Namalycastis intensive culture is
still facing problems in mass production due to limited information on
reproduction especially in fertilization and production of larvae. The present
research was designated to find out optimum salinity for fertilisation and
production of Nypa palm worm larvae (Namalycastis rhodochorde). Gamete
samples were collected using a
capillary glass tube inserted
into ventro-lateral part of body segment of mature worm. Artificial
fertilization was done by mixing the sperms and oocytes in a fertilization dish
containing sterillized sea water as the medium. The larval development was
observed until benthic phase larvae (3-setigers). Fertilization was performed
in medium salinity of 7-21‰ and water temperature of 25-29°C. The cleavage and
larva stage occurred respectively within 28.20 to 58.67 minutes and within 72
to 80 hours after fertilization. The fertilization and larval development of N.
rhodochorde were highly influenced by the medium salinity and temperature.