Effects of unilateral eyestalk ablation on moulting, growth, reproduction and energy budget of Macrobrachium nobilii

Unilateral eyestalk ablation in juvenile Macrobrachium nobilii advanced the onset of sexual maturity by 88 days. During a 330-day experiment, ablated prawns undertook nine moults as adults, carried seven clutches and produced an average of 5,935 eggs. Nonablated prawns undertook four moults as adults, carried three clutches and produced only 2,042 eggs. Ablated female prawns allocated more energy for egg production that did nonablated females (0.98 J egg-1 and 0.72 J egg-1, respectively); this was accomplished by an improvement of food conversion efficiency in ablated females