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At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

USGS2003

Effects of disturbance on contribution of energy sources to growth of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in boreal streams

We used stable isotopes of carbon in a growth-dependent tissue-turnover model to quantify the relative contribution of autochthonous and terrestrial energy sources to juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in five small boreal streams tributary to the upper Yukon River. We used a tissue-turnover model because fish did not grow enough to come into isotopic equilibrium with their diet. In two streams, autochthonous energy sources contributed 23 and 41% to the growth of juvenile salmon. In the other three, fish growth was largely due to terrestrial (i.e., allochthonous) energy sources. This low contribution of autochthonous energy appeared to be related to stream-specific disturbances: a recent forest fire impacted two of the streams and the third was affected by a large midsummer spate during the study. These disturbances reduced the relative abundance of herbivorous macroinvertebrates, the contribution of autochthonous material to other invertebrates, and ultimately, the energy flow between stream algae and fish. Our findings suggest that disturbances to streams can be an important mechanism affecting transfer of primary energy sources to higher trophic levels.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

USGS2004

Long-term consequences of variation in timing and manner of fry introduction on juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) growth, survival, and life-history expression

We tested the influence of introduction time and the manner of introduction on growth, survival, and life-history expression of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Introduction treatments included three fry stocking times and stream rearing of embryos. Despite poor growth conditions during the early stocking period, early-stocked fish were larger throughout the entire study period, likely the result of prior residence advantage. This interpretation was reinforced by the laboratory study, where early-stocked fish outgrew late-stocked fish when reared together, but not when they were reared separately. In contrast to growth, abundance of stocked fish was greatest for fish stocked during the middle period, and this stocking group produced the greatest number of smolts. Despite smaller size, survival of stream-incubated fish was generally greater than survival of stocked fish. Introduction timing had a pronounced effect on smolt age but a weak effect on extent of parr maturation. Overall, these observations indicate that small differences (???2 weeks) in introduction time can have long-term effects on size, survival, and life-history expression. Results suggest stabilizing selection on introduction times, mediated by the interaction between prior residence (advantage to fish introduced earlier) and habitat suitability (advantage to fish introduced later). ?? 2004 NRC Canada.

Conference Paper↗

USGS2006

Interactions of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) with native and nonnative trout: Consequences for growth

We examined growth of native slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus), native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and nonnative brown trout (Salmo trutta) to investigate potential interactions of a native nongame fish with native and nonnative trout. Enclosures (1 m2) were stocked with five treatments (juvenile brown trout with sculpin, juvenile brook trout with sculpin, and single species controls) at three densities. Treatments (with replication) were placed in riffles in Valley Creek, Minnesota, and growth rates were measured for six experiments. We examined the difference in growth of each species in combined species treatments compared with each species alone. We did not find evidence of interactions between brook trout and sculpin, regardless of density or fish size. However, sculpin gained greater mass when alone than with brown trout when sculpin were >16 g. Likewise, brown trout grew more when alone than with sculpin when brown trout were >24 g. In contrast, brown trout ???5 g grew more with sculpin compared with treatments alone. We suggest that native brook trout and sculpin coexist without evidence of competition, whereas nonnative brown trout may compete with sculpin. ?? 2006 NRC.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

USGS2012

Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) runs and consumer fitness: growth and energy storage in stream-dwelling salmonids increase with salmon spawner density

We examined how marine-derived nutrients (MDN), in the form of spawning Pacific salmon, influenced the nutritional status and δ 15 N of stream-dwelling fishes. We sampled juvenile coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) and Dolly Varden ( Salvelinus malma ) during spring and fall from 11 south-central Alaskan streams that ranged widely in spawning salmon biomass (0.1–4.7 kg·m –2 ). Growth rate (as indexed by RNA–DNA ratios), energy density, and δ 15 N enrichment in spring-sampled fishes increased with spawner biomass, indicating the persistence of spawner effects more than 6 months after salmon spawning. Point estimates suggest that spawner effects on nutrition were substantially greater for coho salmon than Dolly Varden (268% and 175% greater for growth and energy, respectively), indicating that both species benefitted physiologically, but that juvenile coho salmon accrued more benefits than Dolly Varden. Although the data were less conclusive for fall- than spring-sampled fish, they do suggest spawner effects were also generally positive during fall, soon after salmon spawned. In a follow-up analysis where growth rate and energy density were modeled as a function of δ 15 N enrichment, results suggested that both increased with MDN assimilation, especially in juvenile coho salmon. Our results support the importance of salmon runs to the nutritional ecology of stream-dwelling fishes.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

