Comparative Study of the Reproductive Performance of Four Strains of Artemia

1. Comparative Study of the Reproductive Performance of Four Strains of Artemia Eythan Morenu, Alexandra Méndez, Robert J. Mayer, and Liza V. Jiménez University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla Department of Natural Sciences March 1, 2007

2. This presentation evaluates important aspects of the ecological physiology of the genus Artemia in Puerto Rico Background on the genus Artemia Discussion of research data and conclusions Preliminary work – Effects of Neem on Artemia

3. Artemia are Anostracan Branchiopods that are well adapted to the extreme conditions of hypersaline environments Synthesis of hemoglobins Heat tolerance Flexibility in diet Production of resistant stages Efficient osmoregulation

4. Life cycle of Artemia is tightly coupled to the environment oviparous There are sexual and parthenogenetic species Continuous reproduction ovoviviparous Alternation of reproductive mode

5. What is the importance of locating and characterizing populations of Artemia? Artemia is a very important organism from an ecological and economic perspective: Artemia biomass is used in aquaculture (fish food) Artemia are important for the production of salt and for the survival of many species of birds in salt flat systems

6. Main question • Are there significant differences in the reproductive performance of various populations of Artemia when reared under constant conditions?

7. Plankton isolation chambers were used to isolate reproductive couples Animals grown in mass culture until sexual maturity Water level Isolation chamber Nylon mesh (100 m) Ventilation chamber Introduced in isolation chamber upon reaching sexual maturity

8. A plankton recirculation apparatus was used in the life history experiments Rigid plastic tubing Rigid plastic tubing Clear plastic partitions Pump Pump Heater Heater Water intake (100 m mesh) Water intake (100 m mesh) Water distribution pipe Water distribution pipe Isolation chambers Isolation chambers Spigot Spigot 23° C Salinity of 45 Experimental chamber Control chamber TOP VIEW

9. Life history experiments showed that the totalnumber of offspring produced was higherfor APAR The production of nauplii was lower than that of cysts Production of mixed broods Random alternation between reproductive modes

10. The lifespan of APAR individuals was higher than that of the other populations Higher reproductive potential for APAR

11. There was a significant time - dependent reduction in reproductive potential for all populations

12. Conclusions The reproductive performance of Artemia varies between strains and is affected by environmental conditions A. parthenogenetica had the highest reproductive performance of all the population tested

13. Quick facts about Neem (Azaridachtaindica) This tree is originally from India. Its many properties can be used to cure many diseases and in the creation of insecticides. Preliminary work with neem seed extracts and Artemia suggests that this extract could increase the growth rate of these animals.

14. Future direction of the research – Neem We want to know if neem seed extracts have a significant effect on the survival, growth and development of Artemia. This research can have important aquacultural applications. Results can shed light on the culture of other economically important crustaceans

15. Neem Experiment -Research question: How will a series of concentrations of neem seed extract affect the survival of Artemia larvae?

16. An acute toxicity assay was performed After 24 hours of the experimental test tubes were observed and the live and/or dead Artemia nauplii were counted.

17. Significant mortality at concentrations above 25 g/l

18. Future direction of the research – Neem • If neem seed extract would promote a faster growth rate it could be used to accelerate development of Artemia satisfying the growing demand of Artemia in the aquaculture industry.

19. Reproductive Performance Experimen Neem Experiment • At concentrations of 1g/l – 25g/l Artemia nauplii had high survival • We will continue experiments to determine the effects of Neem on • development and growth of Artemia. The reproductive performance of Artemia varies between strains and is affected by environmental conditions A. parthenogenetica had the highest reproductive performance of all the populations tested

20. Acknowledgements UPR Sea Grant College Program Award Number NA16RG2278 Artemia Reference Center – Gent, Belgium University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla R. B. Forward and D. Rittschof Duke University Marine Laboratory US Fish and Wildlife Service – Caribbean Islands NWR PR-LSAMP

21. Reproductive Performance Experiment - Results Neem Experiment - Importance • At concentrations of 1g/l – 25g/l Artemia organisms survived. • We will continue experiments to determine the effects of Neem on Artemia at these concentrations. The reproductive performance of Artemia varies between strains and is affected by environmental conditions A. parthenogenetica had the highest reproductive performance of all the population tested Questions?