BROOD PRODUCTION IN THE "RED CHERRY" SHRIMP (DECAPODA, CARIDEA)

AGUSTINA MARCIANO; CAROLINA TROPEA; LAURA S. LÓPEZ GRECO

Chascomús

Jornada; XVI Jornadas Anuales de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología; 2014

Neocaridina heteropoda heteropoda, also known as "red cherry" shrimp, is a promising ornamental decapod species. However, many reproductive attributes are unknown. This study evaluated brood production after the onset of female sexual maturity. Females and males were maintained at a ratio of 1:2 in plastic containers (n=19) with continuous aeration and Java moss at 27°C, during 135 days. They were daily fed with balanced food for tropical fish. Once detected, the ovigerous females were visually inspected once a day to determine the hatching date and calculate the duration of the incubation period. More than 70% of the females spawned at least three times, with an inter-spawning period averaging one month, and the eggs of 90% of the spawns were successfully hatched. The mean incubation period and number of hatched juveniles (actual fecundity) were similar in consecutive spawns, reaching mean values of 15 days and 30 juveniles per female and per spawn, respectively. Based on present results, it is concluded that female senescence may have no effect on brood production for at least the three spawning events following the onset of sexual maturity. PICT2012-01333, UBACYT2011-2014 (20020100100003) y 2014-2017(20020130100186BA) y MINCYT-CAPES BR/11/21.