MORPHOMETRIC, REPRODUCTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOMARKER ANALYSIS OF A CRUSTACEAN SPECIES ATYAEPHYRA DESMARESTI (MILLET, 1831) FROM NORTHEAST ALGERIA

Abstract

Comparative study was carried out on classical morphometric reproductive and biochemical parameters concerning populations of Atyephyra desmaresti sampled in northeast Algeria: the mouth of the Mafragh River with El Battah (site 1) is located in Annaba’s Gulf, and Oubeira (site 2) and Tonga (site 3). Lakes are located in El Kala National Park. Principal component analysis revealed a very significant correlation between the morphometric characteristics of A. desmaresti in each site. Growth process seems relatively similar in the analyzed population except some abnormal values measured on the rostrum of individuals from site 2. The morphometric analysis also revealed a weak sexual dimorphism and higher abundance of A. desmaresti at site 2. The reproductive parameters analysis exhibited the following decreasing order in fecundity: site 3> site 1> site 2. As for egg diameter and vitelline (Vn) contents, the following decreasing order was observed: site 2> site 3> site 1. Biochemical analyses revealed significant differences in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity; moreover, a significant induction of glutathion S-transferase (GST) activity and a high significant level of metallothioneins (MTs) were recorded in A. desmaresti. These differences are discussed according to the characteristics of the studied sites. Data obtained could be useful in improving our knowledge of the Algerian shrimps