Ecological surveys on the parthenogenetic Artemia populations in the hypersaline lakes of Anatolia, Turkey

Authors: ARMİN ESKANDARİ, YASEMİN SAYGI

Abstract: The objective of this study is to provide information on the parthenogenetic Artemia populations in some hypersaline lakes of Anatolia (Tuz, Bolluk, Tersakan, and Acıgöl). Sampling studies were performed for abiotic factors and population parameters between November 2009 and October 2010. During the survey we focused on the local Artemia populations to investigate population dynamics, reproduction, brood size, and cyst and naupliar biometrics. Generally, the Artemia habitats in Anatolia were relatively shallow, and thus they were subject to major seasonal fluctuations. Dramatic declines in population size in Tuz and Acıgöl Lakes were found during this study. All Artemia populations were parthenogenetic and brood sizes of females showed significant differences among the populations (P < 0.05). The largest brood size was observed in the Acıgöl population and it may be concluded that local conditions for reproductive success were more adequate in this population. Substantial differences among populations were revealed during the studies on cyst and naupliar biometry. Cyst diameter mean values ranged from 231.8 to 266.9 µm. The cyst diameters for the Acıgöl population are determined as the smallest in these populations and among the smallest values recorded in parthenogenetic populations. The total length of newly hatched nauplii ranged from 484 to 512 µm for these populations.

Keywords: Artemia, population fluctuations, brood size, cysts biometry, Turkey

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