USGS1977

Genetic differences in growth and survival of juvenile hatchery and wild steelhead trout, Salmo gairdneri

Relative growth and survival of offspring from matings of hatchery and wild Deschutes River (Oregon) summer steelhead trout, Salmo gairdneri , were measured to determine if hatchery fish differ genetically from wild fish in traits that can affect the stock–recruitment relationship of wild populations. Sections of four natural streams and a hatchery pond were each stocked with genetically marked (lactate dehydrogenase genotypes) eyed eggs or unfed swim-up fry from each of three matings: hatchery × hatchery (HH), hatchery × wild (HW), and wild × wild (WW). In streams, WW fish had the highest survival and HW fish the highest growth rates when significant differences were found; in the hatchery pond, HH fish had the highest survival and growth rates. The hatchery fish were genetically different from wild fish and when they interbreed with wild fish may reduce the number of smolts produced. Hatchery procedures can be modified to reduce the genetic differences between hatchery and wild fish.

Oregon↗

USGS2006

Factors affecting distribution of wood, detritus, and sediment in headwater streams draining managed young-growth red alder - Conifer forests in southeast Alaska

Factors (riparian stand condition, management regimes, and channel properties) affecting distributions of wood, detritus (leaves and branches), and sediment were examined in headwater streams draining young-growth red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) - conifer riparian forests (<40 years old) in southeast Alaska. More riparian red alder were found along streams affected by both timber harvesting and mass movement than in streams affected by timber harvesting alone. Young-growth stands produced little large wood material (diameter ???10 cm) and had little effect on altering the size distribution of functional large wood in channels, although more alder wood pieces were found in streams with greater numbers of riparian alder trees. Legacy wood pieces (>40 years old) remained in channels and provided sites for sediment and organic matter storage. Despite various alder-conifer mixtures and past harvesting effects, the abundance of large wood, fine wood, and detritus accumulations significantly decreased with increasing channel bank-full width (0.5-3.5 m) along relatively short channel distances (up to 700 m). Changes in wood, detritus, and sediment accumulations together with changes in riparian stand characteristics create spatial and temporal variability of in-channel conditions in headwater systems. A component of alder within young-growth riparian forests may benefit both wood production and biological recovery in disturbed headwater stream channels. ?? 2006 NRC.

Canadian Journal of Forest Research↗

USGS2011

Tree species and soil nutrient profiles in old-growth forests of the Oregon Coast Range

Old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest provide a unique opportunity to examine tree species – soil relationships in ecosystems that have developed without significant human disturbance. We characterized foliage, forest floor, and mineral soil nutrients associated with four canopy tree species (Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco), western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), western redcedar ( Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don), and bigleaf maple ( Acer macrophyllum Pursh)) in eight old-growth forests of the Oregon Coast Range. The greatest forest floor accumulations of C, N, P, Ca, Mg, and K occurred under Douglas-fir, primarily due to greater forest floor mass. In mineral soil, western hemlock exhibited significantly lower Ca concentration and sum of cations (Ca + Mg + K) than bigleaf maple, with intermediate values for Douglas-fir and western redcedar. Bigleaf maple explained most species-based differences in foliar nutrients, displaying high concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg, and K. Foliar P and N:P variations largely reflected soil P variation across sites. The four tree species that we examined exhibited a number of individualistic effects on soil nutrient levels that contribute to biogeochemical heterogeneity in these ecosystems. Where fire suppression and long-term succession favor dominance by highly shade-tolerant western hemlock, our results suggest a potential for declines in both soil Ca availability and soil biogeochemical heterogeneity in old-growth forests.

Oregon↗

USGS2015

Hierarchical stochastic modeling of large river ecosystems and fish growth across spatio-temporal scales and climate models: the Missouri River endangered pallid sturgeon example

We present a hierarchical series of spatially decreasing and temporally increasing models to evaluate the uncertainty in the atmosphere – ocean global climate model (AOGCM) and the regional climate model (RCM) relative to the uncertainty in the somatic growth of the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). For effects on fish populations of riverine ecosystems, cli- mate output simulated by coarse-resolution AOGCMs and RCMs must be downscaled to basins to river hydrology to population response. One needs to transfer the information from these climate simulations down to the individual scale in a way that minimizes extrapolation and can account for spatio-temporal variability in the intervening stages. The goal is a framework to determine whether, given uncertainties in the climate models and the biological response, meaningful inference can still be made. The non-linear downscaling of climate information to the river scale requires that one realistically account for spatial and temporal variability across scale. Our down- scaling procedure includes the use of fixed/calibrated hydrological flow and temperature models coupled with a stochastically parameterized sturgeon bioenergetics model. We show that, although there is a large amount of uncertainty associated with both the climate model output and the fish growth process, one can establish significant differences in fish growth distributions between models, and between future and current climates for a given model.

