Effects of different diet culture the developmental process of the Robertgurneya sp.
Benthic harpacticoid copepods are widely distributed in marine ecosystem,which is particularly abund-ant in the epilithic algal matrix(EAM)of coral reefs.Due to its unique habitat,there is currently limited research on its developmental process and cultivation methods.In this study,we collected epilithic algal matrix from the coral reef of Luhuitou,Sanya,Hainan in the summer of 2023,from which we isolated one species of Harpacticoida,which was belonging to the genus Robertgurneya based on morphological characteristics.The effects of mono-and mixed-algal cultures on the developmental dynamics of Robertgurneya sp.were observed and recorded.The results showed that the adult body length of the Robertgurneya sp.was 0.5-0.7 mm,with an average life cycle of about 61-68 days.There were no significant differences in egg number per female each time,brood number,reproduct-ive cycle,and life cycle between different feed cultivation techniques.However,under mixed algae culture,the av-erage egg diameter,larval survival rate,and maximum body length of nauplii stage VI in the embryonic develop-ment stage of the Robertgurneya sp.were significantly higher than those in the mono-algae culture group(p<0.05).Moreover,the embryonic development time and cumulative copepodid development time were significantly shorter under mixed-algal culture(p<0.05).The results indicate that Robertgurneya sp.in EAM have a short life cycle and strong reproductive ability.Considering the abundant benthic microalgae and organic debris in the mats,harpacticoida may be able to provide huge potential food resources for predators such as small fish in coral reefs.Therefore,it may play an important role in the material cycle and energy flow of coral reef ecosystems.
harpacticoida copepodscoral reefsepilithic algal matrixdietcultivation methodsdevelopmental process
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