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Examines the anostracan species in Iran. Identification of Chirocephalus skorikowi, Branchinecta orientalis and Branchinella spinosa; Analysis of the distribution of the species; Risk associated with the elimination of the species.

A survey of temporary freshwaters in the Republic of Belarus revealed the presence of two anostracan species (Chirocephalus josephinae and Drepanosurus hankoi). The two species co-occur in a majority of pools. Their life cycle partly overlaps, with D. hankoi the first to disappear. Morphological variability in Bielorussian populations is briefly discussed and compared with existing information. Two further species were found in Museum collections (Chirocephalus shadini and Streptocephalus torvicornis). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory cultured fairy shrimps Branchipus pasai and Chirocephaluskerkyrensis, fed on an alga (Selenastrum capricornutum), a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and an HUFA enriched yeast (Lansy PZ, produced by Artemia Systems, Gent, Belgium) were evaluated for their fatty acid (FA) Profiles and total lipid content in order to obtain information on species differences in food conversion. The results indicate significant qualitative and quantitative differences (P<0.001) in FA profiles both of feed and of fairy shrimp species. Among the three different diets, an appreciable lipid amount was recorded in the alga, as compared with baker's yeast which showed the poorest lipid content.The algal fatty acid profile showed adequate amounts of the EFA 18:2n6, 18:3n3 and 20:5n3 (the most meaningful for aquacultural purposes). The enriched yeast was characterised by a considerable total lipid amount and by the presence of all the EFA. The overall amounts of fatty acids in the fairy shrimps correlated well with their levels in the feed (r>0.9, P<0.001). An exception was noted in the n-3 HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids) and n-6 acids, among individuals fed on yeast. ighly significant differences (P<0.001) were also noted betweenthe two fairy shrimp species fed on the same food type. When fed enriched yeast, both B. pasai and C. kerkyrensis profiles roughly reflected diet composition. However, when fed on algae or baker's yeast, the two species, though to different extents, exhibited higher EFA levels than those recorded in the food. This seems to support the existence of a partial FA bioconversion capacity in fairy shrimps previouslynoted in the case of the brine shrimp Artemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild populations of five Chirocephalus species from Italy were tested for their fatty acid profiles, particularly essential fatty acids (EFA) in order to obtain information on species differences. Chirocephalus diaphanus, C. kerkyrensis and C. salinus were from temporary plain pools, whereas C. ruffoi and C. marchesonii came from a mountain pool and an astatic high altitude lake. Statistical comparisons of theresults obtained revealed significant (P<0.05) qualitative and quantitative differences among the species studied. Besides genetic make-up, other factors are presumably involved in these differences. Among these, environmental stability, and hence food quality and quantity, may play a major role, an hypothesis supported by previous findings regarding the possibility of manipulating fairy shrimp fatty acid patterns by using different diets. Further investigation is needed, however, on the fatty acid composition of the food resources from different habitats in relation to the fairy shrimp inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report finding the Anostraca, Branchinecta orientalis Sars, 1901,in a temporary lake in the Nepalese Himalayas. The lake, referred toas a non-permanent water collection by Lvffler, was sampled in the framework of a research project on lakes in remote areas (Ev-K2-CNR Project), aimed at studying the transport of pollutants on a global scale. The species identified, never reported before for this region, was found only in one water body out of a total of 34 sampled, identified as Lake 70 in the Ev-K2-CNR Cadastre. Resting eggs were present inthe sediments. A list of species making up the zooplankton, togetherwith some information on the hydrochemistry and climate of the region, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycle of Chirocephalus kerkyrensis, a typical species of the Mediterranean plain forest, was studied in the field during 1990/91and 1991/92. Temperature, and its variation, was the major factor affecting life history. Marked, sudden temperature fluctuations resulted in depressed growth and longevity. Fertility was positively correlated (P<0.001) with female body length. No decline in egg production was observed at the end of life, in contrast to other species. Hatching was observed after a long drought followed by alternating wet and dry phases. Laboratory tests on hatching gave contrasting results and showed that drying is not obligatory. Cysts stored in 100% relative humidity gave higher numbers of nauplii after a shorter time than dried ones, at all temperatures tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]