Synchronization to light and mealtime of the circadian rhythms of self-feeding behavior and locomotor activity of white shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The role of light and feeding cycles in synchronizing self-feeding and locomotor activity rhythms was studied in white shrimps using a new self-feeding system activated by photocell trigger. In experiment 1, shrimps maintained under a 12:12 h light/dark (LD) photoperiod were allowed to self-feed using feeders connected to a photoelectric cell, while locomotor activity was recorded with a second photocell. On day 30, animals were subjected to constant darkness (DD) for 12 days to check the existence of endogenous circadian rhythms. In the experiment 2, shrimps were exposed to both a 12:12 h LD photoperiod and a fixed meal schedule in the middle of the dark period (MD, 01:00 h). On day 20, shrimps were exposed to DD conditions and the same fixed feeding. On day 30, they were maintained under DD and fasted for 7 days. The results revealed that under LD, shrimps showed a clear nocturnal feeding pattern and locomotor activity (81.9% and 67.7% of total daily food-demands and locomotor activity, respectively, at nighttime). Both feeding and locomotor rhythms were endogenously driven and persisted under DD with an average period length (τ) close to 24 h (circadian) (τ = 24.18 ± 0.13 and 23.87 ± 0.14 h for locomotor and feeding, respectively). Moreover, Shrimp showed a daily food intake under LD condition (1.1 ± 0.2 g day− 1 in the night phase vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 g day− 1 in the light phase). Our findings might be relevant for some important shrimp aquaculture aspects, such as developing suitable feeding management on shrimp farms.