The possibilities for artificial incubation of white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes Lereboullet) eggs: comparison between maternal and artificial incubation.

摘要

The efficacy of a system for the artificial incubation of white-clawed crayfish eggs was examined. Comparisons between maternal and artificial incubation, during a period of time equivalent to 42% of the total duration of embryonic development, demonstrated the suitability of the system for artificial incubation for eggs of this species. The survival rate to juvenile stage 2 was significantly higher (P<0.05) for artificially incubated eggs (68.2%) than for eggs attached to the maternal pleopods throughout embryonic development (56.2%). It was observed that most mortality during artificial incubation occurred between the eyed stage and juvenile stage 2.