Some biological features of a freshwater fairy shrimp,Branchinecta schantzi, Mackin, 1952 in the North

Abstract

This communication describes the occurrence and several biological features of Branchinecta schantzi in two habitats in the northwestern Himalayas. In both the populations, the hatching of overwintering eggs began when the sediments thawed, i.e. in April in low-laying paddy fields, and in August in high altitude seasonal ponds, thus corresponding with an increase in water temperature and nutrient level. Egg production of females in both environments was synchronous (throughout the population). Size and egg production at high elevation was comparatively small and low, respectively, when compared to the lowland population.