Anatomy and histological evaluation of the reproductive system of marine calanoid copepod Centropages furcatus from a mass culture perspective

Marine finfish culture is a priority area for future human food security. Although many marine finfish species have been domesticated and successful breeding and spawning in captive conditions are achieved, the larval rearing from hatchling to fingerling stage to the desired level is yet to be achieved. One of the essential impediment factors in this process is the availability of suitable live feed for the finfish larvae. The traditional live feeds (Artemia nauplii and rotifers) must be more adequate in size spectrum and nutritive value to many marine finfish larvae. In nature, copepod nauplii, copepodite stages, and adults constitute the preferred food of marine finfish larvae. Copepod size spectrum, nutritive value and swimming movements make them ideal live prey items for fish larvae. Nevertheless, the high-density culture of copepods is challenging due to their sexual reproduction and high species-specific variability. Further, adequate knowledge of the candidate species' food and feeding habits, reproductive biology, and life cycle strategies should exist. With this objective present study describes the female and male reproductive system, oogenesis and spermatogenesis, egg production, and reproductive potential of a candidate calanoid copepod species, Centropages furcatus. This basic information will help develop mass culture protocol for this species.