The experiments carried out with S. lacustris showed that the temperature plays a role of importance in the rate of asexual reproduction, as for the number of zooids produced by individual, as well as to the size reached by them. On the other hand, it would regulate the rate of growth and the sexual reproduction, giving place to the maturity of the individuals when temperature increases. The life time of the immature individuals was estimated in 15 days, being this independent of the temperature used in the cultures. The mature individuals lived on the average 37 days. The survival in S. lacustris was falling gradually, following a curve of type lll. Life expectancy presented its major value at the age of 16 days and stayed approximately constant up to an age of 28 days, after then falled persistently until the last reached age. The individual growth according to von Bertalanffy equation, was estimated for the organisms maintained at 23 ± 2 °C and at 14 ± 1 °C. Those individuals cultivated at higher temperature attained a bigger size, although their rate of growth was smaller than those maintained at 14 °C.
cultures; asexual reproduction; Argentina
