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Comparisons of Two Bluegill Populations by Means of the RNA‐DNA Ratio and Liver‐Somatic Index
Author(s) -
Bulow Frank J.,
Coburn C. B.,
Cobb Charles S.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1978)107<799:cotbpb>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - biology , rna , somatic cell , dna , lepomis macrochirus , gonad , fish <actinopterygii> , zoology , genetics , fishery , endocrinology , gene
Bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque) from two central Tennessee lakes revealed monthly and seasonal variations of liver RNA‐DNA ratios (liver RNA/DNA) and liver‐somatic indexes (LSIˈs) that were associated with gonad maturation, spawning, and temperature. Liver RNA/DNA indicated a longer summer growth depression in fish collected from the smaller, shallower lake. Although LSIˈs were consistently higher in the smaller, shallower lake, liver RNA/DNA and scale analyses showed faster growth rate in the larger, deeper lake. Thus the LSI may be a useful indicator of relative food intake‐energy storage levels within a single lake, but it does not necessarily reflect absolute growth rate of the fish. Liver RNA/DNA provided an indication of immediate or short‐term growth rates.