Characterization of Libyan <i>Artemia</i> from Abu Kammash Sabkha

Artemia cysts have been collected from Abu Kammash Sabkha at the western part of Libya. The cyst material was processed and used for the following characterization analyses: cyst and naupliar biometrics, cyst hatching characteristics, sex ratio and mode of reproduction, survival and naupliar growth rate. The cross-breeding tests have been performed with different other well known sibling species. These tests with cyst biometrics showed that Abu Kammash Artemia belonged to the Artemia salina (tunisiana) sibling species complex. This identification of Libyan Artemia is of critical importance before considering any transplantation or inoculation of other Artemia strains to new habitats in Libya. Although quality improvements may be expected through improved harvesting and processing, Libyan Artemia demonstrated acceptable hatching characteristics with decapsulation treatment or cold storage and might be a good food source in aquaculture

Reproductive and lifespan characteristics of <i>Artemia</i> from Libyan Abu Kammash Sabkha

The reproductive performance of the Abu Kammash Artemia was tested in three salinities (100, 140 and 180 ppt) of Instant Ocean® solution at constant temperature of 25±1°C. Six reproductive and four lifespan characteristics were studied, they were: offspring per brood, brood per female, offspring per female per day during the reproductive period, days between broods, percent offspring encysted, total offspring per female, pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, post-reproductive period and total lifespan. The result indicated that Abu Kammash Artemia shows a preference to high salinity. The reproductive and lifespan characteristics have no significant differences in the three salinities (100, 140 and 180 ppt). These characteristics were found to be closer to A. tunisiana (salina). A high level of encysted offspring was observed which suggests the possibilities of it's commercial use. Also it is expected that these studies could contribute towards the more general understanding about the productivity of these animals, and prove helpful in developing this natural resource in Abu Kammash Subkha. At the same time, it will provide Libya with the opportunity to explore the practical use of the Artemia population from Abu Kammash for the country needs

Genetic identification of South African Artemia

Detailed molecular data of Artemia (Crustacea, Anostraca) from South Africa are scarce. Here, we provide for the first time genetic data on the species status and phylogeography of Artemia from this region after an extensive sampling expedition. Our 16S rRNA RFLP analysis of 27 Artemia populations, including seven from South African sites, provides evidence for the presence of a mixed bisexual and parthenogenetic component in this area. Phylogenetic and network analyses reveal that three (out of seven) Artemia populations from South Africa belong to the invasive A. franciscana, two of them belong to A. salina while the last two contain both parthenogenetic and bisexual (A. salina) individuals. From a total of 18 haplotypes identified, seven were recorded from South Africa. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed report of A. franciscana in this region. Its invasiveness is reaffirmed by evidence for the complete replacement of the native A. salina population from Velddrif Saltworks. However, in other cases, parthenogens seem to modify the capacity of A. franciscana to replace natives. Results on the genetic identification of South African Artemia provide insights into the dynamics of invasion and co-occurrence and highlight effects on species interactions and on biodiversity in inland aquatic invertebrates