Breeding patterns of kuruma prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) under artificial rearing

Abstract

The production of kuruma prawn seedlings uses mated females, but this requires breeding and raising virus-free seedlings to adults, as wild adult populations are not easily available for broodstock. Managing virus-free aquaculture and genetic diversity will require careful study of the breeding pattern, a task still incomplete. But detailed breeding behavior and breeding contributions in the kuruma prawn are still unclear. In this study, we focused on the exuviation interval of mating pairs, and reproductive ecology. Multiple males and females were reared in aquaria, and individual identification was via microsatellite DNA polymorphism analysis using the exuvia and, in males, the spermatophore and exuvia. Rearing tests conducted in four tanks revealed exuviation intervals from 20-40 days, with 57%-77% of females mated. Sexes did not differ in exuviation interval. Additionally, female exuviation interval was not affected by presence or absence of the spermatophore. It is clear this is a multiple mating pattern, with males and females mating with different individuals as well as the same individuals.