Can the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata survive on an invasive algae? A comparison of the nutritional value of the introduced Grateloupia turuturu and the native Palmaria palmata, for the commercial European abalone industry

• Published in: Journal of applied phycology 2016-08, Vol.28 (4), p.2427-2433
• Main Authors: García-Bueno, Nuria, Turpin, Vincent, Cognie, Bruno, Dumay, Justine, Morançais, Michèle, Amat, Mireille, Pédron, Jean-Marie, Atucha, Arnaldo Marín, Fleurence, Joël, Decottignies, Priscilla
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Biochemical composition; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbohydrates; Diet; Ecology; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Grateloupia turuturu; Haliotis; Haliotis tuberculata; Introduced species; Life Sciences; Lipids; Nutritive value; Palmaria palmata; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences
• ISSN: 0921-8971; 1573-5176
• DOI: 10.1007/s10811-015-0741-z

The suitability of two red algae species, the introduced Grateloupia turuturu and the native Palmaria palmata , as feed for the culture of the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata , was compared over a 5-month period. Three experimental diets were tested: (1) P. palmata , (2) G. turuturu , and (3) a mixed diet of P. palmata and G. turuturu (1:1). Biochemical composition (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, ashes) of algae was measured. No mortality was observed during the time of the experiment in any of the treatments. Growth in length and weight was higher for abalone fed with P. palmata and the mixed diet. Abalone exhibited a preference for P. palmata and showed the highest weight gain with this macroalgae (107.8 ± 7.2 %). Grateloupia turuturu disintegrated faster in abalone rearing conditions and was not suitable for significant growth of H. tuberculata in a monospecific diet. However, when it is provided in a mixed diet, abalone seem to show a higher lipid content than when fed a P. palmata monospecific diet . The invasive G. turuturu could be an interesting food supplement for European abalone.