Kalpana, K V; Dr.James, P S B R(Cochin University of Science and Technology, 1999)
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Abstract:
Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers) is the most abundant species
along the coast of Kerala. It is cultured extensively by adoption of
traditional farming practices. The geographical location and water source
determines the seasonal and annual environmental fluctuations the
prawn farming systems experiences. The life cycle of the shrimp includes
its migration to the coastal deeper waters for spawning and the immigration
of larvae to the estuaries for growth. The survival of the species in such
complex ecosystems is thus critical to its life cycle. The animal adapts itself to
different environments through a physiological process known as osmoregulation.
The present study on osmoregulation in the penaeid prawn
Metapenaeus dobsoni was thus undertaken to understand the mechanism
adopted by this species to survive in different environments. A
number of experimental work have been conducted to understand the
effect of salinity on the internal variations. However the effect of the
complex environmental conditions as existent in nature on the osmotic
variations in this species has not been dealt with in any of the earlier studies.