Effect of temperature and salinity on low thermal tolerance of Penaeus semisulcatus (Decapoda : Penaeidae)

Abstract

Critical thermal minima (CTmin) and lower incipient lethal temperature (LILT) were determined for Penaeus semisulcatus juveniles at combinations of four acclimation temperatures (18, 22, 26 and 30 degrees C) and four salinity levels (20, 25, 30 and 35 ppt). While the CTmin and LILT of shrimps were not affected significantly by salinity (P > 0.05), a direct relationship was determined between the thermal minima values (CTmin, LILT) and the acclimation temperature (P < 0.05). The acclimation response ratio for the juveniles of P. semisulcatus had an interval of 0.18-0.32 in the current study.