Plasticity in maturity and fecundity of yellow perch, Percaflavescens (Mitchill): comparisons of stunted and normal-growing populations

Maturity, fecundity, and egg size of a stunted (mean length at age 5: 13.5 cm) and normal-growing (21.8 cm) population of yellow perch (Percaflavescens Mitchill) were studied in central Alberta, Canada. Stunted perch matured at a younger age and at a much smaller size than normal perch. Minimum size...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annales zoologici fennici 1996-01, Vol.33 (3/4), p.403-415
Main Author: Jansen, Wolfgang A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal age determination
Connective tissues
Eggs
Fecundity
Female animals
Freshwater fishes
Gonads
Lakes
Male animals
Population dynamics
Population size
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Summary:Maturity, fecundity, and egg size of a stunted (mean length at age 5: 13.5 cm) and normal-growing (21.8 cm) population of yellow perch (Percaflavescens Mitchill) were studied in central Alberta, Canada. Stunted perch matured at a younger age and at a much smaller size than normal perch. Minimum size at initial maturation in stunted females was the smallest recorded in the literature for either perch (Perca) species. Relative fecundity, the slope of the fecundity-weight regression, and the gonado-somatic index were significantly higher in stunted perch. Mean dry weight of eggs, percentage connective tissue, gonad energy content, and gonad weight specific fecundity were similar for perch from both populations. Reproductive parameters of stunted perch are discussed in the context of life-history theory.
ISSN:0003-455X
1797-2450