INCO Concerted Action

Artemia Biodiversity: Current global resources and their sustainable exploitation

ICA4-CT-2001-10020

Scientific annual report Year 1

Period 1 January-31 December 2002 1. Workplan year 1 (1 January-31 December 2002) as specified in Technical Annex

1.1. Work packages and Deliverables to be realized in Year 1

Work Work package title Lead Start End Deliverable package contractor month month No No No WP1 Global Workshop 1 3 3 D1 WP2 Regional Workshop I 10 9 9 D2 WP5 Training Lab I 1 6 32 D5 WP6 Training Lab II 3 6 32 D6 WP7 Training Lab III 4 6 32 D7

Deliverable Deliverable title Delivery date No D1 Global Workshop : conclusions & recommendations 5 D2 Regional Workshop I: conclusions & recommendations 11

1.2. Description of work for year 1 a) Organisation of workshops (project funding provided for 1 staff member per partner, but focusing on the broadest audience, including attendants from non-DC, non-EU countries): 1. ‘global’ workshop organized by partner 1 (RUG, coordinating EU-partner) 2. regional workshop I organized by partner 10 (SRI, DC-partner)

Terms of reference of workshops: 1. ‘ Global workshop’: general topics of species description and species characterization, population description, biodiversity, intercalibration of methodologies; planning of other workshops; planning of training courses 2. Regional workshop I: Artemia resources of China (coastal and inland); threats for local populations by introduction of foreign species; initial evaluation of training courses; b) Training courses: Training at RUG (partner 1), University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, partner 3), Greece, and the Instituto de Acuicultura (CSIC), Castellón, Spain (partner 4).

Terms of reference of training: 1. partner 1: life cycle (diapause, hatching, reproductive) characteristics, DNA fingerprinting 2. partner 3: cytogenetics (chromosome study), population genetics, species characterization (biochemical and molecular markers) 3. partner 4: biometry, morphology, ecological requirements, physiological tolerances; strains co-existence Training will focus on intercalibration techniques: familiarization with strain characterisation techniques, as being used at EU- institutes. Feedback from training courses (with regard to methodologies, training success,…) will be given on the occasion of workshops.

2 1.3. Objectives

1. Worldwide exchange of expertise and technical intercalibration of Artemia strain characterization; focus on areas critical for Artemia supplies and/or endangered status of species (Central Asia, China, S.America, Mediterranean); definition and harmonization of current species/strain concepts; 2. Promotion of multidisciplinary approach (based on morphology, biometry, physiology, genetic markers, life span and reproduction…) 3. Harmonization (integration/intercalibration) of methods to assess population dynamics, standing crop size and maximal harvests 4. Issuing of scientific, technical and policy guidelines on species/population description, sustainable exploitation and introduction of foreign strains 5. Improve cohesion in Artemia study among EU partners 6. Upgrading of expertise of DC-institutions; uniformity of practices on Artemia species/population description and on exploitation policy among DC-partners 7. Intensification of scientific EU-DC links 8. Contribution to Artemia biodiversity preservation and sustainable exploitation 9. Use Artemia as model organism, with principles applicable to other animals facing similar risks

3 2. Work Package & Deliverable 1: Global Workshop Ghent University, Belgium, February 5-7, 2002 “Planning of Consortium Strategy”

2.1. Introductory Note

The Global workshop, first concrete realization of the INCO Project, was organized at an early stage, shortly after the official start of the Project on January 1, 2002, and was intended to be the formal and practical ‘kick-off’ meeting of the Project. Keywords of the Workshop:  general topics of species description and species characterization, population description, biodiversity  intercalibration of methodologies  planning of other workshops  planning of training courses

2.2. Programme

February 5: Oral presentations February 6: Discussions a.m.  General objectives of INCO project; planning of activities  Objectives of stays of visiting scientists  Objectives of regional workshops p.m.  Discussions of a.m: continued  Project management: financial aspects, reporting February 7: Discussions a.m.  Regional workshops: practical planning  Conclusions and recommendations

2.3. Participants and oral presentations

The purpose of the presentations was mainly to acquaint the audience with the expertise of all attendants’ Artemia expertise and to assess how complementarity and interaction of Project activities could be conceived. a) INCO Members

1. RUG : Sorgeloos Patrick, Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Ghent University, Belgium: “Welcome and introduction” Van Stappen Gilbert,Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Ghent University, Belgium: “Artemia research at the Artemia Reference Center” 2. CLO-DVZ : Bossier Peter, Agricultural Research Center-Ghent/Department of Sea Fisheries, Ostend, Belgium: “A database for Artemia authentication”

4 Wang Xiaomei, Agricultural Research Center-Ghent/Department of Sea Fisheries, Ostend, Belgium 3. AUTH Abatzopoulos Theodore, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Thessaloniki, Greece: “Running research projects at AUTH on Artemia and other organisms” Baxevanis Thanos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Thessaloniki, Greece 4. CSIC: Amat Francisco, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas de España), Ribera de Cabanes (Castellón), Spain: “Artemia biodiversity: current global resources and their sustainable exploitation” 5. La Sapienza : none 6. UBA: none 7. CTU: Nguyen Van Hoa,Institute of Science for Aquaculture, Can Tho University, Can Tho, Vietnam: “Artemia pond culture, strain characterisation and its approach in Vietnam” 8. INAT: Romdhane Mohammed, Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia: “Status of the Artemia biodiversity in Tunisian salt areas” 9. RU: Hecht Tom, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa Kaiser Horst, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa: “Characterisation of southern African Artemia populations, and the use of Artemia as a vector for probionts and hormones” 10. SRI: Xin Naihong, Salt Research Institute, Yingkou Road 831, 300450 Tanggu, Tianjin, PR China: “Artemia resources and their development in China” 11. UU: Agh Naser, Artemia and Aquatic Animals Research Center, Urmia University, Iran: “Studies on Artemia populations from Iran” 12. UAM-X: Castro Mejia Jorge, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Depto. El Hombre y su Ambiente, , Mexico D.F., Mexico: “Artemia research in the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana- Xochimilco, Mexico” 13. UFRN: Camara Marcos, Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil: “Artemia research at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil” 14. ULL: Gajardo Gonzalo, Department of Basic Sciences/Laboratory of Genetics & Aquaculture, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile: “Artemia characterization, species and speciation” 15. IART: Maryan Peter, Institute for Artemia Research and Training, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Rajakkamangalam, India: “Research on Artemia in the Institute for Artemia Research and Training” b) Guest Speakers (see below: ‘Involvement of Associated INCO partners):

