Sinopsis sobre la biología del camarón del Norte

Abstract

The authors present a synthesis of the data known about the shrimp of the Northern rivers (Cryphiops caementarius Molina), the only representative of the Palaemonidae Family, which can be found in Chile. Its area of dispersion lies between the river Maipo, Chile, towards the south and the Peruvian spas of the central southern regions.

During the day, the shrimp stays in the deepest parts of the river, either among or under the stones, or it seeks hiding places among the aquatic plants. At dusk, the shrimp increases its activity, moving to shallow places in search of food. It is omnivorous and in a gastric analysis, different remains of Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Diatomeas, Gastropod, Molluscos, larvae, coleoptera, and copepodos Cyclopoidea have been found.

Some specimens controlled by the authors have reached a cephalothoracic length of 67 mm (Limarí River); the minimal size for females in spawning is 7.2 mm in the Estero El Culebrón, and 14.3 mm in the Limarí River; both sizes are bigger than the ones of the specimens observed in Perú.

The diameter of the eggs varies from 0.54 to 0.84 mm. The principal area of birth is generally placed next to the river’s mouth.

The period of spawning goes from September to May, with higher percentages in December, January, and February. There are some variations according to the hydrographic system that was analyzed.

The authors make a synthesis of the methods of catching, culture, and fishing control.

They also indicate the relation between size and weight, sexual dimorfism, and composition of the populations studied in the river Limarí and stream El Culebrón, in Chile.