Combined Effects of Temperature and Salinity on the Zoeal Development of the Crab Liocarcinus puber (Decapoda: Portunidae) |
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| Authors: | M Nagaraj |
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| Institution: | Department of Marine Biology, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man (British Isles) |
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| Abstract: | Abstract. Larval development of the crab Liocarcinus puber was studied from hatching to the megalopa stage under 12 different temperature and salinity combinations, 10°C, 15°C, and 20°C (T): 20, 25, 30, and 35% (S), with a view to establishing optimum conditions for zoeal development. High larval mortalities were recorded at 10°C in all the experimental salinities, indicating the sensitivity of the larvae to low temperatures. Highest zoeal survival was obtained in the higher salinity and temperature combinations. First zoeae completed their development in all T-S combinations tested, while successive stages showed increased sensitivity and suffered high mortalities in lower salinities at 15° and 20°C and in all salinities at 10°C. The duration of zoeal development decreased with increasing temperature, whilst the lower salinities delayed development. Q10 values did not differ much at higher salinities, with values ranging from 1.5 to 2.6. |
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| Keywords: | Temperature salinity zoeae survival development duration Liocarcinus puber |
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