Intrapopulation Morphological Variability of Adult Artemia parthenogenetica Barigozzi, 1974 (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) of the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, Caspian Sea

Four morphological parameters (body length, cephalothorax length, abdominal length, and furcal setae number) were analyzed in adult specimens of the parthenogenetic population of a brine shrimp Artemia parthenogenetica, a polymorphic species collected from the waters of the Kara-Bogaz-Gol Bay, Caspian Sea. Significant intrapopulation variability in furcal setae number and insignificant variability in body length, abdominal length, and cephalothorax length were observed. A strong negative correlation was found between salinity and furcal setae number. For the first time, salinity has been shown to influence the cephalothorax length in specimens of parthenogenetic population. It is suggested that this may be related to the hydrochemical composition of the bay’s waters.