Effects of temperature and salinity on larval survival and development in the invasive shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus (Caridea : Palaemonidae) along the reproductive season

VAZQUEZ MARÍA GUADALUPE; BAS CLAUDIA; KITTLEIN, MARCELO; SPIVAK EDUARDO

JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 99 p. 56 - 60

1385-1101

The invasive shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus is associated mainly with brackish waters. Previous studies raisedthe question if tolerance to low salinities differs between larvae and adults. To answer this question, thecombined effects of two temperatures (20 and 25 °C) and four salinities (5, 12, 23 and 34 psu) on survival anddevelopment of larvae that hatched at the beginning, in the midpoint and near the end of a reproductive season(denoted early, middle season and late larvae respectively)were examined. The three types of larvaewere able tosurvive and reach juvenile phase at salinities between 12 and 34 psu and at both temperatures. At 5 psu all larvaedied, but 45% molted at least once. Temperature and salinity to a lesser extent, had effects on the duration ofdevelopment and on the number of larval stages in all larval types. Developmentwas longer at the lower temperature,especially in middle season and late larvae. Most early larvae reached the juvenile phase through 5 larvalstages; the number of larval stages of middle season and late larvaewas higher at 20 °C and in late larvae also lowsalinity produced extra stages. Low salinity (12 psu) and, in early and middle season larvae, low temperatureproduced lighter and smaller individuals. Response of larvae to environmental factors seems to be related inpart to the previous conditions (maternal effects and/or embryo development conditions). The narrower salinitytolerance of larvae compared to adults and the ability of zoea I to survive at least some days at 5 psu may berelated with an export larval strategy.