Missouri River basin↗

USGS2019

A field evaluation of the growth and survival of age-0 Oncorhynchus mykiss tagged with 8-mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags

Background In fish tagging studies, tag size limits the size of fish that can be tagged, the fraction of a population that can be represented, and ultimately inferences that can be made about the study population, particularly when juvenile fish are the subject of interest. Introduction of an 8-mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) reduced the minimum taggable size of fish, but it has not been evaluated in field trials. We evaluated the growth and survival of age-0 Oncorhynchus mykiss tagged with 8-mm PIT tags in four streams in southwest Washington, USA. Results A total of 351 PIT tagged fish and 340 control fish (marked with pelvic fin clips) were released, but recapture rates were low, particularly for control fish. Growth in length and mass did not differ between small (42–54 mm) and large (55–64 mm) PIT tagged fish. There was a slightly positive, but weak, relation between tag burden and growth in mass; however, there was considerable variability in this relation ( R 2 = 0.115). Summer to autumn joint probability of fish surviving and remaining in the study area estimated with a Bayesian mark-recapture model ranged from 0.228 to 0.478 in study streams. We found no significant relation between tag burden and survival, suggesting neither tag burden nor fish size at tagging affected survival. Conclusions Although this study was limited in scope, it provided insight into how age-0 O. mykiss tagged with 8-mm PIT tags grew and survived under natural conditions. We showed that fish as small as 42 mm could be tagged without detrimental effects, which should allow researchers to represent a larger portion of study populations through PIT tagging.

Washington↗

USGS2021

Clutch may predict growth of hatchling Burmese pythons better than food availability or sex

Identifying which environmental and genetic factors affect growth pattern phenotypes can help biologists predict how organisms distribute finite energy resources in response to varying environmental conditions and physiological states. This information may be useful for monitoring and managing populations of cryptic, endangered, and invasive species. Consequently, we assessed the effects of food availability, clutch, and sex on the growth of invasive Burmese pythons ( Python bivittatus Kuhl) from the Greater Everglades Ecosystem in Florida, USA. Though little is known from the wild, Burmese pythons have been physiological model organisms for decades, with most experimental research sourcing individuals from the pet trade. Here, we used 60 hatchlings collected as eggs from the nests of two wild pythons, assigned them to High or Low feeding treatments, and monitored growth and meal consumption for 12 weeks, a period when pythons are thought to grow very rapidly. None of the 30 hatchlings that were offered food prior to their fourth week post-hatching consumed it, presumably because they were relying on internal yolk stores. Although only two clutches were used in the experiment, we found that nearly all phenotypic variation was explained by clutch rather than feeding treatment or sex. Hatchlings from clutch 1 (C1) grew faster and were longer, heavier, in better body condition, ate more frequently, and were bolder than hatchlings from clutch 2 (C2), regardless of food availability. On average, C1 and C2 hatchling snout-vent length (SVL) and weight grew 0.15 cm d −1 and 0.10 cm d −1 , and 0.20 g d −1 and 0.03 g d −1 , respectively. Additional research may be warranted to determine whether these effects remain with larger clutch sample sizes and to identify the underlying mechanisms and fitness implications of this variation to help inform risk assessments and management.

Biology Open↗

USGS2016

Differences in energy expenditures and growth dilution explain higher PCB concentrations in male summer flounder

