Clam shrimps are small crustaceans typical of temporary ponds. To survive in these highly variable and unpredictable environments, they produce resistant eggs. These settle on the bottom of pools where they remain dormant, forming a cyst bank. We investigated the effects of light and temperature, both of which break the dormancy of Eulimnadia colombiensis eggs. Dormancy was not broken below 25°C, irrespective of the effect of light. Hatching was highest (27.8% of eggs) at 30°C in continuous light. Light also influenced the development of eggs, and some nauplii hatched spontaneously without drought stress. Methods are suggested for the cultivation of this species in tropical areas.
Clam shrimps; dormancy; egg production; environmental influence