Quantitative Investigations of Hatching in Brine Shrimp Cysts

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2006, Volume 27

Charlie Drewes

Abstract

Hatching brine shrimp (Artemia) cysts in salt water is a popular demonstration in introductory biology classes. However, despite the fact that Artemia cysts are readily available and inexpensive, they are rarely utilized for controlled and quantitative investigation in student labs (Ward- Booth and Reiss, 1988). Presumably, this is because of presumed or perceived difficulties in handling and counting cysts. Indeed, the cysts are light-weight, tiny (about 0.25 mm diameter), and very susceptible to mechanical damage (crushing). Furthermore, it is difficult to follow the developmental progress of loose collections of cysts, especially if there is any slight movement of water. Lastly, if an overabundance of cysts is placed together in an unaerated container to observe mass hatching, the typical result is rapid and premature "crashing" of the newly hatched brine shrimp population. Novel protocols described here circumvent all these difficulties by (1) permitting easy handling of cysts and precise quantification of their hatching success, (2) enabling clear viewing of development and hatching in individual cysts, and (3) promoting conservative use of cysts as well as prolonged survival of hatched larvae in the absence of aeration.

Keywords:  brine shrimp, brine shrimp cycle

Virginia Tech (2005)