Comparison of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations between the sexes of mature fish may reveal important behavioral and physiological differences between the sexes. We determined whole-fish PCB concentrations in 23 female summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus and 27 male summer flounder from New Jersey coastal waters. To investigate the potential for differences in diet or habitat utilization between the sexes, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios were also determined. In 5 of the 23 female summer flounder, PCB concentrations in the somatic tissue and ovaries were determined. In addition, we used bioenergetics modeling to assess the contribution of the growth dilution effect to the observed difference in PCB concentrations between the sexes. Whole-fish PCB concentrations for females and males averaged 87 and 124 ng/g, respectively; thus males were 43% higher in PCB concentration compared with females. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios did not significantly differ between the sexes, suggesting that diet composition and habitat utilization did not vary between the sexes. Based on PCB determinations in the somatic tissue and ovaries, we predicted that PCB concentration of females would increase by 0.6%, on average, immediately after spawning due to release of eggs. Thus, the change in PCB concentration due to release of eggs did not explain the higher PCB concentrations observed in males. Bioenergetics modeling results indicated that the growth dilution effect could account for males being 19% higher in PCB concentration compared with females. Thus, the bulk of the observed difference in PCB concentrations between the sexes was not explained by growth dilution. We concluded that a higher rate of energy expenditure in males, stemming from greater activity and a greater resting metabolic rate, was most likely the primary driver for the observed difference in PCB concentrations between the sexes.

New Jersey↗

USGS2019

Age and growth of stocked juvenile Shoal Bass in a tailwater: Environmental variation and accuracy of daily age estimates

Otolith microanalysis is often used to assess population age structure and growth of fishes during their early stages. Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae is a recently described species of conservation concern and little is known regarding factors affecting their recruitment. In 2004, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) and the US National Park Service (NPS) stocked Shoal Bass marked with oxytetracycline (OTC) in the Chattahoochee River near Atlanta, Georgia in an effort to restore this population, creating known-age fish to examine the effect of environment on daily age accuracy. We obtained samples of stocked juvenile (<150 mm) Shoal Bass from standard monitoring that occurred approximately 30–60 days after stocking in the Chattahoochee River to 1) validate daily rings for estimating age, hatch dates, and growth rates for stocked age-0 Shoal Bass, and 2) evaluate the effect of habitat (location) on age bias. Shoal Bass otoliths were examined for OTC marks and daily rings were counted in reference to OTC marks to assess age estimation accuracy. Age estimation accuracy ranged from -2 to -25 days and was influenced by the environment where Shoal Bass were captured, with greater inaccuracy in colder water temperatures. Fish collected from locations with colder temperatures displayed closer spacing of daily rings, potentially leading to greater underestimation of age. Growth rates of stocked Shoal Bass, corrected for age estimation error, ranged from 0.5 mm/day to 0.8 mm/day. This study demonstrates the effect of environmental variability on age inaccuracy and subsequent interpretation of results. Incorporating methods to assess age estimation accuracy is needed to understand interspecific differences in recruitment among black bass species in the variety of natural and human-modified environments they inhabit.

Georgia↗

USGS1990

Effect of body size on growth, survival and chemical composition of Atlantic salmon fed soy lecithin and choline

A nutritional study consisting of four feeding experiments was conducted in which Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) were first fed experimental diets at swim‐up (0. 18 g) and at weights of 1.0, 1.7, and 7.5 g. The objectives of the study were to (1) determine if the size at which Atlantic salmon are first fed lecithin affects their growth, survival, and body composition, and (2) compare the responses of Atlantic salmon to different sources of dietary lecithin. Fish fed 4% commercial food‐grade lecithin (i.e., 100% soy lecithin) or 8% feed‐grade lecithin (i.e., a corn–soy lecithin mixture containing over 50% corn lecithin and 5% insoluble impurities) from swim‐up grew faster than fish fed no lecithin but fed sufficient choline. Although fish fed supplemental lecithin from swim‐up grew equally well regardless of source and level of lecithin, they grew almost 50% faster than fish fed the basal diet with no supplemental lecithin or choline. Fish started on the experimental diets at 1.0 and 1.7 g grew faster when fed lecithin, but supplemental choline had no effect. Fish first fed lecithin at 7.5 g showed no growth advantage over fish fed the basal diet. Feeding 4% food‐grade or 8% feed‐grade lecithin enhanced survival when first fed to 0.18‐g fry, but had no effect when fed to larger fish. Feeding food‐grade lecithin (with or without choline) and choline without lecithin increased body fat in 0.18‐ and l.0‐g fish; 1.7‐g fish stored more fat when fed lecithin, but not when fed choline alone. As with growth and survival, there was no significant effect on body fat when supplemental lecithin or choline was fed to 7.5‐g fish. The body protein level decreased in the 0.18‐ and 1.0‐g Atlantic salmon fed lecithin or choline, but not in the 1.7‐ or 7.5‐g fish.

