A method for testing the
effectiveness of artificial incubation of eggs vs. maternal brooding in the
freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor (Decapoda: Parastacidae)
B.V. Leonard, W.A. Lennard, D.G. Kildea-2001
Aquaculture, 195(3-4): 299-309
Abstract:
Artificial incubation of eggs of Cherax destructor
from 2 days post-spawning, using a suspension upweller, achieved survival
rates averaging 93%, which was equal to or better than maternal incubation.
Determining survival of a particular clutch with maternal incubation is
difficult because it is impossible to count the large numbers of eggs while
they are attached to the pleopods. A statistical method for estimating the
initial numbers of eggs on the pleopods on one side of the mother from
counts of eggs stripped off the pleopods on the other side is presented in
this paper.
(Aquaculture Research Unit, Department of Applied
Biology and Biotechnology, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne,
Victoria 3001, Australia, Tel.: +61-3-9925-2110; fax: +61-3-9662-3421,
E-mail: brianl@rmit.edu.au)