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Synthetic sea water as a medium for raising crab larvae

Synthetisches Meerwasser als ein Medium für die Aufzucht von Krebslarven

Kurzfassung

Der brachyure KrebsRhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) wurde bis zum Megalopa-Stadium in natürlichem Meerwasser und in zwei synthetischen Medien („Instant Ocean“ und „Utility Seven Seas Marine Mix“) bei Salinitäten von 3 ‰ und 11 ‰ aufgezogen. Die Überlebensrate der Zoea-Larven wurde weder durch die Art des Mediums noch durch den Salzgehalt beeinflußt, die der Megalopa-Larven war jedoch bei 3 ‰ in allen drei Medien signifikant geringer als bei 11 ‰. Die Megalopa-Stadien zeigten bei 11 ‰ in allen Versuchsreihen keine wesentlichen Unterschiede in bezug auf Entwicklungsgeschwindigkeit und Sterblichkeit. Die beiden getesteten, in den USA kommerziell vertriebenen synthetischen Kulturmedien erwiesen sich somit zur Aufzucht vonR. harrisii als brauchbar. Es wird empfohlen, die Eignung derartiger Medien — sofern sie für Massenkulturen bestimmter Arten eingesetzt werden sollen — anhand möglichst verschiedener Kriterien (Einfluß auf die Entwicklung, spezifische ionale Zusammensetzung, Kaufpreis etc.) zu bewerten.

Summary

1. Larvae of the xanthid crabRhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould), were raised from hatching through the megalopa in natural sea water, and in two commercially available synthetic sea salts. Groups of larvae from the same hatch were raised at two salinities for each medium.

2. Hatching occurred successfully in all six media-salinity combinations tested.

3. Survival was high through the four zoea stages in all six test solutions. Statistical tests on cumulative zoea mortality showed no significant differences due either to salinity or to medium, and no interaction between them.

4. Survival dropped during the megalopa in all test solutions. Megalopa mortality was significantly higher in 3 ‰ than in 11 ‰. Although differences in mortality among the three media were apparent, statistical tests showed only marginal significance. No interaction between salinity and medium was evident.

5. Rate of development through the zoea stages was affected by both salinity and medium although no interaction between these factors was evident. The following relationships among the six test solutions were demonstrated (from longest to shortest development): IO, 3‰=7-S, 3‰7-S, 11 ‰ nsw, 3 ‰=nsw11‰ = IO, 11‰

6. Differences among the three media in rate of megalopa development at 11 ‰ were only marginally significant (only one individual survived at 3 ‰).

7. It is concluded that either of the two synthetic media used is suitable for raising larvae ofRhithropanopeus harrisii.

8. The following criteria should be considered in choice of medium for raising larvae: influence on rate of development and survival, cost, specific ion composition, purity, and ease of preparation.

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Sulkin, S.D., Minasian, L.L. Synthetic sea water as a medium for raising crab larvae. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 25, 126–134 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01609964

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