Morphology and biometry of
three populations of Artemia (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from the
Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
R.J.
Mayer-2002
Hydrobiologia
486
(1): 29-38, October 2002
Abstract
The morphology and biometry of two populations of Artemia
sp. from the Fortuna and Botoncillo salterns in Puerto Rico and one from the
Monte Cristi saltern in the Dominican Republic were compared. The genitalia,
dehydrated cysts, and the male second antennae were compared between
populations. Biometric differences were assessed by comparing adult
morphology and body length, length of freshly hatched nauplii, and hydrated
cyst diameter. All organisms used in the study were cultured under identical
laboratory conditions. Significant differences were detected in the length
of the adults, first instar naupliar length, and hydrated cyst diameter.
Differences were detected in the general shape, ectodermal ridge structure,
and spination of the brood pouch and the eversible portion of the penes.
Caribbean populations were shown to differ from A. franciscana in
some characters considered in this study. The results suggest that female
brood pouch morphology is the most useful morphological character to
discriminate between the three Caribbean populations. Breeding experiments,
karyotype, protein electrophoresis and DNA sequencing studies are needed to
supplement these findings and to evaluate the phylogenetic and taxonomic
status of these populations.