Effects of Rearing Temperature on Larval Survival and Growth and on Reproductive Traits of Palaemon serrifer (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae)

Larvae of Palaemon serrifer were reared in the laboratory under three different temperature regimes ( 15∘C , 20∘C , 25∘C ) to study the effects of rearing temperature on larval survival and growth, as well as other traits such as embryo volume, number of embryos (fecundity), incubation period, development. Mode and development period. Growth pattern was analyzed by measuring the molt increment and intermolt period. The intermolt period consistently increased with size and instar number and was shortest at 25∘C . However, molt increments generally decreased with instar number. Number of embryos varied from 552 to 1355. The relationship between the number of embryos and carapace length was expressed by the equation (fecundity) y=2.7744x+0.208 ( R² =0.7961). Egg volume was a primary factor affecting other life-history traits. Egg volume was 0.078\;m³ , which is relatively small thus embryos exhibited a relatively short incubation period and a comparatively short development period, and the nutritional mode was planktotrophic. Brood production was followed by a fast parturitional pattern. Most ovigerous females had mature ovaries when the parturial molt occurred soon after eclosion.