SURVIVAL AND GROWTH-RATE OF PERINEREIS-RULLIERI (POLYCHAETA, NEREIDIDAE) UNDER DIFFERENT SALINITIES AND DIETS

The effects of salinity and diet on survival and growth rate of the ne reidid polychaete Perinereis rullieri have been investigated under con trolled laboratory conditions. The experiment began from nec nectochae tes at 5-6 setigerous segments to exclude the high mortality occurring immediately after hatching. The tested salinities were 10 - 20 - 30 a nd 40 parts per thousand that slightly exceed those recorded in the na tural environment during larval emergence. The larvae were fed with Te tramin MicroMin dry fish food and Tetramin MicroMin added with freeze- dried lyophilised Ulva rigida to test the possible antistress effect o f vitamins C and E, in which the alga is rich. The experimental result s highlight the influence of salinity on survival and growth race of P . rullieri. Enrichment with alga does not significantly affect survivo rship and growth rates under all experimental conditions.