Microelements in nauplii of Artemia franciscana (Kellog, 1906) from six mexican populations and their relationship with fishes and crustaceans

Abstract

This study describes the concentrations of iron (Fe), copper Cu, cinc (Zn), and manganese Mn for the nauplius stage of Artemia franciscana from six populations: Salinas de Hidalgo in the State of San Luis Potosi; Texcoco in the State of Mexico; Tres Hermanos, from Yavaros, State of Sonora; La Esperanza in Ohuira, State of Sinaloa; and Las Coloradas and Juchitán, State of Oaxaca. The determination of these elements was made from nauplii obtained from decapsulated and hatched cysts. The resulting nauplii were dried, pulverized and submitted to acid digestion. The determination was made by using an atomic absorption spectrum. The nauplii from San Luis Potosi showed the highest concentration of the four elements. Fe was the most abundant element in the nauplii of all six populations (506.91-1,469.16 mg/L). Zinc was in second place in quantity (75.30-155.47 mg/L). Copper was detected in all nauplii at high levels of concentration (24.23-101.76 mg/L) with respect to desirable amounts for catfish and peneid shrimp. Manganese was present in smaller amounts (15.88-28.76 mg/L) in all six populations and met the diet requirements of fish in general (20 to 50 mg/kg in thediet), only nauplii from Ohuira, and from the State of San Luis Potosí were able to cover their needs. Information on requirements for fish and shrimp larvae that feed on Artemia nauplii is scarce, therefore it is necessary to carry out more studies on this topic to support the development of suitable diets for cultivated these species.