Beardmore John, University College of Swansea, School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Swansea UK Boyko Elena, Tyumen State Agricultural Academy - The Siberian Science-Research and Project- Construction Institute of Fishery Tyumen, Russia: “Authentication of Artemia from Russia” Brendonck Luc, Laboratory Aquatic Ecology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium: “Adaptations to life in hyper-oligotrophic ephermeral pools”

5 Clegg Jim, Bodega Marine Laboratory, Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Bodega Bay, USA: “The diversity of Artemia habitats is reflected in the biochemical repertoire of this remarkable organism” Criel Godelieve, Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Histology, Ghent University, Belgium: “Morphological tools to help distinguishing Artemia species and populations” De Meester Luc, Laboratory Aquatic Ecology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium: “Dispersal, habitat size and genetic differentiation among zooplankton populations” MacRae Tom, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada: “Microtubule proteins and chaperones: molecular technologies applied to study of the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana” Marden Brad, Research and Development, Utah Strategic Alliance, Utah, USA: “Recovery of the Great Salt Lake, USA, brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) population”

2.4. Conclusions and Recommendations: Planning of Consortium Strategy

At the occasion of the Global Workshop, a number of concrete working guidelines were agreed upon, intending to contribute to the achievement of the Project’s objectives.

2.4.1. Involvement of ‘Associated’ INCO partners

The Project Consortium (PC) has the intention to involve, throughout the Project period, a number of experts in the field of Artemia study who are excluded from formal partnership to the INCO project (e.g. non-eligible countries affiliation; retired from active professional activity). Their role is envisaged as follows: 1. participation to Project events (Workshops), pending availability of alternative cq own financial resources; 2. access to information about Project’s activities; feedback and advice towards PC, thus providing added value to the PC’s scientific expertise Additionally, for regional workshops, the participation of local or regional Artemia experts is highly recommended, and the respective Consortium members (CM), responsible for the Project’s regional workshops (INCO partners 10, 11 and 14) have committed themselves to invite a maximum of guest speakers (by alternative financing) to upgrade the scientific relevance of the event.

2.4.2. Identification of ‘Action Plans’ and ‘Partnerships’

The Consortium Members realized that scientific progress in various fields of Artemia biodiversity would benefit from: 1. identification of concrete points where action needs to be taken; 2. subdivision of the Consortium into smaller workable task forces.

The CM thus decided to identify a number of concrete actions ("action plans") and to create a number of task forces or partnerships ("thematic" and "regional"), each working in an informal way around certain concrete themes. Consortium members (and ‘associates’) can join these respective task forces on a voluntary basis. For practical convenience, a coordinator has been appointed for each task force. Each task force identifies its own priorities and strategies, in line with the Project’s objectives. The task force coordinators agree to report briefly about their activities at the occasion of the 6 month- reports and the various workshops; here feedback from the entire Consortium is to be given, and the Project Coordinator ensures that there is mutual information flow between the groups, and that the Project Objectives are used as common denominator for all task forces.

Action plans (with abbrevation of participating CM’s; coordinator in bold): 1. Database: ARC, AUTH, CSIC, SRI, ULL, IART 2. Cyst bank: ARC, CSIC, SRI, UU, Jim Clegg 3. Study visits (visiting scientists): ARC, AUTH, CSIC

6 4. Publications, Reports, Website, Code of Conduct for conservation of biodiversity and sustainable exploitation: John Beardmore, ARC, AUTH, RU

Regional partnerships: 1. Africa: RU, ARC, AUTH, CSIC, INAT 2. China: SRI, ARC, CLO-DVZ, AUTH, UU 3. Iran: UU, ARC, CLO-DVZ, AUTH, CSIC 4. Mediterranean: AUTH, CSIC, LA SAPIENZA, INAT 5. Central Asia: ARC, CLO-DVZ, UU, Brad Marden, Elena Bojko 6. Latin America: ULL, CLO-DVZ, CSIC, UBA, UMA-X, UFRN 7. South Asia: IART, ARC, CTU, UU

Thematic partnerships: 1. Adaptation/Speciation: UFRN, CLO-DVZ, CSIC, CTU, RU, SRI, UMA-X, ULL 2. Diapause: AUTH, CLO-DVZ, IART, La Sapienza, Tom McRae, Jim Clegg 3. Plasticity: CSIC, INAT, RU, UMA-X

2.4.3. Planning of Workshops and Training (Study visits)

The timing for the First regional Workshop (Work Package and Deliverable 2) was set at September 2002. As for the training programme, an essential part to reach the Project’s objectives, it was agreed among CM, conform to the recommendations of the Commission evaluating the Project Proposal, that the training programme should be tailored according to the needs of both the ‘trainees’ and the hosting institutes. Moreover, CM agreed that the stays of the visiting scientists should not be restricted to trainings in se, but should focus on concrete points of collaborative research for the benefit of both host and trainee, and should maximally result in such concrete output like joint publications.

