Isolated embryonic membranes (i.e. the outer cuticular membrane, the fibrous layer, the inner cuticular membrane and the hatching membrane) of a bisexual and two parthenogenetic strains from South India were examined using sodium dodecyl-sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Interpopulation comparison of the protein patterns revealed variations in the major polypeptides between the three populations. Repeated analyses of the embryonic membrane protein pattern of the same population resulted in the same banding pattern suggesting that the method is reproducible. These differences might be used as markers for identification of different Artemia strains.