The effect of temperature on hatching effect of brine shrimps

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The effect of temperature on hatching effect of brine shrimps

Aim:

This experiment is being performed in order to determine the optimum conditions for brine shrimp hatching and the conditions that are less favourable for hatching and growth.

Hypothesis:

Brine shrimp are a species of aquatic crustaceans. Their cysts can remain dormant for several years and are metabolically inactive. This means that they can remain in dry, oxygen free environments for long periods of time without being affected. This is called cryptobiosis. Once the cysts are in contact with salt water, they hatch within a few hours and are around 500 micrometers long upon hatching. During maturity, they can grow to as much as 10mm and have a life span of around 1 year. It is believed that the higher temperatures are more preferential for the hatching of the cysts. This temperature ranges up to around 35ºC at which the shrimps find it increasingly difficult to sustain life. In this experiment the highest temperature being used is 30ºC, so the shrimps should be able to survive and thrive.

This higher temperature is what I believe to be the most suitable temperature for