7 3. Work Package & Deliverable 2: First Regional Workshop Beijing, China, September 23-26, 2002

3.1. Introductory Note

For reasons of optimal logistics and of maximal participation by guest speakers, the organisers (SRI, Salt Research Institute, Tanggu) decided to organize the Workshop in Beijing (Zhongyang Hotel) instead of at their premises in Tanggu. Keywords of the Workshop:  Artemia resources of China (coastal and inland)  threats for local populations by introduction of foreign species  initial evaluation of scientists’ visits

3.2. Programme

September 23: a.m.-p.m. Oral presentations September 24: a.m. Oral presentations September 25: Excursion to Tanggu; visit to Salt Research Institute, Tanggu Saltworks and Fish Farm September 26: a.m.-p.m. Discussion

3.3. Participants and oral presentations

Li Shusheng (Director Salt Research Institute): “Welcome and Introduction of Salt Research Institute” a) INCO Members

1. RUG: Sorgeloos Patrick, Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Ghent University, Belgium: “Introduction to INCO project” Van Stappen Gilbert, Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center, Ghent University, Belgium:“INCO activities at Artemia Reference Center” 2. CLO-DVZ: Bossier Peter, Agricultural Research Center-Ghent/Department of Sea Fisheries, Ostend, Belgium: “A rDNA-RFLP database for identifying commercial Artemia samples” 3. AUTH: Abatzopoulos Theodore, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Thessaloniki, Greece: “Artemia characterisation based on mtDNA RFLP analyses” Baxevanis Thanos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, School of Biology, Thessaloniki, Greece 4. CSIC: Amat Francisco, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas de España), Ribera de Cabanes (Castellón), Spain: “Artemia biodiversity: current global resources and their sustainable exploitation” Nieves Sanz Maria, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas de España), Ribera de Cabanes (Castellón), Spain 5. La Sapienza: Mura Graziella, Dipartamento di Biologia Animale é dell'Uomo, Laboratorio di Zoologia Applicata, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy: “Use of morphological characters as a tool for species separation”

8 Giampaolo Rossetti, Dipartamento di Biologia Animale é dell'Uomo, Laboratorio di Zoologia, Università La Sapienza, Rome, Italy 6. UBA: Rosa Graciela Cohen de Sanchez, Universidad de Buenos Aires Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina: “An overview of the team's activities” 7. CTU: Van Hong Nguyen Thi, Institute of Science for Aquaculture, Can Tho University, Vietnam: “Artemia culture in Southeast Asia: emphasis to Vietnam” 8. INAT: Romdhane Mohammed, Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, Université de Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia 9. RU: Kaiser Horst, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa: “Preliminary RFLP analysis of mtDNA from southern African Artemia” 10. SRI: Xin Naihong, Salt Research Institute, Tanggu, Tianjin, PR China, Sui Liying, Salt Research Institute, Tanggu, Tianjin, P.R. China: “Characterization of Artemia from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Salt lakes” Yu Xiuling, Salt Research Institute, Tanggu, Tianjin, PR China: “Characterization of 4 Tibetan Artemia strains and HUFA profile during enrichment and starvation” Jin Zhiling, Salt Research InstituteTanggu, Tianjin, P.R. China, Chen Ziqiang, Salt Research Institute, Tanggu, Tianjin, P.R. China 11. UU: Agh Naser, Artemia and Aquatic Animals Research Center, Urmia University, Iran: “Coexistence of bisexual and parthenogenetic Artemia populations in Lake Urmia” 12. UAM-X: Thalia Castro, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Depto. El Hombre Y su Ambiente, Mexico: “Progress in Artemia study at UMA-X” 13. UFRN: Camara Marcos, Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil: “Ecological threats to Artemia franciscana Kellogg (Crustacea; Anostraca) populations in the coastal saltworks of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil” 14. ULL: Gajardo Gonzalo, Department of Basic Sciences/Laboratory of Genetics & Aquaculture, Universidad de Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile: “Artemia diversity and evolution in South America: new results and ideas in the framework of the Artemia Biodiversity project” 15. IART: Maryan Peter, Institute for Artemia Research and Training, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Rajakkamangalam, India: “Status of Artemia production in the coastal salt works of India” b) Guest Speakers & other attendants:

As this workshop focuses on Artemia from China, a number of Chinese participants from other institutes/universities had been invited: Chen Shao-zhong, Hangu Saltworks, Hangu, Tianjin: “The application of Artemia and development of new Artemia product” Dong Zhihua, China National Salt Industry Corporation, Beijing Jia Qinxian, Open Laboratory of Saline Lake Resources and Environment, The Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing: “Improvement of insect ecdysome on the hatching rate of Artemia eggs” Kong Fanjing, Research & Development Center of Salt lake and Epithermal Deposits, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing:“Genetic diversity of halophilic organism in Chinese salt lakes and application prospect for plant salt tolerance genetic engineering” Liang Peilin, China National Salt Industry Corporation, Beijing

9 Lin Jiahua, China National Salt Industry Corporation, Beijing Li Yanan, Marine Science and Engineering College, Tianjin Science and Technology University, Tanggu, Tianjin Liu Fengqi, Life Sciences College, Nankai University, Tianjin Sun Jingxian, Dalian Fisheries University, Dalian: “Some ecological parameters of Artemia parthenogenetica from Gahai Lake and its use in resource exploitation” Wang Xiaomei, Tianjin Agriculture University Xing Kezhi, Tianjin Agriculture University Zeng Hui, Life Sciences College, Nankai University, Tianjin: “The cloning of the Brine Shrimp DNA fragments correlated to the Bombyx mori doublesex gene” Zhang Fu, Marine Science and Engineering College, Tianjin Science and Technology University, Tanggu, Tianjin: “Preliminary study on the effect of Na/Mg ratio of artificial seawater and natural seawater on hatching ability of Artemia cysts” Zhang Yanmei, China National Salt Industry Corporation, Beijing Zheng Mianping, R&D Center of Saline Lakes and Epithermal Deposits, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Open Laboratory of Saline Lake Resources and Environment Research, Ministry of Land and Resources, Beijing.

Furthermore, the delegation of partner 11 (UU) had been reinforced by a delegation of the Iranian Fisheries Company, Dept. Public Relations and International Affairs, Tehran, Iran: Amir Shoahassani Lashidani Mahmoud Hafezieh

3.4. Conclusions and Recommendations

3.4.1. Artemia resources of China (coastal and inland)

Special efforts have been devoted in recent years to the inventorization of Chinese salt lakes in general, and more specifically to Artemia sites. Half of the total lake area of China is reported to consist of saline lakes (mostly in the inland provinces of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Qinghai and Tibet). There are more than 1000 saline lakes (salinity > 3.5 ppt) in China, with a total area of more than 50,000 km², of which 534 have been the subject of investigation. An overview of these salt lakes can be found in literature, as well as overviews on the occurrence and use of Chinese Artemia. One of the key problems in identifying Chinese Artemia sites remains the high incidence of misunderstandings or mistakes when transcribing Chinese names into Latin characters. Therefore a new, numerical, identification system for Chinese Artemia sites has been proposed in literature, taking into account the province and the inland or coastal location of the site.

