Biological Impact of Photoperiod on Fairy Shrimp (<i>Branchinecta orientalis</i>): Life History and Biochemical Composition

Abstract

B. orientalis, fairy shrimp, is often among the most conspicuous invertebrates inhabiting temporary aquatic habitats with a typical variation in environmental conditions. Its life history characteristics and biochemical composition were studied under four different photoperiodic regimes (24L:0D, 0L:24D, 16L:8D, and 12L:12D). The significantly highest cumulative and initial hatching rates (48 h) were obtained at 24L:0D (p p > 0.05). However, higher final total body length and daily growth rate were recorded under constant darkness. Higher lipid content was found at 24L:0D to the extent that it was more than two times higher than that at 16L:8D and 12L:12D (p p p p p p B. orientalis production.

Keywords

• <i>B. orientalis</i>
• photoperiod
• growth
• fatty acid
• amino acid
• digestive enzyme