scholarly journals Plenty of room at the bottom: niche variation and segregation in large-bodied benthivores of boreal lakes

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 1411-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.A. Johnston ◽  
A.D. Ehrman ◽  
G.L. Hamilton ◽  
B.K. Nugent ◽  
P.A. Cott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
Trophic Niche ◽  
Boreal Lakes ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Niche Variation ◽  
Trophic Niches ◽  
Benthivorous Fishes

Realized trophic niches of aquatic consumers are expected to reflect the particular abiotic and biotic conditions of the ecosystems they occupy. We examined patterns in the position, size, and shape of trophic niches of two common benthivorous fishes, white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), across boreal lakes using a stable isotope approach. In sympatry, white sucker niche positions reflected greater benthic reliance (higher δ13C) and lower trophic elevation (lower δ15N) compared with lake whitefish, and white sucker niche sizes (dispersion in δ13C–δ15N space) were also larger. Niche sizes of both species increased with maximum depth of lakes. Separation of trophic niche positions of the two species increased with increasing water clarity, but their niche sizes did not increase with increasing separation in their niche positions. White sucker occupied a niche position with slightly greater pelagic reliance and trophic elevation and had smaller trophic niches in the absence than in the presence of lake whitefish. Trophic niches of these benthivores appear to be shaped by both environmental factors and interspecific interactions.

Lack of specialization in trophic morphology between genetically differentiated dwarf and normal forms of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis Mitchill) in Lac de l'Est, Quebec

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 1989-1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Chouinard ◽  
Dany Pigeon ◽  
Louis Bernatchez
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Population Divergence ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Enzyme Loci ◽  
Trophic Niches

We recently observed a bimodal distribution in size of sexually maturing lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis Mitchill) in Lac de L'Est, Quebec. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that these two spawning size classes represent genetically distinct ecotypes, potentially adapted in morphology for occupying different trophic niches. This was accomplished by quantifying the extent of genetic (mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and enzyme loci) and morphological differences. Significant differences in haplotype and allele frequency distributions confirmed the hypothesis that whitefish maturing at small (dwarf) and normal sizes are structured into two distinct gene pools. However, low Fst values at mtDNA and enzyme loci, coupled with the apparent lack of spatial and temporal spawning segregation, suggest that reproductive isolation is incomplete and that gene flow is still occurring between the two forms. Patterns of mtDNA diversity favoured the origin of genetically distinct dwarf and normal-size lake whitefish forms in Lac de l'Est through sympatric divergence. However, a lack of differences in morphological traits potentially related to trophic ecology did not support the hypothesis that the two forms represent ecotypes which are morphologically specialized in trophic niches. This study established that sympatric dwarf and normal-size spawning groups of lake whitefish in Lac de l'Est represent two genetically distinct populations despite the potential for gene flow between them. This, coupled with their low level of morphological diversification, suggests that they represent an early stage of population divergence, and therefore makes them of particular interest for understanding the gene–environment processes involved in the early steps of speciation events.

Fish and ecosystem health as determined by parasite communities of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from Saskatchewan boreal lakes

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pietrock ◽  
Olesya Hursky
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Parasite Species ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Boreal Lakes ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Larval Trematode ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Parasite Communities ◽  
Gross Energy

In northern Canada, there is increasing concern about the potential negative impacts of industrial activities on wildlife and ecosystems. Therefore, a study was conducted on lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from Montreal and Reindeer lakes, Saskatchewan, to assess fish health and condition, and ecosystem integrity of these northern lakes. In Montreal Lake, all fish were infected by ≥2 parasite species. The most prevalent parasite at this site was the larval trematode Ichthyocotylurus erraticus, which was detected in all fish examined. All Reindeer Lake whitefish were shown to harbour ≥1 parasite species. The most prevalent parasite (found in 87.9% of fish) at this locality was the larval trematode Diplostomum sp. Macroscopically visible pathogenic changes were not noted. Gross energy values of whitefish were 4.40 ± 0.88 MJ/kg and 5.14 ± 1.14 MJ/kg for Montreal Lake and Reindeer Lake, respectively, indicating that fish have sufficient energy stores to withstand stressful conditions. The parasite communities were species-rich and diverse, with Shannon diversity indices of 2.12 (Montreal Lake) and 2.02 (Reindeer Lake). The ratios of allogenic/autogenic as well as planktonic/benthic parasite species did not indicate atypical environmental conditions. Together the findings suggest that in both lakes there is currently no significant anthropogenic impact on the whitefish populations and ecosystem health.