The Artemia biodiversity of PR China shows a complex pattern. The prevailing mode of reproduction in the coastal habitats in China is parthenogenesis, though in recent years some populations are mixed with, or have been outcompeted by, introduced A. franciscana, as a consequence of the vicinity of aquaculture activities in the area and/or deliberate inoculations. Numerous parthenogenetic populations also exist in inland lakes and especially in the big salt lakes of Xinjiang and Qinghai provinces. In continental China an endemic species occurs, A. sinica. The recent exploration of new Artemia biotopes in PR China has resulted in the description of a new bisexual species, A. tibetiana found in Lagkor Co Lake, on the high plateaus of Tibet. Bisexuals are also found in other lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, though their species status has not been ascertained yet. According to recent data, they co-occur in these habitats with parthenogenetic strains.

China can thus be considered as a scale-model for global Artemia biodiversity phenomena: occurrence of several bisexual species into widely diverging and extreme habitats, co-occurrence of bisexual and parthenogenetic strains, introduction of allochthonous species and local populations being outcompeted by invasive strains. Similarly, the study of Artemia in China covers all possible scientific aspects with immediate relevancy for the local Chinese situation: Artemia biodiversity, taxonomy and

10 genetics, production in solar saltworks, application of cysts and biomass in aquaculture. The Salt Research Institute (INCO partner 10) is in a privileged position to act as ‘Reference Center’ for Artemia study, thanks to its cyst bank and to its network of contacts with saltworks, aquaculture operations, governmental agencies elsewhere in China (allowing to obtain Artemia cyst samples even from extremely remote areas), and with research institutes experienced in up-to-date Artemia research techniques abroad and in China itself; the advanced status of the study of Chinese Artemia strains and its interdisciplinary approach is illustrated by recent papers in the field of DNA fingerprinting and authentication, and by the use of allozyme electrophoresis to assess the inter- and intra-populational genetic variation in Chinese bisexual populations. The broad scope and importance of Artemia research in China is reflected by the participation to the Beijing Workshop of representatives from the salt production sector (Hangu Saltworks; China National Salt Industry Corporation), ecologists and geologists specialized in salt lake study (Laboratory of Saline Lake Resources and Environment; Research & Development Center of Salt lake and Epithermal Deposits, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences), aquaculturists and marine biologists (Marine Science and Engineering College, Tianjin Science and Technology University; Dalian Fisheries University), and geneticists (Life Sciences College, Nankai University, Tianjin; Tianjin Agriculture University).

Further study of Artemia in China should focus on the following axes of research:  Characterization of inland Artemia strains, with focus on bisexual species and/or from extreme habitats (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Inner Mongolia) (cooperation with ARC, CLO-DVZ, AUTH, UU): patterns of coexistence, adaptation to ecological conditions (e.g. by study of dominant heat shock proteins), HUFA metabolism and other aquaculture related characteristics  Artemia resources of coastal areas in China, with focus on Bohai Bay area (cooperation with ARC, CTU, UU): contamination of local populations by invasive A. franciscana; dispersal patterns, potential production and aquaculture applications.  Genetic database for authentication of Artemia samples (with ARC, CLO-DVZ, AUTH)  Further updating and upgrading of cyst bank of Chinese cyst sources.

3.4.2. Threats for local populations by introduction of foreign species

The first inoculation in 1977 in the Macau saltworks, Natal, northeastern Brazil, with nauplii hatched out of San Francisco Bay cysts, was extremely successful, and brine shrimp soon spread out over 3000 ha of nearby saltworks. As a result of the introduction of A. franciscana in solar saltworks for improved salt production and/or for harvesting cysts and biomass for use in the aquaculture industry, seasonal A. franciscana farming is practised in many tropical and subtropical countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka. However, due to the particular climatic conditions of these countries, the Artemia populations are not permanent and principally annual inoculations are required. Permanent populations of this species, however, have established themselves in climatic conditions allowing perennial brine shrimp occurrence, such as in Brazil, Australia, China, Egypt, Portugal, etc.

Initially, the process of Artemia inoculation was considered as unambiguously positive: salt lakes were considered as having little biogeographical variability and low biodiversity. Now it is widely recognized that salt lakes are unique and well-balanced ecosystems, and that there are differences in their fauna between continents and regions, and even locally, according to their salinity fluctuations, water permanence, seasonality etc. Many salt lakes are of intermediate or small size, and this very specific environment, including the food chain with Artemia and waterfowl, is very vulnerable for deterioration by human intervention. Threats to salt lakes are numerous, and mainly consist of desiccation by drainage or diversion of influents, or pollution. For coastal saltworks urbanization projects (industry, harbour infrastructure, tourism, expansion of residential areas), represent a supplementary threat, especially in industrialized or industrializing countries. If an original Artemia gene pool disappears, a basic potential of genetic improvement is destroyed as well.

What are the possible effects of Artemia introduction on other organisms inhabiting natural saltwater bodies? While this practice frequently ensures social and economic benefits, particularly in

11 developing countries, it also bears certain risks. An obvious effect is that competition with local (or nearby) strains or species of Artemia may occur which may lead to the extinction of some genotypes, or at worst, of one of both competitors. Competition experiments suggest that A. franciscana may outcompete other bisexual species and the parthenogenetic strains. The effect of one introduction will not remain local but may have consequences over large areas (cfr Brazil), following dispersion by wind and local waterbirds.

The resolution put forward at the 2nd International Symposium on Artemia, Antwerp, Belgium, in September 1985, therefore is still valid: “…the 2nd International Symposium resolves that all possible measures be taken to ensure that the genetic resources of natural Artemia populations are conserved; such measures include the establishment of gene banks (cysts), close monitoring of inoculation policies, and where possible the use of indigenous Artemia for inoculating Artemia-free waters’.

