From Invaders to Resources: Evaluating Freshwater Invasive Species as Sustainable Sources for Aquaculture Feed

From Rock Pools to Aquaculture: The Genus Tigriopus as an Experimental Model and Emerging Aquaculture Resource

Copepods are widely recognized as biologically superior live prey for many marine fish larvae, yet their routine large-scale production remains a major bottleneck in aquaculture. Within this context, the harpacticoid genus Tigriopus has attracted increasing attention because it combines broad environmental tolerance, ease of culture, and promising nutritional and biotechnological value. This review critically examines the current state of knowledge on the genus Tigriopus, with particular emphasis on its aquaculture relevance, while integrating the biological, ecological and ecotoxicological framework needed to interpret the specific case of the Mediterranean species T. fulvus. The available literature shows that in aquaculture, the potential of this copepod genus is supported by complementary evidence across species. T. californicus currently provides the strongest proof of concept for pilot-scale biomass production and biochemical valorization, particularly as a source of omega-3- and astaxanthin-rich biomass. T. japonicus contributes most clearly to culture optimization and live-feed application, especially with respect to feeding performance and stocking-density effects. Tigriopus fulvus, in contrast, remains an earlier-stage but credible Mediterranean candidate, showing promising diet-dependent naupliar production and survival, although its culture technology is still underdeveloped. Overall, Tigriopus should be regarded as a genus of growing relevance for aquaculture, not only as live prey but also as a potential source of functional biomass. Future progress will depend on improved mass-culture methods, feeding optimization, harvesting efficiency, and a comparative species-level framework linking biological traits to specific aquaculture applications.

Edible insect farming and the risk of biological invasions: a global trait-based assessment.

Insect farming is promoted as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock, offering substantial reductions in land, water, and feed use while generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions. However, the escape or release of farmed insects into non-native environments may create significant biological invasion risks, with consequences for biodiversity, human well-being, and economies. This study provides the first systematic assessment of the ecological characteristics influencing the likelihood of edible insects becoming invasive, and identifies species not yet reported as invasive that could present risks if farmed outside their native ranges. We evaluated 1,030 species (943 native and 88 introduced) spanning six insect orders (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and Blattodea) in a multidimensional functional space. Our analyses highlight the importance of both larval and adult diet breadth, macroecological factors such as temperature and humidity, and native-range distribution size as predictors of invasion potential. Using machine learning, we identified species with high invasive risk, with Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, and Hymenoptera being the groups most likely to become invasive. By combining ecological variables with predictive modeling, this work provides a framework for invasion risk assessment and delivers practical guidance to support sustainable insect farming while minimizing ecological threats.

Decline in Kappaphycus alvarezii invasion in the Gulf of Mannar, India

Blue Economy models position aquaculture as a key pathway to securing global food security. Species selected for aquaculture typically show rapid growth, high stress tolerance and fast biomass accumulation, but these same traits may increase their potential to become invasive when introduced beyond their native range. We investigated the invasion history and current status of the commercially important red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii in the Palk Bay–Gulf of Mannar region of India. This is one of the world’s largest cultivation hubs, a climatically vulnerable marine biodiversity hotspot, and one of the three regions to report invasion. We combined in-water surveys, interviews with wild seaweed collectors, and a review of published literature to reconstruct the history of invasion and assess current status. Invasion has declined substantially, with interviews indicating that the disappearance of invasive populations began around 2014. We discuss several non-mutually exclusive explanations for this decline, including climate change, loss of coral substrate, herbivory, and reduced vitality of the seaweed. Although the decline in invasion is encouraging for coral reefs, our findings raise questions about the ecological and socioeconomic consequences of introducing non-native aquaculture species under Blue Economy initiatives, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions vulnerable to climate change.

Microalgal biopesticides in the circular economy: harnessing algae for sustainable pest management

Multifaceted Roles of Trichoderma in Sustainable Agriculture: Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Perspectives

Overall, this review presents the versatile function of Trichoderma spp.

Biofuel production potentialityof indigenous algal species around Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.

The escalating global energy demand and the negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts of fossil fuels necessitate sustainable alternative energy sources. This issue is particularly important in developing nations like Nigeria, where energy access remains limited despite significant oil reserves, leading to environmental degradation. This study aimed to bio-prospect indigenous algal species around Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, evaluating their potential for producing biofuel. Samples were collected from ten locations using purposive and simple random sampling, accounting for seasonal variations. Microscopic examination identified four distinct algal taxa: Scenedesmus, Diatoms, Anabaena, and Rhizoclonium. These species were cultivated in conditioned tap water with agricultural fertilizers and a CO2 enrichment system. Biomass was harvested via flocculation-filtration with alum and shade-dried. Proximate analysis revealed high ash content (42.45–61.34%) across all species, with average lipid and carbohydrate contents of 0.68% and 8.26%, respectively. Individually, Scenedesmus (0.29% lipid, 8.98% carbohydrate), Diatoms (0.40% lipid, 7.05% carbohydrate), Anabaena (0.50% lipid, 10.27% carbohydrate), and Rhizoclonium (1.54% lipid, 6.74% carbohydrate). These findings suggest that the identified indigenous microalgae species from this region, under the tested conditions, may require significant optimization or genetic modification to become viable feedstocks for competitive biodiesel and bioethanol production.