Comparative feeding behaviour of Penaeus kerathurus (Forskal, 1775) (Crustacea, Penaeidae) and Palamon serratus (Pennant, 1777) (Crustacea, Palaemonidae) during larval development

Aspects of larval feeding of two autochthonous species of shrimp, Penaeus k erathurus (Forskal, 1775) and Palaemon serratus (Pennant, 1777), were studi ed. For P. kerathurus, feeding rates on Chlorella sp. and Isochrysis galban a Parke were determined at 3 different concentrations, during the protozoea l stage, and on Artemia franciscana Kellog at 4 different densities, during the mysis stage. The selectivity between Brachionus plicatilis Muller and Artemia franciscana nauplii was tested experimentally and the Ivlev selecti vity index was calculated at the mysis stage. For Palaemon serratus Zoea II I, V and VII, feeding rates on newly hatched A. franciscana nauplii, on met anauplii enriched during 24 hours in Protein Selco (R) and on starved metan auplii were determined. The Ivlev selectivity index was also calculated. Th e results revealed that Penaeus kerathurus and Palaemon serratus larvae hav e a negative selectivity for B. plicatilis. It is also suggested that the o ptimal density of A. franciscana for the mysis stage of P. kerathurus is ar ound 10 nauplii mL(-1). Finally, it was shown that the use of enrichment pr oducts leading to a very high lipid content of the prey may reduce their co nsumption rate.