The cumulative sequence of larval stages obtained
in the various temperature and salinity
combinations is presented in Fig. 1. It is clear that
for the tested ranges of temperature and salinity it
is the latter which mostly affects the survival of
the larval stages, especially at lower ranges. At the
lowest salinity tested (15 ‰) and at the lower and
higher temperature (15, 20 and 35 °C)
combinations, complete mortality for stage I was
obtained, with low survival for the next stages at
25 and 35 °C. At the lowest temperature (15 °C)
and higher salinities (35 and 45 ‰), there were
good survival rates for the zoeal stages, but no
larvae reached the megalopa stage. The
combinations which produced juvenile stages were
between 20 and 30 °C and between 25 and 45 ‰
salinity. Duration to megalopa was shorter at 30 °C
than at 20 and 25 °C, but survival rates were higher
at 20 and 25 ºC than at 30 °C.