J.R. Perez, J.M. Carral, J.D. Celada, C. Munoz, M. Saez-Royuela, J.I. Antolin-1999
Aquaculture: 170 (1) : 29-35 (Current Contents)
Abstract:
The development of artificial incubation techniques for freshwater crayfish eggs and the incorporation of these practices to the working scheme in production centres would have numerous advantages. This study evaluates the efficacy of one particular device, designed by this research group, for the artificial incubation of white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) eggs. Comparisons between maternal and artificial incubation demonstrated the suitability of the tested system for artificial incubation for eggs of this species, during a period of 42% of the total duration of the embryonic development. Overall survival rate to juvenile stage 2 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in artificially incubated eggs (68.2%) compared with those attached to the maternal pleopods throughout the embryonic development (56.2%). It can be seen that artificial incubation provides, at least, similar results to those of maternal incubation. It was observed that most mortalities during artificial incubation were between eyed stage and juvenile stage 2.
(Univ Leon, Fac Vet, Campus Vegazana S-N, E-24071 Leon, Spain, e-mail: dp2jpb@isidoro.unileon.es)