Abstract
Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) is an introduced species in the estuary of the Mondego River (Portugal): it was first recorded from the Iberian Peninsula in 1989. The larval development of this population was studied under laboratory conditions at different temperatures and salinities, and showed a larval development pattern very similar to that reported for American estuarine populations of this species. Larval development was negatively correlated with temperature. Time to megalopa varied between 7 and 35 d; the first crab (C1) was reached after a maximum of 11 to 43 d. Larval development was optimum at 25°C and 15‰S. Larval survival was maximum at 10, 15 and 20‰S at all three temperatures studied (20, 25 and 30°C). The percentage of abnormal megalopae increased with increasing salinity to a maximum (100%) at 30‰S; incidence of abnormality was not affected by temperature.
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Communicated by J. M. Pérès, Marseille
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Gonçalves, F., Ribeiro, R. & Soares, A.M.V.M. Laboratory study of effects of temperature and salinity on survival and larval development of a population of Rhithropanopeus harrisii from the Mondego River estuary, Portugal. Marine Biology 121, 639–645 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349299
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00349299