Bohai Bay Haifeng Saltworks Artemia Life History And Population Dynamics

The brine shrimp Artemia's life history, population dynamics and effects of salinity on population traits and reproduction traits were studied at Haifeng Saltworks, which situated along Bohai Bay. There were many male adults in the salt pond during the study. It inferred that the Artemia parthenogenetica population was mixed with Artemia franciscana Kellogg population. There are six generations altogether during one year. The first generation hatched from overwintering cysts in late March.. The sixth generation reproduced oviparously in midst September. The population density reached its maximum in midst May. In summer, the population density declined. In late summer, the density increased and reached another maximum. Consequently, it declined and never increased till the population almost disappeared in midst November. The percentage of adults among the population fluctuated several times during one year. From midst September, it increased continually until the population was totally composed of adults. The quadratic equations between salinity and the log- transformed densities from May to October were established. The optimum range of salinity is 9.30 12.43o Be. There were few Artemia in the salt pond whose salinity was below 6 or in excess of 200 Be. The linear regression equations between mean individual fecundity and salinity were established from July to October. The two highest mean individual fecundity were 83.2 ?29. 50 and 83.3 ?24. 02 /female, which occurred in No.1 salt pond of No; 1 Saltworks in September and October.