Effects of culture conditions on the growth rate and population size of Apocyclops dengizicus (Arthropoda: Copepoda)

The study aimed to investigate the growth rate and the population size of the copepod Apocyclops dengizicus under different culture conditions of salinity, temperature, and diet. Five salinities, four levels of temperature, and four diet ratios of baker’s yeast and the microalgae were employed for a 20-day experiment. The results showed that A. dengizicus could survive in every experimental concentration of salinity after 20 days of culture, of which the highest growth rate and the largest population size were recorded at a salinity of 15 ppt with values of 0.26 ± 0.01d-1 and 1221 ± 270 individuals, respectively. As for temperature, the A. dengizicus population thrived best at 34°C, with a growth rate reaching 0.29 ± 0.01d-1 and a maximum population size of 2097.0 ± 193.29 individuals obtained at the end of the experiment. Moreover, a diet with 25% Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 75% Chlorella vulgaris showed the best population development (0.25 ± 0.01d-1, 997.5 ± 1 92.09 individuals).