Effects of salinity and temperature on the larval development of a sesarmid crab Neosarmatium trispinosum Davie (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from mangrove swamp in Okinawa Island, Japan

The larval development of the semiterrestrial sesarmid mangrove crab Neosarmarium trispinosum was studied under laboratory conditions at salinities 0-35%o and constant temperatures of 20-30°C. The larval development consists of five zoeal stages and a megalopa. Larvae survived to the first crab stage at salinities between 15 and 35%o with different percentages. At 0, 5 and 10%o, the larvae died within 12-18 hours without moulting to subsequent stages. The highest survival rate was recorded at 20-25%o and 25-30°C with shortest development duration to the first crab stage ranging from 24-28 days. At the highest salinity (35%o), survival rate was gradually decreased with increasing development duration. There were significant differences (Pswamp at the megalopa stage, where they spend the rest of their lives.

The potential of Nakivubo swamp (papyrus wetland) in maintaining water quality of inner Murchison bay - Lake Victoria

Nakivubo swamp (papyrus wetland) is located in the south east of the city of Kampala, Uganda. This swamp has been receiving waste water from Nakivubo channel for more than two decades. This investigation was aimed at monitoring the level of pollutants (nutrients and faecal coliforms) as the waste water filtrates through the swamp and the flow patterns of waste water through the swamp. From this preliminary investigation it was found out that the waste water is not evenly distributed over the swamp. Also high levels of pollutants seem to filtrate through the swamp and enter Inner Murchison Bay - Lake Victoria. Further research is under way to investigate in more detail the capacity of Nakivubo swamp to remove nutrients/pollutants from waste water flowing through it and the dominant mechanisms/processes involved.