First biocharacterization of Artemia populations from western and northwestern Algeria

Morphological and reproductive characteristics of brine shrimp Artemia from two western Algerian populations (El Melah and Timimoun) were studied for the first time alongside the northwestern population (Bethioua). Sexual, survival, growth, and reproduction were recorded for each population raised under standardized culture conditions. The morphological results showed that Artemia from the Timimoun and El Melah populations are bisexual, while the Bethioua population is parthenogenetic. After 20 days at salinity of 80 PSU, higher survival rates were found for the El Melah (85.5%) and Timimoun (72.0%) populations, while the Bethouia population showed the lowest survival rate (30.2%). Total body lengths of naupliar stages of the parthenogenetic populations were significantly longer than those of the bisexual populations. The Bethouia population displayed the highest absolute growth rate resulting in the largest adults compared to the bisexual populations. El Melah and Timimoun females were significantly larger morphologically in seven of the nine morphological characteristics compared to their respective males. The Bethouia females had smaller total and abdominal lengths compared to the females from the bisexual populations. The bisexual strains were significantly different from the parthenogenetic population in 9 of the 11 reproductive characteristics. Bethouia females, however, had the highest offspring/day/female and longest post-reproductive period compared to bisexual females. The Timimoun population adapted reproductive strategies differently compared to the other two populations: a late maturity (21.6 days), and more offspring/females (65.1). The data from the study will help future management and potential development of the Algerian brine shrimp populations.