Age at first reproduction is a key factor determining the population growth rate, and the rate
of colonisation of new environments with limited nutrient resources. Consequently, if
environmental preferences and nutritional factors don't interfere, New World bisexuals
generally outcompete parthenogenetic strains, the latter in their turn predominating over Old
World bisexuals. Inoculation experiments in natural habitats therefore require prior screening
of candidate strains and of eventual local populations, as well as the study of prevailing
environmental conditions. Uncontrolled introduction of Artemia may thus lead to a decrease
of natural variability. Therefore, before inoculation of Artemia in a habitat with a local strain is
undertaken, sufficient cyst material of the local population must be collected and stored in
order to safeguard its gene-pool.