Ecological surveys on the parthenogenetic Artemia populations in the hypersaline lakes of Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The objective of this study is to provide information on the parthenogenetic Artemia populations in some hypersaline lakes ofAnatolia (Tuz, Bolluk, Tersakan, and Acıgöl). Sampling studies were performed for abiotic factors and population parameters betweenNovember 2009 and October 2010. During the survey we focused on the local Artemia populations to investigate population dynamics,reproduction, brood size, and cyst and naupliar biometrics. Generally, the Artemia habitats in Anatolia were relatively shallow, and thusthey were subject to major seasonal fluctuations. Dramatic declines in population size in Tuz and Acıgöl Lakes were found during thisstudy. All Artemia populations were parthenogenetic and brood sizes of females showed significant differences among the populations(P < 0.05). The largest brood size was observed in the Acıgöl population and it may be concluded that local conditions for reproductivesuccess were more adequate in this population. Substantial differences among populations were revealed during the studies on cystand naupliar biometry. Cyst diameter mean values ranged from 231.8 to 266.9 µm. The cyst diameters for the Acıgöl population aredetermined as the smallest in these populations and among the smallest values recorded in parthenogenetic populations. The totallength of newly hatched nauplii ranged from 484 to 512 µm for these populations.