Pelagic Food Chain Structure in Ontario Lakes: A Determinant of Mercury Levels in Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Cabana ◽  
Alain Tremblay ◽  
Jacob Kalff ◽  
Joseph B. Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Food Chain ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Chain Structure ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Species Introduction ◽  
Mysis Relicta ◽  
Recent Species ◽  
Glacial Relict

The trophic structure of pelagic communities in glaciated regions is highly variable due to restricted dispersal of glacial relict taxa and recent species introduction. Much of the between-lake variation in Hg in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) flesh from the St. Lawrence system (non-point-source contaminated lakes), which spans more than two orders of magnitude (0.03–3.96 μg/g), results from differences in the length of pelagic food chains. Hg levels from the longest food chains where pelagic forage fish and the crustacean Mysis relicta were present were about 3.6-fold higher than those from the shortest food chains where these last two trophic components were missing. A lack of correlation between Hg levels in small-mouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), which do not exploit the pelagic food chain, and the length of the pelagic food chain confirmed that the positive relationship observed in lake trout could not be attributed to the confounding effect of some physicochemical factors covarying with our pelagic food chain classification. Our results confirmed that the food chain biomagnification model developed by Rasmussen et al. (1990. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 47: 2030–2038) to predict PCB levels in lake trout can also be applied to Hg biomagnification.

Food Chain Structure in Ontario Lakes Determines PCB Levels in Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Other Pelagic Fish

1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 2030-2038 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Rasmussen ◽  
D. J. Rowan ◽  
D. R. S. Lean ◽  
J. H. Carey
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Level ◽  
Lipid Content ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
Organic Contaminants ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Chain Structure ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Species Introductions ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Glacial Relict

The trophic structure of pelagic communities in lakes of glaciated regions is highly variable due to restricted dispersal of glacial relict taxa and recent species introductions. Much of the enormous between-lake variability in PCB levels in lake trout flesh (15–10 000 ng/g) from the St. Lawrence system results from differences in the length of pelagic food chains. Ontario Ministry of the Environment data (1978–81) on PCB concentrations in lake trout flesh indicate that PCB concentrations increased with the length of the food chain and tissue lipid content, and decreased with distance north of urban-industrial centres. Each trophic level contributed about a 3.5-fold biomagnification factor to the PCB concentrations in the trout, and the lipid content of the trout flesh increased by a factor of 1.5 for each additional trophic level. An empirical model capable of predicting PCB levels in pelagic salmonids and forage fish (smelt and coregonids) indicated that biomagnification of small atmospheric inputs of persistent lipophilic contaminants can explain the frequent occurrence of high levels of contaminants in some biota from remote areas, and that species introductions that lengthen food chains will lead to significant increases in levels of atmospherically dispersed persistent organic contaminants in top predators.

Impacts of road access on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) populations: regional scale effects of overexploitation and the introduction of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Kaufman ◽  
Ed Snucins ◽  
John M. Gunn ◽  
Wayne Selinger
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Excessive Pressure ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Remote Lakes

In lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) lakes of northeastern Ontario, Canada, aerial surveys of fishing activity on individual lakes (N = 589) and quantitative gillnet surveys (N = 65) were used to assess the effects of road access on angling effort and the presence of introduced smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ). Angling effort, particularly during the open-water season, was highest and often exceeded estimated sustainable levels on lakes with good road access. Approximately 25% of the remote lakes also received excessive pressure during the winter season. Angler numerical responses to lake trout abundance were detected in remote lakes, but not in road-accessible lakes. Smallmouth bass were more prevalent in lakes with road access and human settlement (either cottages or lodges), supporting the theory that they were introduced into these lakes. Lake trout populations were depleted throughout much of the study range. Even without road access or smallmouth bass, lake trout abundance was still 47% lower than in unexploited reference lakes. When bass and (or) road access were present, lake trout abundance decreased by 77%. Remote lake trout populations in this area are clearly vulnerable to the negative impacts of improved access, a vector for both overexploitation and species introductions.

Estimated Impacts of SO2 Emissions from Sudbury Smelters on Ontario's Sportfish Populations

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (S1) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Matuszek ◽  
Donna L. Wales ◽  
John M. Gunn
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
So2 Emissions ◽  
Acidic Lakes ◽  
Local Impacts

Impacts of acidification on the major sportfish species in Ontario (lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), brook trout (S. fontinalis), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum)) were estimated from the results of extensive water quality surveys conducted during the period 1978–85. Local impacts, within the 17 000 km2 area most affected by emissions from Sudbury smelters, were also estimated and compared with the provincial values. The estimated numbers of acidic lakes in Ontario in which viable sportfish populations have disappeared were 119 lake trout lakes (5.1% of known lake trout lakes), 34 brook trout lakes (1.6%), 52 smallmouth bass lakes (2.2%), and 14 walleye lakes (0.3%). Most of these affected lakes were in the Sudbury zone, where fish populations, particularly those of lake trout, began declining more than 30 yr ago. The estimated numbers of critically acidic lakes in the Sudbury zone were 94 lake trout lakes, 14 brook trout lakes, 18 smallmouth bass lakes, and 7 walleye lakes. More recent sampling of a subset of Sudbury lakes indicated that substantial water quality improvements have occurred as a result of emission reductions from Sudbury smelters.

The transmission, life span, and population biology of Cystidicola cristivomeri White, 1941 (Nematoda: Habronematoidea) in char, Salvelinus spp.

