EFFECT OF SALINITY IN SURVIVAL, GROWTH, AND OSMOTIC CAPACITY OF EARLY JUVENILES OF FARFANTEPENAEUS BRASILIENSIS (DECAPODA: PENAEIDAE)
R. Brito, M.-E. Chimal, C. Rosas-2000
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 244(2): 253-263
Abstract:
The effect of salinity in survival, growth and osmotic capacity of juvenile Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis was determined. Survival was not affected by salinities from 15 to 35 ppt during 96 h exposure periods. Shrimps exposed to 5 and 10 ppt were noticeably affected by salinity with a survival of 0 and 48% after 96 h, respectively. Lethal salinity for 50% of the individuals in 96 h (LS50, 96 h) at 28 C was 10 ppt. Growth rate (mg dw/day) was significantly higher at higher salinities. The isosmotic point of early juvenile F. brasiliensis was 794 mOSm/kg, at around 25 ppt. Results indicate that F. brasiliensis has low tolerance to low saline environments, and grows better in salinities greater than its isosmotic point. Osmotic capacity seemed to be related to biological characteristics that determine the environmental preferences and behavior, as well as the distribution of this shrimp species.
(Center of Marine Research, Havana University, Havana, Cuba)
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