Molecular Characterization and Gene Expression Profiling ... - CUSAT

Chapter 1
the giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), which is internationally known as
tiger shrimp, has been and continues to be the leading cultured species. P.
monodon is also the largest (maximum length 363 millimeters) and fastest
growing of the farmed shrimp species and accounts for more than half of the
total shrimp aquaculture output. In India, other than P. monodon, species
such as Fenneropenaeus indicus (Indian white shrimp), P. penicillatus (like
white shrimp), P. semisulcatus (green tiger shrimp) and P. merguiensis
(banana shrimp) are also farmed. However, the two shrimp species – P.
monodon and F. indicus form the mainstay of shrimp aquaculture in the
country. In other parts of the world, L. vannamei is the dominant species in
South American countries and F. chinensis is the most popular farmed species
in China. Most of the south and south-east Asian countries farm only P.
monodon. Kuruma shrimp (Marsupenaeus japonicus), native to the Indian
Ocean and the South-eastern Pacific Ocean is commonly farmed in Japan and
Australia (FAO, 2002) (Fig. 1.1).
Fig. 1.1. Relative importance of penaeid shrimp species to global aquaculture
production. (Adapted from Rosenberry, 1999)
1.2.1 Penaeus monodon (Black tiger shrimp)
Named for its huge size and banded tail, the black tiger shrimp is one
of the most common penaeid shrimp species currently being cultured in the
world and the primary species farmed in Asia (excluding China and Japan).
Molecular Characterization and Gene Expression Profiling of Antimicrobial Peptides in Penaeid Shrimps
3