| Assessing Sepia officinalis embryo health in the Adriatic Sea: comparing the effects of farmed and wild environments on embryo development |
| Paper ID : 1010-ICIAQUA |
| Authors |
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Giulia Chemello *1, Erica Trotta2, Viola Faraoni1, Chiara Fini1, Valentina Notarstefano1, Oliana Carnevali1, Giorgia Gioacchini1 1Università Politecnica delle Marche 2Università Politecnica delle Marche |
| Abstract |
| In the Adriatic Sea, exploitation of Sepia officinalis has approached sustainable limits. This species relies on embryo and juvenile survival for population stability. Embryonic development is highly susceptible to environmental factors and fishing techniques. These last affect the fate of eggs laid in the cages during the operation of net cleaning. To prevent stock collapse, assessing embryo health and exploring farming methods are crucial. The present study aimed to evaluate the health status of embryo cuttlefish during their development both under farmed and wild conditions. Cuttlefish eggs were collected from the costal waters of the central Adriatic Sea and divided into three groups. The first group was immediately sampled, embryos were classified and histologically examined, biometric parameters were registered, and the presence of microplastics in embryos was investigated. The second and third groups were maintained under wild and farmed conditions respectively until hatching. Embryos were sampled every 7 days to monitor their development and health status through histological analysis and molecular approach to evaluate the expression of genes involved in stress response. Microplastics have been detected in embryos of Sepia officinalis, with no evident differences observed in their morphology related to microplastics presence. The maintenance of embryos under farmed conditions did not compromise embryonic development or hatching percentage; rather, farmed conditions appeared to favor the health status compared to wild embryos. Further research is needed to explore how microplastics may affect hatchling survival. Maintaining cuttlefish embryos could ensure juvenile recruitment and open the way for effective farming systems. |
| Keywords |
| Cuttlefish, farming, microplastics, embryos, health status, Adriatic Sea |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |