Early Development and Enzyme Activity in Japanese Freshwater Shrimp, Neocaridina denticulata sinensis (Kemp, 1918)

Abstract The present investigation was undertaken with the primary objective of critically evaluating the progression of early developmental stages and concurrent enzymatic activity in the Japanese freshwater shrimp, Neocaridina denticulata sinensis. The scope of the study encompassed a thorough examination of the growth patterns and respective enzyme activity of N. denticulata larvae at distinctive phases, specifically at 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after hatching (DAH). This research turned its focus toward three prominent enzymes: amylase, lipase, and protease, and their respective roles and activity levels in the course of the developmental process. Throughout the duration of the empirical experiment, there was a consistent trajectory of growth documented, devoid of any significant abnormalities that might otherwise mar the data. Consequently, this implies a strong adaptability of N. denticulata to the conditions imposed by the experimental setup. Drawing a comparison between the larval and adult stages, the study found noteworthy parallels in both physical attributes and histological characteristics. This fascinating discovery reveals a certain level of developmental uniformity across the lifespan of this species. Interestingly, the enzyme activity demonstrated a trend of increment with the progression of each growth stage. Among the enzymes studied, Protease registered the highest level of activity, emphasizing its potential crucial role in the development and growth of N. denticulata larvae. However, a certain anomaly was observed in the Lipase activity, which exhibited a dip at specific stages of the larval cycle, only to increase as the larvae aged. This intermittent pattern in lipase activity sparks interest and warrants further investigation to comprehend its implications fully. Overall, the N. denticulata demonstrated a robust growth pattern under the experimental conditions imposed, with enzyme activity showcasing a parallel increment in tandem with the age of the larvae. Despite the findings, the current study has opened doors for future explorations, particularly with a focus on enzyme activity associated with the digestive tract development in the early stages of the development of N. denticulata. This particular aspect remains largely uncharted and promises to significantly augment our understanding in this relatively less explored domain.