A Preliminary Study On The Effects Of Salinity On Egg Development Of European Squid (Loligo Vulgaris Lamarck, 1798)

Abstract

The effects of salinity on the development and incubation of European squid (Loligo vulgaris, Lamarck, 1798) eggs were investigated from December 2001 to March 2002. The egg capsules were incubated in 37‰, 34‰, 31‰, 28‰, and 0‰ salinity without any acclimation process. Mean temperature was 12±2.0°C. Illumination was maintained at 1.5 lux at the water surface. Full embryonic development and hatching were observed after 64-76 and 66-76 days at 37‰ and 34‰ salinity, respectively. Hatching rates were estimated as 88.5% at 37‰ and 60% at 34‰. In salinity below 34‰, the eggs died at very early stages. Average dorsal mantle lengths of the new hatchlings were 2.53±0.08 mm at 37‰ and 2.48±0.11 mm at 34‰.