Effect of salinity in survival, growth, and osmotic capacity of early juveniles of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (decapoda: penaeidae)

The effect of salinity in survival, growth and osmotic capacity of juvenile Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis was determined. Survival was not affected by salinities from 15 to 35% during 96 h exposure periods. Shrimps exposed to 5 and 10% were noticeably affected by salinity with a survival of 0 and 48% after 96 h, respectively. Lethal salinity for 50% of the individuals in 96 h (LS(50), 96 h) at 28 degrees C was 10%. Growth rate (mg dw day (-1)) was significantly higher at higher salinities. The isosmotic point of early juvenile F. brasiliensis was 794 mOSm kg(-1), at around 25 parts per thousand. Results indicate that F. brasiliensis has low tolerance to low saline environments, and grows better in salinities greater than its isosmotic point. Osmotic capacity seemed to be related to biological characteristics that determine the environmental preferences and behavior, as well as the distribution of this shrimp species. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.