In:
Canadian Journal of Zoology, Canadian Science Publishing, Vol. 72, No. 9 ( 1994-09-01), p. 1576-1582
Abstract:
A reported case of stunting was examined in a population of yellow perch, Perca flavescens, from a monospecific lake (Lac du Printemps) in Gatineau Park, Quebec. In total, 516 specimens were sampled in early October 1992. Females grew significantly faster than males, and also attained a greater length and age (241 mm, 10 years) than males (172 mm, 7 years). Compared with other populations in Quebec, the growth rate of this population was well below average; age-classes converged towards a similar size at earlier ages; the maximum age attained by males was less than average for the species, and males and females reached sexual maturity at an earlier age (0+ and 1+, respectively). These results are consistent with those found in stunted populations. Males aged 0+ had an average gonadosomatic index of 9.3%, which is one of the highest ever reported for this species. The index decreased gradually with age. Fish were absent from the stomach contents of 300 specimens examined. Owing to their large size, young-of-the-year yellow perch were not preyed upon by older perch at that time of year. The lack of availability of fish prey may contribute to the stunted state of this population. Other contributing factors are intraspecific competition and the absence of top predators in the population. A comparison of the population in 1981 and 1992 indicated that it has been stunted for at least a decade.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0008-4301
,
1480-3283
Language:
English
Publisher:
Canadian Science Publishing
Publication Date:
1994
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1490831-1
SSG:
12