The INCO members recognize the possible threat to Artemia biodiversity by the uncontrolled spreading of invasive Artemia species. At present the geographical areas where this phenomenon has been observed are still confined, but it may be expected that the problem might increase at mid- and long-term, and that possibly invasion already has taken place in areas that have not been the subject of study yet. Presently only A. franciscana (mainly the San Francisco Bay strain) has been reported as allochthonous invasive species in certain areas of Europe and Asia: A. franciscana has been reported in salterns in Spain (near Portugese Algarve where the species has been deliberately introduced) and in southern France, often in the vicinity of aquaculture operations (CSIC). In Italy, in spite of high aquaculture activity, no report has been made of A. franciscana (La Sapienza), but the species has further been reported for the Bohai Bay area in China (SRI), certain areas in India (IART), in Kenya (RU) and an occasional observation for the surroundings of Lake Urmia (UU). Theoretically in future a similar threat may be posed by the San Francisco Bay strain in areas of North and South America where local A. franciscana strains occur, or by non-franciscana strains (e.g. parthenogenetic) known to be processed and used in aquaculture activities worldwide (be it more limited than A. franciscana).

Within this context, the study of invasive A. franciscana in the Mediterranean Basin can be considered as a case study, with different angles of approach realized by the INCO partners CSIC, AUTH, La Sapienza and INAT. A screening of available samples in the respective cyst banks and of possible newly sampled sites will reveal the extent of contamination of Mediterranean Artemia habitats, using different research tools: morphological characteristics, molecular (DNA) markers suitable for discriminating between A. franciscana and the local A. salina and parthenogenetic strains; active transport of Artemia cysts by waterfowl, through analysis of cysts obtained from faeces, culture experiments of joint Mediterranean and A. franciscana populations in order to assess competition patterns in function of environmental parameters. These results can be complemented with the results, obtained by the recent construction of an Artemia database of identifying RFLP patterns based on a mitochondrial rDNA fragment that has proved to be a quick and reliable molecular tool for the authentication of Artemia cysts samples. This technique, which allows discriminating between populations below the species level, may have high potential, especially as it is being worked out for working with single cysts or individuals. In cases of controversy (coexistence of species cq by invasion of allochthonous strains, or cases where uncertainty about the species status of the population exists) the technique might bring decisive evidence. The results may be complemented by information originating from other disciplines in a multidisciplinary cooperation with other institutes: e.g. the study of the behaviour of wading birds that frequent saline water bodies in Africa, focusing on migration patterns and their role in disperson of cysts, by e.g. capturing birds to investigate stomach contents and inspect feathers for cysts, and by using molecular marking techniques to identify Artemia populations, and to identify which natural populations of Artemia are more vulnerable to invasions by introduced Artemia species in Africa.

3.4.3. Initial evaluation of scientists’ visits

As the number of scientists’ visits being realized was limited at the time of the 1 st Regional Workshop, few conclusions could be drawn (see 4).

12 4. Work Packages 5, 6 and 7 Training Labs I, II & III

4.1. Planning

In accordance with the Project Proposal, the training programme, an essential part to reach the Project’s objectives, was discussed at the Ghent Workshop. It was agreed among CM, conform to the recommendations of the Commission evaluating the Project Proposal, that the training programme should be tailored according to the needs of both the ‘trainees’ and the hosting institutes. Moreover, CM agreed that the stays of the visiting scientists should not be restricted to trainings in se, but should focus on concrete points of collaborative research for the benefit of both host and trainee, and should maximally result in such concrete output like joint publications. As practical arrangements still needed to be made between the various CM, the number of training visits in the first project period was still limited.

4.2. Overview of study visits within 1st year project period see Table. For detailed information about scientific results of study visits, see Individual Partner Reports.

13 Overview of study visits

Host Name visiting Period of stay Affiliation of visiting Terms of reference of visit scientist scientist 1. ARC/CLO-DVZ Patricia Beristain April 5-July 1, 2002 ULL (INCO partner 14)  Genetic characterization of Chilean Artemia strains in comparison with A. franciscana and A. persimilis, based on the PCR-RFLP fingerprinting technique, considering a 1500 bp-mitochondrial rDNA fragment and 8 restriction enzymes;  assessment of interindividual and interpopulation variation patterns in the species A. franciscana;  assessment of effect of particular environments on Artemia gene pools;  monitor geographic distribution of A. persimilis and its genetic consequences 2. AUTH Julio Crespo May 11-July 17, 2002 ULL (INCO partner 14)  Training on techniques based on DNA extraction, amplification by PCR, electrophoresis in agarose and polyacrylamide gels etc., using A. franciscana and A. persimilis specimens;  training and standardisation on mtDNA RFLP technique using Chilean populations and reference samples;  assessment of genetic divergence and phylogenetic relationships among Chilean populations and reference samples

Horst Kaiser May 28-July 8, 2002 RU (INCO partner 9)  Training on techniques based on DNA extraction, amplification by PCR of a 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA region, electrophoresis in agarose and polyacrylamide gels, mtDNA RFLP technique of this segment using various restriction enzymes;  Use of this RFLP technique to compare mtDNA of the Artemia population from Coega, South Africa, with parthenogenetic populations from African (Namibia, Madagascar) and Greece

14 5. Terms of reference Past, ongoing and future concerted consortium activities

5.1. Database of Artemia sites

Past & Ongoing activities:  Compilation of ecological and geographical data on Artemia habitats; updating of list of sites with Artemia occurrence in member countries

Future activities:  Further compilation of ecological and geographical data on Artemia habitats  Expansion of data on Artemia habitats to non-member countries  Introduction of data into adequate software programme

5.2. Cyst bank

Past & Ongoing activities:  Updating and expansion of cyst banks managed by INCO members  Integration of member cyst banks into central database; standardization of data accompanying cyst samples

Future activities:  Continued updating and expansion of cyst banks, with special focus on regional cooperation areas (e.g. Mediterranean basin, South America)

5.3. Study of regional biodiversity topics

5.3.1. Africa

Past & Ongoing activities:  Study of Artemia distribution in Africa: literature review; updating of list of Artemia populations  Identification of possible vectors involved in Artemia dispersion; collaboration with ornithologists in order to study dispersion by birds  Determine potential Artemia biotopes in South Africa (salt lakes and salt pans)  Preliminary genetic analysis of African Artemia populations

