Nishita Lal
PhD Student, Vellore Insititute of Technology, India
Title: Studies on the Moulting and Developmental Stages of the Brine Shrimp (Artemia)
Biography
Biography: Nishita Lal
Abstract
Artemia, the brine shrimp, is widely known as the live feed for finfish and shellfish aquaculture. A clear understanding of the moult, reproductive and developmental stages of a species in question is essential for maintenance of a sustainable stock of the brine shrimp which in turn is crucial for optimization of aquaculture. The present paper would address the precise characterization of moulting, reproductive and developmental stages of Artemia sp. maintained under laboratory conditions. This study illustrates the stage dependent setogenic events of the telopodite which would provide us with an accurate and simple method for characterization of moult stages. The present study also focuses on the developmental stages of Artemia which would help us precisely identify the larval stages and the ‘age’ of the larvae, a basic, but key information for sustainable maintenance of its culture. The study also brings out a comparative account on the morphological features of the larval, pre-adult and adult stages of Artemia, which would be helpful in identification of the species. The study has also focused on the changes of pre-spawned and post-spawned eggs in laboratory – reared Artemia stock.