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Winter movement activity patterns of anadromous Arctic charr in two Labrador lakes
Author(s) -
Mulder Ingeborg M.,
Morris Corey J.,
Dempson J. Brian,
Fleming Ian A.,
Power Michael
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ecology of freshwater fish
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1600-0633
pISSN - 0906-6691
DOI - 10.1111/eff.12392
Subject(s) - fish migration , overwintering , arctic , salvelinus , spawn (biology) , ecology , fishery , biology , environmental science , fish <actinopterygii> , habitat , trout
Anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus , feed in the marine environment for several months during the summer and migrate back to fresh water in late summer to spawn and/or overwinter. While overwintering, anadromous Arctic charr are generally believed to reduce or cease feeding, and they are poorly described in their winter movement activity. This study used telemetry data collected from two locations to describe overwintering movement activity, including interindividual variation. Movement activity declined markedly during the ice‐covered period, suggesting opportunistic maintenance feeding was used as an energy conservation strategy. Fall and spring movement was correlated with daylight hours, and ice break‐up had a significant effect on the timing of outmigration. Movement activity was negatively correlated with body length, with smaller individuals being more active than larger fish. Although general activity patterns were evident, there were significant differences among individuals, particularly during spring immediately prior to lake departure. Lake size and individual differences in metabolic rate may account for some of this variation.