Future activities:  Further identification of potential Artemia habitats: compilation of list of saline waters in Africa  (Continued) sampling and data collection of identified sites  Collaborative study of behaviour of wading birds frequenting saline water bodies: migration patterns, investigation of stomach contents; inspection of feathers for cysts and using molecular marking techniques to identify Artemia populations (cooperation with aquatic biologists, molecular geneticists and ornithologists)

15 5.3.2. China

Past & Ongoing activities:  Characterisation of Artemia strains from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau  Artemia resources of Bohai Bay: strain characterisation, estimated resources and production potential  Enrichment strategy for Chinese Artemia (A. sinica and A. tibetiana) in framework of application of fish species relevant for Chinese aquaculture  Genetic fingerprinting of Artemia strains from China (A. sinica, A. tibetiana, parthenogenetic populations)

Future activities:  Further characterization of inland Artemia strains, with focus on bisexual species and strains from extreme habitats (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Inner Mongolia): patterns of coexistence, adaptation to ecological conditions (e.g. by study of dominant heat shock proteins), HUFA metabolism and other aquaculture related characteristics  Artemia resources of coastal areas in China, with focus on Bohai Bay area : contamination of local populations by invasive A. franciscana; dispersal patterns, potential production and aquaculture applications.  Further development of genetic database for authentication of Artemia samples

5.3.3.Iran

Past & Ongoing activities:  Distribution of Artemia populations in Iran: survey of biotopes, field observations, identification of reproduction mode, ecological characteristics of biotopes  Biology of A. urmiana and parthenogenetic populations: morphometrics, life cycle and reproductive characteristics in function of ecological characteristics of biotopes and partial co-occurrence of species  Status of Urmia Lake and A. urmiana in function of recent ecological fluctuations; population dynamics and resource assessment  Culture of A. urmiana in pilot Artemia ponds  Expansion of cyst bank of Iranian Artemia  Use of Artemia in fish (sturgeon, trout) and shrimp (Penaeus indicus) larviculture  Ecotoxicological studies: effect of pesticides (carbamates, organophosphorous compounds, Pb…) on Artemia survival and growth  Genetic analysis of A. urmiana and parthenogenetic Iranian Artemia

Future activities:  Further study of (partial) coexistence of A. urmiana and parthenogenetic Artemia strains; generation of more samples  Further ecological study of Lake Urmia area in function of co-occurrence of Artemia strains

5.3.4. Mediterranean area

Past & Ongoing activities:  Updating and integration of cyst banks of Mediterranean partners  Assessment of contamination of Mediterranean cyst bank samples by A. franciscana: culture tests, morphological SEM studies in search of characters enabling species separation and intraspecific comparison; effect of environmental conditions (salinity)  Study of dispersion of Artemia cysts by water birds in southern Spain  Updating of information on A. salina resources in Italy  Field sampling in Tunisia; characterisation of Tunisian Artemia

16  Study of Mediterranean populations using discrimant analysis of morphometric characteristics  Study of Egyptian strains: effect of salinity and temperature on reproductive and life span characteristics, survival, growth, morphometry, crossbreeding, effect of cadmium

Future activities:  Study of taxonomy of Mediterranean Artemia populations through male penis morphology and mtDNA RFLP analyses  Mass culture of authochthonous Artemia populations contaminated with A. franciscana, in order to study competition phenomena mediated by environmental conditions  Further sampling of Artemia sites in Italy  Artemia sampling in Libya and Algeria, genetic and morphological study of North African strains

5.3.5.Central Asia

Past & Ongoing activities:  Identification and characterisation of selected Artemia sites in south Siberia and Central Asian republics: ecological characteristics/population dynamics; genetic characterisation; life history characteristics; characteristics relevant for use in aquaculture  Standardisation of methodologies in relation to the above listed studies

Future activities:  Further inventorization of Central Asian Artemia habitats  Further population assessment in Central Asian habitats  Genetic fingerprinting of Artemia strains, with focus on bisexual species from the area  Setting up of reference strains and samples for comparative studies

5.3.6.Latin America

Past & Ongoing activities:  Study of genetic relationship and variability between Artemia populations from southern South America by molecular markers, complementary to cytological, morphological and allozyme evidence  Study of distribution pattern of A. persimilis and A. franciscana in Argentina and Chile  Multidisciplinary characterization of Argentinian A. franciscana; reproductive characteristics of A. persimilis; morphological methods to discriminate between A. franciscana and A. persimilis; effects of salinity on life cycle and reproduction of both species  Study of hybridisation of A. persimilis and A. franciscana in laboratory experiments; competition experiments in outdoor cultures; cytogenetic identification/variability of A. persimilis and A. franciscana populations  Genetic fingerprinting of Mexican A. franciscana populations  Studies on Artemia reproductive biology, pond ecology and aquaculture techniques in coastal salt farms in NE Brazil; ecological threats to A. franciscana populations in coastal saltworks

Future activities:  Potential and realized distribution of A. persimilis in Chile and of A. franciscana in Argentina  Further study on probable hydridisation in nature between both species by laboratory cross- breeding tests and genetic research  Study of life span and reproductive characteristics for Argentinean Artemia populations (franciscana and persimilis) in order to study competition phenomena  Renewed sampling of Artemia habitats in Chile  Study of genetic variability of Mexican and Brazilian populations by RFLP analysis of mtDNA

17  Organization of 2nd Regional Workshop in Puerto Varas, Chile

5.3.7.South Asia

Past & Ongoing activities:  Artemia resources from India, with focus on South India: survey of biotopes and characterization of local Artemia strains  Further development and practical organization of South Asian Center for Artemia Research  Study of adaptation of inoculated A. franciscana to local habitat by analysis of reproductive characteristics

Future activities:  Ecological study and molecular characterization of parthenogenetic populations in South India  Study of mixed populations in India: local parthenogenetic strains contaminated/outcompeted by A. franciscana: distribution and competition patterns  Study of thermotolerance of Vietnamese A. franciscana

5.3.8. Global biodiversity studies

Past & Ongoing activities:  Development of RFLP-based database allowing to authenticate Artemia strains at the subspecies level  Study of role of rare males in diploid parthenogenetic Artemia populations from the Old world  Use of morphometric parameters to discriminate between parthenogenetic and bisexual strains  Ecotoxicological characterization of Artemia populations in their response to cadmium toxicity  Study of management practices and their implications for sustainable exploitation of Artemia franciscana in saltworks, with focus on NE Brazil and Vietnam

