Life-span and reproductive capacity of sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, under laboratory conditions

Life-span and reproductive capacity of sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, were investigated in artificial seawater (Instant OceanReg.) under laboratory conditions. Sea lice were maintained on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in recirculation systems for as long as 7 months. During this period sea lice repeatedly produced eggs (up to 10 pairs of eggs strings). The numbers of eggs produced within an egg string varied considerably, suggesting wide variations in reproductive output. Egg strings were longer and had more eggs in earlier reproductive cycles. Eggs produced in earlier cycles also had greater viability, producing more active, infective copepodids..AT: Aquaculture Canada 2000.; CF: Proceedings of the 17th Annual Meeting of the Aquaculture Association of Canada, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, 28-31 May, 2000.; RE: 9 ref.; SC: 0J; 0V; 0I; ZA; VE; CA; PASource type: Electronic(1