Open AccessBiology of Idotea baltica in Chondrus Aquaculture 1
Author(s) -
Shacklock Peter F.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of the world aquaculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0893-8849
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1992.tb00775.x
Subject(s) - biology , brood , baltica , cannibalism , botany , zoology , ecology , fishery , larva , paleontology , ordovician
The marine isopod, Idoreu baltica , was studied in conjunction with Chondrus crispus aquaculture to provide information necessary for managing populations of grazers in the biological control of algal weed species. Feeding rates, growth, and reproductive activities varied directly with temperature between 10 C and 20 C. The amount of Chondrus consumed at 20 C was approximately double that at 10 C. Female I. baltica released young at about 16 day intervals at 20 C, 25 days at 15 c and 60 days at 10 C. One female grown at 17 C produced a total of 8 broods of young over a 182 day period. The number of young per brood from this female increased from 84 (1st brood) to 310 (7th brood) as she matured. Ectocurpus, Enteromorpha and Palmaria were grazed preferentially over Chondrus and Gracilaria; a preference for haploid phases of Chondrus over diploid phases was also noted. Cannibalism was prevalent and it is suggested that this behavior might fulfill a dietary requirement.