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 498-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff A. Black ◽  
Murray W. Lankester
Keyword(s):  
Population Biology ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Mature Female ◽  
Arctic Char ◽  
Mysis Relicta ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Paratenic Hosts ◽  
Fish Hosts

The population biology of Cystidicola cristivomeri White, 1941 was investigated in lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, in three lakes in northwestern Ontario and in arctic char, S. alpinus, in Gaviafaeces Lake, Northwest Territories. Young lake trout fed selectively on large Mysis relicta, which were more frequently infected with C. cristivomeri (up to 5.1%) than small mysids. Pontoporeia affinis was not a suitable intermediate host in nature and there was no evidence that fish paratenic hosts were important in transmitting this nematode to lake trout.Most C. cristivomeri appear to live at least 10 years in naturally infected lake trout and arctic char. In these fishes the size of C. cristivomeri infrapopulations is determined by several factors. The feeding preferences of fish hosts and the availability of forage in individual lakes determine the extent and duration of feeding on M. relicta. Each naturally infected mysid contains only one third-stage C. cristivomeri larva. In the swim bladder of infected fishes, the proportion of female C. cristivomeri reaching sexual maturity and the length of females is inversely related to the total number of worms present. The length of mature female worms, in turn, is positively correlated with the rate at which they produce eggs. As a result, the egg output of C. cristivomeri at the infrapopulation level is density dependent.

Occurrence of the Acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus leidyi (Van Cleave, 1924) in Mysis relicta

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 460-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. B. Prychitko ◽  
R. W. Nero
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Mysis Relicta ◽  
Northwestern Ontario

Mysis relicta has been identified as an intermediate host of the acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus leidyi (Van Cleave, 1924) Golvan, 1969 in four of eight lakes examined in northwestern Ontario. Parasite prevalence in Mysis relicta ranged from less than 1 to 3.6%. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are a common definitive host.

Multiple Trophic Level Structuring in Salvelinus–Coregonus Assemblages in Boreal Forest Lakes

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1442-1455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward A. Trippel ◽  
F. William H. Beamish
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Zooplankton Community ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
High Conductivity ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Mysis Relicta ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Coregonus Artedi ◽  
Forest Lakes

Hypolimnetic trophic interactions were examined among lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), cisco (Coregonus artedi), zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates in six northwestern Ontario lakes varying sevenfold in conductivity. Faster growth and larger body size of lake trout in high-conductivity lakes were associated with larger meal sizes, earlier entry of cisco into their diet, and consumption of relatively few, large-bodied prey. Cisco preyed on zooplankton and macroinvertebrates. Cisco were abundant, large bodied, and fast growing in high-conductivity lakes. In one low-conductivity lake (Greenwich Lake), lake trout were 12 times as abundant as cisco whereas in all other lakes, lake trout to cisco ratios were ~ 1:1 or less regardless of conductivity. In Greenwich Lake, lake trout consumed large quantities of age-0 cisco and Mysis relicta, which was associated with "top-down" trophic structuring. Food web analyses strongly suggest that in Greenwich Lake the high abundance of piscivores resulted directly in a low abundance of planktivores and indirectly in a large-bodied zooplankton community and planktivores with rapid growth rates.

Evidence of successful river spawning by lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the Lower Niagara River, Lake Ontario

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Gatch ◽  
Dimitry Gorsky ◽  
Zy Biesinger ◽  
Eric Bruestle ◽  
Kelley Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Ontario ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Niagara River

An examination of the PCB: lipid relationship among individual fish

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1031-1038
Author(s):  
C A Stow ◽  
L J Jackson ◽  
J F Amrhein
Keyword(s):  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Strong Linear Correlation ◽  
Brown Trout Salmo Trutta ◽  
The Relationship

We examined data from 1984 to 1994 for five species of Lake Michigan salmonids to explore the relationship between total PCB concentration and percent lipid. When we compared mean species lipid and PCB values, we found a strong linear correlation. When we compared values among individuals, we found modest positive PCB:lipid associations in brown trout (Salmo trutta), chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) collected during spawning, but positive associations were not apparent among nonspawning individuals. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) exhibited no discernible PCB:lipid relationship. Our results are not incompatible with previous observations that contaminants are differentially partitioned into lipids within a fish, but these results do suggest that lipids are not a major factor influencing contaminant uptake.

Classification of Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Attack Marks on Great Lakes Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)

1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1989-2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Everett Louis King Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Oral Disc ◽  
Field Assessment ◽  
Sea Lampreys

Criteria for the classification of marks inflicted by sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) into nine categories were developed from laboratory studies in an attempt to refine the classification system used in field assessment work. These criteria were based on characteristics of the attachment site that could be identified under field conditions by unaided visual means and by touching the attachment site. Healing of these marks was somewhat variable and was influenced by the size of lamprey, duration of attachment, severity of the wound at lamprey detachment, season and water temperature, and by other less obvious factors. Even under laboratory conditions staging of some wounds was difficult, especially at low water temperatures. If these criteria are to be used effectively and with precision in the field, close examination of individual fish may be required. If the feeding and density of specific year-classes of sea lampreys are to be accurately assessed on an annual basis, close attention to the wound size (as it reflects the size of the lamprey's oral disc) and character of wounds on fish will be required as well as consideration of the season of the year in which they are observed.Key words: sea lamprey, attack marks, lake trout, Great Lakes

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document