Development of the embryonic heat shock response and the impact of repeated thermal stress in early stage lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) embryos

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 294-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindy M. Whitehouse ◽  
Chance S. McDougall ◽  
Daniel I. Stefanovic ◽  
Douglas R. Boreham ◽  
Christopher M. Somers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Heat Shock Response ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Shock Response ◽  
The Impact

Fecundity Comparisons for Various Stocks of Lake Whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis

1975 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 404-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Healey ◽  
C. W. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Nonlinear Relationship ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Relative Fecundity ◽  
Great Slave Lake ◽  
The Relationship

We found no significant differences in slope or intercept for the regression of loge fecundity on loge fork length among samples of whitefish from four lakes near Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. The equation describing the relationship between fecundity and fork length for these populations was:[Formula: see text]Five other populations for which length–fecundity relationships could be calculated had length exponents ranging from 3.20 to 4.38, suggesting a nonlinear relationship between weight and fecundity. Six of the nine populations as well as four others for which limited data were available all had similar relative fecundities. Fish from Buck Lake in Alberta and from Lake Erie had high relative fecundities while fish from Great Slave Lake had low relative fecundity.

Occurrence of the eyefluke, Diplostomum (Diplostomum) baeri bucculentum Dubois et Rausch, 1948, in salmonid fishes of northern British Columbia

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilda Lei Ching
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Infected Fish ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Dolly Varden Salvelinus Malma ◽  
Prosopium Williamsoni

As a result of experimental infections in chicks, diplostomula found in the retina of chinook salmon from the Nechako River were identified as Diplostomum (Diplostomum) baeri bucculentum. Eyeflukes in other salmonids were considered to be the same species based on similar measurements and site in the eyes. These eyeflukes varied in prevalence and mean intensity in seven salmonid species surveyed in nine localities in 1979–1981. The following fish were sampled: rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), 505; mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), 334; lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), 32; Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), 66; lake trout (S. namaycush), 13; kokanee or sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), 323; and chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), 164. Eyeflukes had prevalences ranging from 84 to 100% in six lakes, 64% in the river, 53% in one reservoir site, and a prevalence of 15% in the other reservoir site. Mountain and lake whitefishes had high mean intensities while kokanee had low mean intensities. Correlation of increased intensity with increased fish size was significant for 6 of 27 samples. Four samples of lake whitefish, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout, and chinook salmon showed significant asymmetry when numbers of diplostomula were compared between eyes. More of the heavily infected fish showed asymmetry than did the lightly infected fish.

Phenotypic Variation in the Lake Whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, Induced by Introduction into a New Environment

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Loch
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Meristic Characters ◽  
Line Scale ◽  
Benthic Food ◽  
Glycerol 3 Phosphate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Gill Raker ◽  
Electrophoretic Phenotype

Adult lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from Clearwater Lake and second generation adults of offspring from Clearwater whitefish transplanted to Lyons Lake were compared with respect to morphometric and meristic characters and isozymes of L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). Feeding habits and abundance of pelagic and benthic foods were compared in the two lakes.Gill raker number, lateral line scale count, and interorbital width remained constant between parental and offspring populations. Gill raker length was the main character found to differ between the populations. This was found to be related to the percentage and type of benthic food eaten. Abrasion of the gill rakers is offered as an explanation for the differences in gill raker length. Differences were found in various other meristic and morphological characters, as well as in electrophoretic phenotype frequencies of isozymes of GPDH.

Changes in fish populations affected by the construction of the La Grande complex (Phase I), James Bay region, Quebec

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 1860-1877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude DesLandes ◽  
Sylvie Guénette ◽  
Yves Prairie ◽  
Réjean Fortin ◽  
Dominique Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Complex Phase ◽  
Coregonus Artedii ◽  
Secondary Productivity ◽  
Longnose Sucker ◽  
The Impact

Catches per unit of effort (CPUE) with experimental gill nets, recruitment, growth, and condition were monitored between 1977 and 1992 to evaluate the impact of impoundment on the main fish species of La Grande 2, Opinaca, and Caniapiscau reservoirs and the Boyd–Sakami diversion. CPUE and recruitment of northern pike (Esox lucius) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) increased markedly at most stations after impoundment and decreased at the end of the series. The lake whitefish and cisco (Coregonus artedii) showed their most striking rise in CPUE at two bay stations of La Grande 2 and Opinaca reservoirs. CPUE and recruitment of the longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) (Caniapiscau) showed a general decrease following impoundment. CPUE for the walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) also decreased at several stations; however, the two most southerly stations in La Grande 2 reservoir and the Boyd–Sakami station showed high CPUE during the series. Concentration–redistribution phenomena explain part of the observed variations in CPUE. Correlation analyses showed that walleyes and white suckers were attracted to the warmer, more turbid stations, and that the high primary and secondary productivity of bay stations attracted the coregonines. Growth and condition of the main species increased during variable time intervals after impoundment and decreased at the end of the series.

Lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) energy and nutrient partitioning in lakes Michigan, Erie and Superior

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly-Anne Fagan ◽  
Marten A. Koops ◽  
Michael T. Arts ◽  
Trent M. Sutton ◽  
Ronald E. Kinnunen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Nutrient Partitioning
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