The possibilities for artificial incubation of white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes Lereboullet) eggs: comparison between maternal and artificial incubation

The development of artificial incubation techniques for freshwater crayfish eggs and the incorporation of these practices to the working scheme in production centres would have numerous advantages. This study evaluates the efficacy of one particular device, designed by this research group, for the artificial incubation of white-clawed crayfish ( Austropotamobius pallipes ) eggs. Comparisons between maternal and artificial incubation demonstrated the suitability of the tested system for artificial incubation for eggs of this species, during a period of 42% of the total duration of the embryonic development. Overall survival rate to juvenile stage 2 was significantly higher ( P