Reproductive potential of Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) from Mexico inland waters cultured in laboratory at different salinity

Abstract

Four populations of Artemia franciscana from Mexico inland waters (Cuatro Cienegas, Coahuila; Santo Domingo, Zacatecas; Las Salinas, San Luis Potosi and Texcoco, Edo. de Mexico) were compared with respect to their reproductive potential. Each population was cultivated in 200 L beakers at a salinity of 60, 80, 100 and 120 gL-1. Temperature was maintained at 25 ± 2 oC, with continuous light and aeration and pH between 8 to 10. The organisms were fed ad libitum with 50 mL of rice bran and 1 L of mixed solution of Tetraselmis sp. and Pinnularia sp. microalgae. When organisms reach sexual maturity stage, they were separated in 25 glass beakers of 250 mL, introducing one female and two males to determine reproductive potential in each salinity concentration experimental. Total life cycle was of 47- 68 days range. Reproductive period was of 30 to 45 days, number of broods were 7 to 11, nauplii produced per female were 39 to 58 and cyst production per female were 0 to 65. All values increase with salinity concentration. Calculated biomass was 161.28 to 501.12 g range and calculated cysts production was 100.46 to 180.40 g. This information could lay biological bases for laboratory culture exploitation or semi intensive culture system at their natural habitat, depending their culture management to obtain adult or cysts wet biomass.