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Variability of Atlantic Coast Striped Bass Egg Characteristics
Author(s) -
Bergey Lauren L.,
Rulifson Roger A.,
Gallagher Margie L.,
Overton Anthony S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8675(2003)023<0558:voacsb>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - broodstock , hatchery , fishery , bass (fish) , estuary , population , environmental science , watershed , latitude , biology , aquaculture , geography , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , geodesy , machine learning , sociology , computer science
Eggs of striped bass Morone saxatilis were collected from broodfish at seven hatcheries and one wild population representing nine watersheds from Georgia to Canada to determine the relationship between watershed type and egg characteristics, including density, diameter, oil globule size, surface : volume ratio, and lipid content. These populations represented an inland freshwater lake (Lake Lanier), upland‐dominated (high‐physical‐energy) freshwater rivers (Dan and upper Roanoke (Staunton) rivers), estuarine‐influenced (low‐physical‐energy) coastal rivers (Savannah, Pamunkey, Choptank, and Nanticoke rivers), an upland tidal‐bore river (Shubenacadie River), and an upland tidal river (Miramichi River). Water quality parameters varied among hatchery locations. Water hardening of eggs occurred within 2.5 h of fertilization. Egg diameter and relative oil globule size did not differ significantly under ambient hatchery and controlled water quality conditions. However, eggs from different watersheds differed significantly in several aspects. Eggs from high‐physical‐energy watersheds were heavier and larger, and had smaller oil globule sizes, smaller surface : volume ratios, and larger amounts of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in both the neutral lipid and phospholipid fractions than eggs from slower‐moving watersheds. Egg characteristics did not vary with latitude. Differences in egg characteristics likely are the result of population adaptations to the watershed, but the manner in which these adaptations were produced was not determined. Our study provides evidence that striped bass stock restoration and enhancement programs should use native broodfish for hatchery production and should return progeny to the natal watershed.