Brine Shrimp Research Paper

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Brine Shrimp, also known as Artemia, are crustaceans that live in water with high saline content. Brine Shrimp inhabit many places and climates in the world in both the east and west hemispheres. Sizes vary based on gender and species. Generally length ranges from 8mm to 15mm, but on average Artemia are about 8mm to 10mm. Adults can also vary in colors including white, green, pink, and transparent (Encyclopedia of Life, 1976). Recently hatched brine shrimp are used for feeding other aquatic creatures. Brine Shrimp themselves survive on a diet of green algae, which they obtain by using their legs to separate the algae from the water. Brine shrimp have small heads, compact eyes, a slender thorax attached to it’s filtration limbs, which…show more content…
Firstly, the temperature must be around 30 degrees C. Secondly, they must be a sufficient supply of water. The amount of water needed relates to how many cysts are in the water. However, due to the small size of the cysts, the amount of water needed isn’t much. Thirdly, the salinity must not be too high (Encyclopedia of Life, 1976). All these conditions must be met otherwise the eggs will turn into cysts and develop a thick shell around them. This shell protects the cysts and keeps them safe from the current harsh conditions. The eggs stay dried until they are ready to hatch, which could be up to 50 years. To rehydrate the cysts they must be immersed in water for at least 36 hours to insure they stay hydrated (C. Drewes,…show more content…
The best time to buy Brine shrimp in stores is from May to July, but they can be hatched at any time of the year in a laboratory (Encyclopedia of Life, 1976). Another of Artemias’ uses is for science. Brine shrimp are used to facilitate toxicity tests and for educating students. Brine shrimp are preferred for these uses due to their quick reproduction and their easy to recreate habitat (Encyclopedia of Life, 1976). They are used for teaching students proper methods of observing organisms, how to create experiments for inquiring into behavioral aspects, methods of obtaining food, and preferred environmental conditions for reproduction and hatching (Hand, Steven C., and Erich Gnaiger, 1988). Brine shrimp have many fascinating qualities: their multiple ways of reproduction, summer and winter eggs, their ability to adapt to a variety of conditions, and many more. Those are all compelling qualities, but the most interesting function of brine shrimp is their ability to resurrect themselves. Brine shrimp embryos are able to go into a state of “playing dead”. This ability has left many scientists in awe and have made them question on of the founding principles of biology: that living organisms need to constantly use make and expend energy (Marchant,
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