Document Type

Article

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

1972

Journal

Virginia Journal of Science

Volume

23

Issue

1

First Page

5

Last Page

8

Abstract

Thor floridanus larvae maintained in laboratory culture at 24-26C and 31%0 salinity were subjected to four diets: a) no food, b) algae (approximately halfand- half mixture of Monochrysis lutheri and Phaeodactylum tricorntum), c) live Artemia nauplii, and d) mixed diet (diets band c together). Twenty-seven newly hatched larvae received each diet. None of the starved larvae molted and all died within nine days. Of those larvae fed only algae, 22 % survived through metamorphosis to postlarvae, whereas only 4% of those fed only Artemia nauplii survived through metamorphosis. More of the larvae which were fed the mixed diet survived to the postlarval stage than was recorded with any other diet; 48% completed metamorphosis. Development of algae-fed larvae was significantly slower than that of larvae fed the mixed diet, and there also appeared to be a slight (but non-significant) trend for algae-fed larvae to pass through more molts prior to metamorphosis than did those larvae fed the mixed diet. These results are discussed in relation to the results of other studies concerning the dietary requirements of caridean shrimp larvae.

Publication Statement

Contribution (Virginia Institute of Marine Science) no. 421

Download

Share Feedback

Share

COinS