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Interspecific habitat associations of juvenile salmonids in Lake Ontario tributaries: implications for Atlantic salmon restoration
Author(s) -
Johnson J. H.,
Chalupnicki M. A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/jai.12456
Subject(s) - chinook wind , oncorhynchus , salmo , fishery , diel vertical migration , habitat , tributary , biology , interspecific competition , juvenile , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , geography , cartography
Summary Diel variation in habitat use of subyearling Chinook salmon ( O ncorhynchus tshawytscha ), subyearling coho salmon ( O . kisutch ), yearling steelhead ( O . mykiss ), and yearling Atlantic salmon ( S almo salar ) was examined during the spring in two tributaries of L ake O ntario. A total of 1318 habitat observations were made on juvenile salmonids including 367 on steelhead, 351 on Chinook salmon, 333 on Atlantic salmon, and 261 on coho salmon. Steelhead exhibited the most diel variation in habitat use and Chinook the least. Juvenile salmonids were generally associated with more cover and larger substrate during the day in both streams. Interspecific differences in habitat use in both streams occurred with Atlantic salmon (fast velocities) and coho salmon (pools) using the least similar habitat. Chinook salmon and Atlantic salmon used similar habitat in both streams. These findings should help guide future management actions specific to habitat protection and restoration of Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario tributaries.