Future activities:  Study of morphological characteristics to discriminate between bisexual species and to study rare males of parthenogenetic populations  Further determination of potential molecular markers for characterization of populations  Expansion of databse using mainly mtDNA analyses for identification of new Artemia strains or tracking down invasive species

5.4. Diapause and reproductive biology of Artemia

Past & Ongoing activities:  Study of environmental conditions (food, salinity, temperature) in oviparous or ovoviviparous reproduction

Future activities:  Study of level of stress proteins in adult Artemia related to environmental conditions and subsequent changes in reproduction mode: oviparity vs. ovoviviparity  Study of factors conditioning behaviour, diapause and hatching of wild and laboratory obtained cyst batches  Study of environmental and genetic factors on cyst production in pond environment  Phylogeographic study based on heat shock protein p26 and study of relationship between gene composition (HSP 26 genotype) and prevailing environmental conditions

18 6. Publications and papers

6.1. Publications in peer-reviewed journals

ABATZOPOULOS, T.J.; KAPPAS, I.; BOSSIER, P.; SORGELOOS, P.; BEARDMORE, J.A. –2002.Genetic characterization of Artemia tibetiana (Crustacea:Anostraca). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 75: 333- 344

BAERT, P.; NGUEYN THI NGOC ANH; BURCH, A.; SORGELOOS, P. 2002. The use of Artemia biomass sampling to predict cyst yields in culture ponds. Hydrobiologia, 477: 149-153

CAMARGO, W.N.; BOSSIER, P.; SORGELOOS, P. ; SUN, Y. 2002. Preliminary genetic data on some Caribbean Artemia franciscana strains based on RAPD’s. Hydrobiologia, 468:245-249

MOSCATELLO, S.; BELMONTE, G.; MURA, G. 2002. The co-occurrence of Artemia parthenogenetica and Branchinella spinosa (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) in a salt water pond of southeastern Italy. Hydrobiologia, 486:201-206.

PASTORINO, X.I.; MARSCHOFF, E.; COHEN, R.G. 2002. Reproductive and brood cycles of Artemia persimilis Piccinelli & Prosdocimi from Colorada Chica Lake (Province of La Pampa, República Argentina), under laboratory conditions. Hydrobiologia 486: 279-288.

SARABIA, R.; DEL RAMO, J.; VARÓ, I.; DIAZ-MAYANS, J.; TORREBLANCA, A. 2002. Comparing the acute response to cadmium toxicity of nauplii from different populations of Artemia. Environ. Toxicol. Chem., 21(2): 437-444.

VARÓ, I.; SERRANO, R.; PITARCH, E.; AMAT, F.; LÓPEZ, F.J.; NAVARRO, J.C. 2002. Bioaccumulation of chlorpyrifos through an experimental food chain. Study of protein HSP70 as biomarker of sublethal stress in fish. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 42: 229-235

VARÓ, I.; NAVARRO, J.C., AMAT, F.; GUILHERMINO, L. 2002. Characterization of cholinesterases and evaluation of the inhibitory potential of chlorpyrifos and dichlorvos in Artemia salina and Artemia parthenogenetica. Chemosphere 48 : 563-569

6.2. Chapters in books

DHONT, J.; SORGELOOS, P. 2002. Applications of Artemia: 251-277. In: Artemia: Basic and Applied Biology, Abatzopoulos T. J. et al. (eds), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands

GAJARDO, J.; ABATZOPOULOS, T.J.; KAPPAS, I.; BEARDMORE, J.A. 2002. Evolution and Speciation. 225-250. In: Artemia: Basic and Applied Biology, Abatzopoulos T. J. et al. (eds), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands

VAN STAPPEN, G. 2002. Zoogeography: 171-224. In: Artemia: Basic and Applied Biology. Abatzopoulos, T. J. et al. (eds). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands

6.3. Theses

CAMARGO, W. 2002. Characterization of Artemia populations from Colombia for use in aquaculture. PhD Thesis in Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.

MALPICA SANCHEZ, A. 2002. Estructura y Composición Química de los Quistes de Artemia franciscana de Diferentes Poblaciones Mexicanas. MSc Thesis. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana- Xochimilco, México. 52 pp.

19 NGUYEN VAN HOA, 2002. Seasonal farming of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana in artisanal salt ponds in Vietnam: effects of temperature and salinity. PhD Thesis in Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium, 184 pp.

WORKU JIMMA HORRA, 2002. Characterisation study of parthenogenetic and bisexual Artemia strains of the Lake Urmia area, Iran, in function of their possible niche partitioning. MSc Thesis in Aquaculture, Ghent University, Belgium, 64 pp.

6.4. Presentations in conferences

For presentations at Global Workshop, Ghent University, Belgium, February 5-7, 2002, and First Regional Workshop, Beijing, China, September 23-26, 2002: see 2 and 3.

Presentations at other conferences and meetings:

ABATZOPOULOS, T.J.; BAXEVANIS, T. The use of multidisciplinary approaches for characterizing and biomonitoring Artemia populations: uniformity of practices. Oral communication at NATO Advanced Research Workshop “Artemia Biodiversity in the Newly Independent States: Current Global Resources and their Sustainable Exploitation”, 7-19 July 2002, Moscow, Russia

ABATZOPOULOS, T.J.; TRIANTAPHYLLIDIS, G.V.; ROEDAKI, N.; BAXEVANIS, A.D.; TRIANTAFYLLIDIS, A.; SORGELOOS, P. Elevated salinity enhances the thermotolerance of hydrated Artemia cysts. (International Study on Artemia. LXV). 9th International Congress on the Zοοgeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR), Thessaloniki, May 2002

BERISTAIN, P.; GAJARDO, G.; BOSSIER, P.; SORGELOOS, P; SAGREDO, B. Caracterizazión preliminar molecular de poblaciones chilenas de Artemia (Preliminary molecular characterisation of Chilean Artemia strains. Annual meeting of the Chilean Society of Genetics, Antofagasta, Chile, 28-30 October 2002

BOSSIER, P.; WANG XIAOMEI; CATANIA, F.; DOOMS, F.; VAN STAPPEN, G.; SORGELOOS, P. A rDNA-RFLP database for identifying commercial Artemia samples. Oral communication at NATO Advanced Research Workshop “Artemia Biodiversity in the Newly Independent States: Current Global Resources and their Sustainable Exploitation”, 7-19 July 2002, Moscow, Russia

CASTRO, M.G.; DE LARA, A.R.; CASTRO, M.J.; MALPICA, S.A; CASTRO, B.T. Artemia, un organismo planctónico utilizado como agente bioencapsulante de pefloxacino para el tratamiento de infecciones por Pseudomona aeruginosa”. 12ª Reunión Nacional de la Sociedad Mexicana de Planctonología y 5ª Internacional Meeting of the Mexican Society of Planktology; Jalapa, Veracruz, México. 6-9 May, 2002.