Progressive Fish-Culturist↗

USGS1993

Growth, survival and food conversion of Atlantic salmon reared at four different densities with common water quality

Our objective was to determine the maximum effective rearing density for Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) at 17.5°C, a temperature typically used in hatcheries to accelerate growth. We reared 5.8‐g (mean weight) parr for 80 d to final rearing densities of 14–55 kg/m 2 (rearing unit bottom area) or 80–310 kg/m 3 (rearing unit volume). Weight gain was slightly depressed in fish at a final rearing density of 26 kg/m 2 (146 kg/m 3 ), but mortality, food conversion, and gain in length were not affected. At densities greater than 26 kg/m 2 , fish growth was slower and food conversion was higher, but mortality was unaffected. Atlantic salmon may be reared at 17.5°C to densities of at least 14 kg/m 2 (80 kg/m 3 ) without adverse effects on growth and health, but final rearing densities should not exceed 26 kg/m 2 .

Progressive Fish-Culturist↗

USGS1941

Age, growth, and production of the yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), of Saginaw Bay

Ages were determined and individual growth histories computed from the examination and measurement of scales from 820 yellow perch collected in 1929 and 1930. Calculated lengths greater than 101 millimeters were computed on the assumption (supported by empirical data) that the ratio of body length to scale length is constant. Lengths below 101 millimeters were determined with the aid of an empirical curve of the body-scale relationship of small fish. Yellow perch of age-groups III and IV (in the fourth and fifth years of life) made up the bulk of the collection (78 per cent). Females grew slightly more rapidly than males, but members of both sexes attained the legal length of 8 1/2 inches during the fourth year of life, just as they were entering on the period of most rapid growth in weight. The greatest growth in weight of both sexes occurred in the sixth year of life. In the combined samples of the two years the females exceeded the males in abundance in the ratio, 296:100. The weight of the Saginaw Bay yellow perch was found to increase as the 3.117 power of the length. The relative length of the tail decreased with increase in the length of the fish. The Saginaw Bay yellow perch is now far less abundant than it was in the early years of the fishery. The average annual production of 548,000 pounds over the period, 1917-1938, was only 28 per cent of the earlier (1891-1916) "normal" annual production of 1,961,000 pounds. A detailed analysis of statistical data available for more recent years made possible a description of annual fluctuations in the abundance and production of yellow perch and in the intensity of the yellow perch fishery in Saginaw Bay over the period, 1929-1938.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

USGS1970

Body-scale relation and calculation of growth in fishes

Most calculations of fish growth from scale measurements are made from one of four types of curves: straight line through the origin (Dahl-Lea); straight line with intercept (Lee); logarithmic line (Monastyrsky); empirically derived curve (SegerstråYle). Occasionally, different curves are used for different length intervals of fish. Present understanding of the basic principles of research on the body-scale relation is good but certain problems still await clear solution. Nomographic devices for the calculation of growth appeared early. Many of these unnecessarily had a moving part. The simplest nomograph yet developed and one that can be adapted to any kind of body-scale relation was described by Carlander and Smith. Computers appear to be destined to replace nomographs in most large-scale research on growth.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

USGS1982

Survival, growth, and catchability of rainbow trout of four strains

Fingerling rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) of genetically different strains survived, grew, and were caught at different rates by anglers and in gill nets after release from a hatchery into a 1‐hectare pond. When two domestic strains were compared, more fish of the strain genetically selected for fast growth were caught per unit of angling effort than were fish of a strain not selected for this characteristic. When fish of a natural and domestic strain were released together, survival was higher in the natural strain, but growth was slower. Strain population estimates reflected differences in catchability and were erroneous for the strain selected for growth. These observations imply that rainbow trout of different strains vary in their suitability for different fishery management practices.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

USGS1985

Use of otoliths to determine age and growth of largemouth bass in Florida

The annual formation of otolith annuli was validated through age 5 for Florida largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus. Sectioned otoliths (sagittae) gave more reliable ages than whole otoliths. Beginning at age 2, at least one annulus was obscure in some whole‐otolith mounts, a problem that worsened with fish age. By age 5, over 20% of the whole otoliths gave under‐estimates of true age; otoliths producing these errors came from fish with slower than average growth rates. Sectioned otoliths gave poorer regressions (lower coefficients of determination) of otolith radius on body length than intact structures because the sectioning plane varied slightly among otoliths. Nevertheless, back calculations of fish size and growth from sectioned and correctly aged whole otoliths were equally accurate. Otolith sectioning is the procedure of choice for age‐and‐growth analysis of Florida largemouth bass. Whole otoliths, however, require much less time for analysis than sectioned ones and may be used for rapidly growing fish and fish known to be age 3 or younger.

Florida↗