Larval survival and megalopa production of Scylla sp. at different salinities

Abstract

Salinity tolerance was determined for each zoeal stage of Scylla sp. Larvae from ablated pond-grown females were abruptly transferred to salinities of 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 ppt. Spawning salinity or previous rearing salinity was 32 ppt, except for Z5 which were previously reared at 26 ppt. The mean median lethal time or LT50 values were compared between salinities. For Z1 and Z2, highest values were obtained at 20–32 ppt. Z3 had highest LT50 values at 20–24 ppt and Z4 at 24–32 ppt. For Z5, highest LT50 values were obtained at 20–32 ppt. Another batch of Z3 and Z4 were subjected to the same abrupt salinity transfers and reared to the megalopa stage. Significantly higher percentages of larvae metamorphosed to the megalopa stage at salinities of 20–28 ppt when transfer to test salinities was at Z3. When transfer was at Z4 or Z5, the highest percentage of larvae moulted to the megalopa stage at 24–28 ppt or at 28 ppt, respectively.