CASTRO, T.; MALPICA, A.; SANDOVAL, H.; CASTRO, J.; CASTRO, G.; DE LARA, R. Composición del contenido de ácidos grasos en tres poblaciones mexicanas de Artemia franciscana (Kellog, 1906) de aguas epicontinentales. Aquamar Internacional. 6th Latin American Conference and Exposition, Cancún, Quintana Roo, México, 3-6 September 2002.

CASTRO, T.; CASTRO, J.; MIRAMONTES, B.; CASTRO, J. Concentración de Fe, Cu, Mn y Zn en nauplios de Artemia franciscana de México y su relación con los requerimientos del bagre, trucha y de camarones peneidos. Aquamar Internacional. 6th Latin American Conference and Exposition, Cancún, Quintana Roo, México, 3-6 September 2002.

CASTRO, B.T. ; CASTRO, M.J. ; CASTRO, M.G. ; MALPICA, S.A. ; DE LARA, A.R. Manejo del Recurso Artemia para la Acuicultura” Primer Congreso Internacional “Ecología y Procesos Productivos”. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, México, D.F., 10-11 October 2002.

COSTA JÚNIOR, M. A. F.; CAMARA, M.R.; REIS, L.G.; OLIVEIRA, C.P.R. Maricultura e extrativismo de Artemia (Crustacea; Anostraca) na região de Grossos, Rio Grande do Norte: uma análise comparativa. In: XIII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, XIII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, Natal, 2002, vol. 1, Natal: UFRN, Brazil

20 CRESPO, J.E.; GAJARDO, G.; ABATZOPOULOS, T.; TRIANTAFILLIDIS, A. Artemia en Chile: Caracterizazión genética del DNA mitocondrial por PCR-RFLP (Artemia in Chile: Genetic characterisation of mitochondrial DNA by PCR-RFLP). Annual meeting of the Chilean Society of Genetics, Antofagasta, Chile, 28-30 October 2002

LEAL, A. S. R.; CAMARA, M.R.; DE SIQUEIRA, W.P. Caracterização reprodutiva das populações de Artemia franciscana (Anostraca: Artemiidae) na região salineira do RN. I. Galinhos, Guamaré e Macau. In: XII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, XII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, Natal, 2002, vol. 1, Natal: UFRN, Brazil

LIPKO; P.; PAPESCHI, A.G.; COHEN, R.G. Análisis citogenético de tres nuevas poblaciones de A. franciscana (Crustacea, Branchiopoda: Anostraca) en las provincias argentinas de La Rioja, Córdoba y San Luis. XXXI Congreso Argentino de Genética, La Plata, 17-20 September, 2002

LIPKO; P.; PAPESCHI, A.G.; COHEN, R.G. Cytogenetic analysis of four argentine populations of Artemia (Crustacea, Branchiopoda: Anostraca). IV Jornadas de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología, Buenos Aires, 6 December, 2002

MALPICA, S.A.; CASTRO, B.T.; SANDOVAL, H.; CASTRO, M.J.; CASTRO, M.G.; DE LARA, A.R. Composición química de quistes y huevos descapsulados de seis poblaciones mexicanas de Artemia franciscana”. Aquamar Internacional. 6th Latin American Conference and Exposition, Cancún, Quintana Roo, México, 3-6 September 2002.

MALPICA, S. A. ; VALIENTE, M.E. ; CASTRO, B.T. ; DE LARA, A.R. ; CASTRO, M.J ; CASTRO, M.G. Estudio de la estructura externa de quistes y huevos descapsulados de seis poblaciones mexicanas de Artemia franciscana, con microscopio electrónico de barrido” 12ª Reunión Nacional de la Sociedad Mexicana de Planctonología y 5ª Internacional Meeting of the Mexican Society of Planktology, Jalapa, Veracruz, México. 6- 9 May, 2002

MARYAN, P. National Seminar on "Status of Artemia research in India", organized by IART, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, March 22- 23, 2002

OLIVEIRA, C. P. R.; CAMARA, M.R.; COSTA, M.A.F.; REIS, L.G. Utilização de Artemia franciscana (Crustacea, Anostraca) em bioensaios de monitoramento de qualidade ambiental aquática. In: XIII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, XIII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, Natal, 2002, vol. 1, Natal: UFRN, Brazil

REIS, L. G., CAMARA, MR.; OLIVEIRA, C.P.R.; COSTA, M.A.F. Avaliação da performance reprodutiva de Artemia franciscana (Crustacea, Anostraca) em sistema de cultivo multifásico. In: XIII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, XIII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, Natal, 2002, vol. 1, Natal, UFRN, Brazil

SIQUEIRA, W. P. DE;. CAMARA, M.R.; LEAL, A.S.R. Caracterização reprodutiva das populações de Artemia franciscana (Anostraca: Artemiidae) na região salineira do RN. II. Areia Branca e Grossos. In: XII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, XII Congresso de Iniciação Científica da UFRN, Natal, 2002, vol. 1, Natal: UFRN, Brazil

VAN STAPPEN, G.; SUI LIYING; WANG XIAOMEI; BOSSIER, P.; SORGELOOS, P. Status of research of Artemia populations from Tibet, PR China. Oral communication at NATO Advanced Research Workshop “Artemia Biodiversity in the Newly Independent States: Current Global Resources and their Sustainable Exploitation”, 7-19 July 2002, Moscow, Russia

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