fair assessment of the advantages and drawbacks of these technologies, and address concerns about animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and public perception of current farming practices. Recent Trends in Livestock Innovative Technologies is an informative resource for researchers, professionals, and policymakers interested in staying up-to-date with the advancements and future directions of the livestock industry.

Consumers, producers, stakeholders, governmental regulatory agencies and NGOs are becoming increasingly concerned with the conditions in which aquatic organisms are reared worldwide. High demand for fish for human consumption represents a challenge that has to be fulfilled by an ever-growing aquaculture production. In this scenario, animal care over the entire life and production cycle must be guaranteed while avoiding significant economic losses. As a result, research is needed to maximize yields and minimize adverse outcomes by optimizing rearing conditions while keeping in mind the welfare of cultured fish. In this Research Topic we will focus on relevant aspects related to fish response to both biotic and abiotic stressors as a means of improving their welfare, integrating both physiological and behavioral responses. In fish the adaptive responses to rearing may differ depending on several factors, including the characteristics of the stimuli and the intrinsic properties of the species or the selected line. If complete adaptation is missing, the application of single or multiple stimuli may result in a stress response. Stress responses have been linked to systemic adjustments which negatively impacts the immune system of fish, as well as their growth and reproductive performance. Therefore, one of the main interests of this Topic is to understand the allostatic responses of aquatic organisms to several stimuli/ factors that may be present during rearing. An additional focus of this Topic will be on conditions that may improve fish welfare by decreasing the stress response, such as implementing adequate swimming conditions. The focus of the Topic is to contribute to our present knowledge to better understand the physiological response of aquatic organisms, which is central to improving aquaculture practices. Emphasis will be placed on potentially existing interactions between physiological and endocrine pathways to build an overall stress response. Another aspect that will be considered in this Topic is how intraspecific variability may affect the stress response.

Genomics in Aquaculture is a concise, must-have reference that describes current advances within the field of genomics and their applications to aquaculture. Written in an accessible manner for anyone—non-specialists to experts alike—this book provides in-depth coverage of genomics spanning from genome sequencing, to transcriptomics and proteomics. It provides, for ease of learning, examples from key species most relevant to current intensive aquaculture practice. Its coverage of minority species that have a specific biological interest (e.g., Pleuronectiformes) makes this book useful for countries that are developing such species. It is a robust, practical resource that covers foundational, functional, and applied aspects of genomics in aquaculture, presenting the most current information in a field of research that is rapidly growing. - Provides the latest scientific methods and technologies to maximize efficiencies for healthy fish production, with summary tables for quick reference - Offers an extended glossary of technical and methodological terms to help readers better understand key biological concepts - Describes state-of-the-art technologies, such as transcriptomics and epigenomics, currently under development for future perspective of the field - Covers minority species that have a specific biological interest (e.g., Pleuronectiformes), making the book useful to countries developing such species