Embryology and survival in Betta splendens in the absence of the male parent

• Grant number: 10/20918-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Iracy Lea Pecora
• Grantee: Érika Yumi Taniguchi
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the importance of caring for eggs by the male parent in the species Betta splendens during embryonic development and possible influence on the fingerlings. During the incubation of eggs, the parent often leaves to feed and become weak, therefore, more prone to opportunistic infections. From bubble nests maintained in the presence and absence of the parent, are periodically removed samples of eggs to be established for comparison of embryonic development and fertility rate (percentage). Also, be measured by survival rate (percentage) of individuals from eggs from pairs of Betta splendens in normal as well as eggs that have been in the absence of the parent. The offspring will be followed by 3 months of age in order to see whether the lack of care of the parent influences the maturation of individuals compared to the control, which had the normal development. With this data you can investigate the viability of eggs without the parent's care, helping to increase the scientific knowledge of ornamental aquaculture. Furthermore, no significant difference between the two systems of production, males may be removed from breeding tanks so that all eggs are inside the bubble, providing an alternative for large producers, which could reduce the interval between matings. (AU)