Larval development and survival in seven decapod species (Crustacea) in relation to laboratory diet

Abstract

Three species of phytoplankton diatoms, Biddulphia sinensis, Thalassiiosira rotula and Skeletonema costatum, were tested for suitability as food for larvae of one anomuran and six brachyuran species, Pagurus bernhardus (Paguridae), Cancer pagurus (Cancridae), Hyas coarctatus, Hyas araneus (Majidae), Carcinus maenas, Ltocarcinus holsatus and Necora puber (Portunidae). Rates of development and survival were used as criteria for nutritional value of the test food, compared with those in a starved and an Artemia-fed control group. In all cases, larvae fed with algae survived longer than in the starved control. The developmental success seems to depend on food particle size. Larvae moulted most successfully when fed with Biddulphia sinensis, the largest diatom tested, and only occasionally when fed with Skeletonema costatum, the smallest species tested. The larvae of H. coarctatus were the only species which developed to the first crab instar when fed with phytoplankton ( B. sinensis). The larvae developed most successfully when fed with Artemia nauplii. With the exception of L. holsatus and N. puber, all tested species developed to the first juvenile instar when fed with Artemia sp.