Atyid Shrimps of the Genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837. Potential Crustacean Material for Experimental Biology

Abstract

The freshwater shrimps belonging to the atyid genus Caridina have a great potential as experimental biological material amongst decapod crustaceans due to the following features: 1. Easy availability throughout the year. 2. Occurrence in practically all kinds of inland and coastal water bodies. 3. Convenient size to handle and maintain in the laboratory. 4. Natural hardiness to salinity, temperature, low dissolved oxygen levels, and desiccation. 5. Omnivorous/scavenging feeding habits. 6. Early maturation. 7. Breeding throughout the year with rather short interbreeding periods. 8. Good fecundity. 9. Eggs fairly large, hardy, easily removable, and hatching in vitro. 10. Metamorphosis representing all types of larval developmental patterns. 11. Successful rearing of larvae in fresh to saline waters using a simple technique with almost 100% survival rate and scope for cross-breeding. All these properties of Caridina sufficiently merit their consideration as a suitable biological tool for studies in such diverse disciplines as ecology, physiology, photobiology, reproductive biology, embryology, genetical engineering, etc.