ملخص
Abstract Due to scarcity of ecological studies concerning salt lakes and salt marshes in Libya, this study was carried on Abu-Kammash sebkha during winter and spring seasons of 2006 ; that have high density of Artemia. Cysts of Artemia were collected from the water and the edges of Abu-Kammash, and the external and internal diameters of cysts were measured, also the cysts hatching properties were estimated; nutrional value have been also conducted for cysts and larvae (instar I) and adults. The results show fluctuations in the measurements of the diameters of encapsulated and capsulated cysts. The diameters of encapsulated cysts were higher in spring than in winter and vice versa for capsulated cysts. The thickness of alveolar layer was double in spring (12.39%) than in winter (6.76%). The percentage of hatching was nearly the same during the first 24 hours, but different during the 48 and 72 hours of the experimental time. The percentage and efficiency of hatching were higher in spring than in winter. The study of nutrional value for Artemia individuals indicated that the percentage of protein was higher than any of the other contents (organic and inorganic), and the protein percentage of larvae was higher than the cysts and mature individuals of Artemia. The lipid content of Artemia( cysts, larvae, adults) was low. This problem can be avoided by using enrichment when Artemia used in aquaculture. The concentration of iron was higher than cupper which indicates that respiratory pigment of Artemia is hemoglobin rather than hemocyanin; where as the concentration of magnesium in adult Artemia was higher than in young stages; with due to environmental media.