Reproductive and lifespan characteristics of artemia from libyan abu kammash sabkha

الملخص EN

The reproductive performance of the Abu Kammash Artemia was tested in three salinities (100, 140 and 180 ppt) of Instant Ocean® solution at constant temperature of 25±1oC.

Six reproductive and four lifespan characteristics were studied, they were: offspring per brood, brood per female, offspring per female per day during the reproductive period, days between broods, percent offspring encysted, total offspring per female, pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, post-reproductive period and total lifespan.

The results indicated that Abu Kammash Artemia shows a preference to high salinity.

The reproductive and lifespan characteristics have no significant differences in the three salinities (100, 140 and 180 ppt).

These characteristics were found to be closer to A.

tunisiana (salina).

A high level of encysted offspring was observed which suggests the possibilities of it's commercial use.

Also it is expected that these studies could contribute towards the more general understanding about the productivity of these animals, and prove helpful in developing this natural resource in Abu Kammash subkha.

At the same time, it will provide Libya with the opportunity to explore the practical use of the Artemia population from Abu Kammash for the country needs.