A method for testing the effectiveness of artificial incubation of eggs vs. maternal brooding in the freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor (Decapoda : Parastacidae)

摘要

Artificial incubation of eggs of Cherax destructor from 2 days post-spawning, using a suspension upweller, achieved survival rates averaging 93%, which was equal to or better than maternal incubation. Determining survival of a particular clutch with maternal incubation is difficult because it is impossible to count the large numbers of eggs while they are attached to the pleopods. A statistical method for estimating the initial numbers of eggs on the pleopods on one side of the mother from counts of eggs stripped off the pleopods on the other side is presented in this paper.