Chromatophore color fading in the zoeae of Caridina japonica (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) under various preservative and temperature conditions

Abstract

The rate of chromatophore fading of first zoeae of the amphidromous atyid shrimp Caridina japonica was studied using eight different preservatives (1%, 3%, and 5% formalin, 1%, 3%, and 5% neutral formalin, 50% ethylene glycol, and 2.5% glutaraldehyde) at two different temperature regimes (2°C and 30°C) giving total of sixteen trials. The degree of preservation of abdominal chromatophores were periodically observed until 120 days after initial preservation. Differences between temperature regimes were more marked than between preservations, with 1% formalin at 2°C being the most effective preservative to minimize pigment loss. Significant differences in the vulnerability of color fading were noted between different chromotophores on the abdomen.