A review of the biology and ecology of Artemia persimilis Piccinelli & Prosdocimi, 1968 (Crustacea: Anostraca), as basis for its management

Abstract

The genus Artemia (brine shrimp) is a small cosmopolitan crustacean, which primarily inhabits hypersaline water bodies, such as inland salt lakes, ponds and coastal lagoons. In Argentina two bisexual populations are encountered: Artemia franciscana and A. persimilis. The second is believed to be endemic to Argentina, but recently there have been some reports of their presence in a few locations in southern Chile. Artemia have been extensively studied because it is the most useful living food resource for the larval states of fish and crustaceans, and because of their unique reproductive strategies. Many authors in Argentina have agreed to indicate that A. persimilis needs special attention, and should be evaluated as a natural resource for aquaculture. The present paper provides a brief review of ecological aspects of A. persimilis and an overview of their use in aquaculture.