Effect of temperature on egg development time and productivity of Acartia steueri and population variations of family Acartiidae in Dadaepo Beach, Busan, Korea

Abstract

Aim: This research aimed to study the effect of temperature on egg production rate, egg development time, hatching success rate and egg size of Acartia steueri and seasonal variation of species composition of family Acartiidae. Methodology: Population variations of Acartiidae were investigated based on weekly collected samples from Dadaepo beach, Busan, Korea. Live copepods were reared in laboratory at five temperature regimes (10, 14, 18, 22 and 26℃) to estimate temperature effects on the egg development time and productivity of A. steueri. Results: Total five acartiid species were found in the study area: Acartia omorii, A. steueri, A. pacifica, A. erythraea, and A. sinjiensis. A. steueri and A. omorii were dominated in colder months from January to April, while A. pacifica, A. erythraea and A. sinjiensis were abundant during warmer months from August to December. Egg production rates were significantly correlated with water temperature. The embryonic development time of A. steueri was longest at 10 ºC and shortest at 22 ºC. The egg size decreased with increase in water temperature. Interpretation: This study indicated that temperature influenced embryonic development rate, generation time and population variations of acartiid copepods.