scholarly journals Critical Swimming Speeds of Yellow Perch Perca Flavescens: Comparison of Populations from a Naturally Acidic Lake and a Circumneutral Lake in Acid and Neutral Water

1989 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 239-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAY A. NELSON

The objectives of this study were to determine if environmental acidity reduces swimming performance in the acid-tolerant yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and to use swimming performance as an indicator of fitness in testing whether fish from naturally acidic environments perform better in acidic water. Perch from a naturally acidic lake (pH4.4) or a nearby circumneutral lake were swum after either 5–7 months of laboratory acclimation to simulated soft, natural waters or after more than 2 years of acclimation to hard, circumneutral water. The performance test was a critical swimming speed (Ucrit) determination, with 5 cms−1 velocity increments at 30min intervals. Low environmental pH (4.0) produced significant decreases in average swimming performance in each of three experimental series. Acid decreased performance in most but not all fish. The two perch populations had similar mean Ucrit values when swimming in acid water. Pre-acclimation to hard water significantly increased swimming performance. Gravid females acclimated to acid water had very low critical swimming speeds in acid water, whereas Ucrit, changed little in acid water when oogenesis occurred in neutral water.

1988 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1699-1704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay A. Nelson ◽  
John J. Magnuson ◽  
Weerewan Chulakasem

Whether chronic exposure to environmental acidity reduces oxygen loading in fish is still uncertain. We evaluated this question by looking for evidence of adaptations to hypoxia in a population of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) isolated in a well-oxygenated, naturally acidic lake. Perch were sampled directly from this naturally acidic lake (pH 4.5) and two circumneutral lakes, one of which experiences low oxygen. Fish were bled rapidly via cardiac puncture. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte number were determined by standard methods. Hemoglobin concentrations were highest in perch from the acid lake (6.4 g/dL) intermediate in the neutral lake with anoxic zones (5.7 g/dL) and lowest in the well-oxygenated neutral lake (4.8 g/dL). Increased hemoglobin per red cell accounted for this trend. Slightly larger hematocrits in acid lake perch (41.2 versus 36.2) were achieved through small increases in red cell number and volume. Evidence suggests that these results are part of an adaptational response different from the hematological responses of fish to acute acid exposure.


2002 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 1296-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W Rajotte ◽  
Patrice Couture

In this study, the general condition, swimming capacities, and tissue metabolic capacities and metal concentrations in wild yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were examined from a range of metal-contaminated lakes near Sudbury, Ontario. Fish exposed to elevated environmental cadmium and copper concentrations showed higher liver concentrations of these metals and lower condition indices. Because growth rate appeared lower in the most metal-contaminated fish, the high tissue activities of nucleoside diphosphate kinase, an indicator of biosynthesis, in these fish indicated an increased rate of protein turnover and suggested a bioenergetic cost of metal exposure. Yellow perch from the most metal-contaminated lakes exhibited lower aerobic capacities, as indicated by citrate synthase and β-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase activities, two mitochondrial enzymes involved in aerobic adenosine triphosphate production, and by critical swimming speed. There was no evidence from our data that environmental metal exposure affected anaerobic capacities of tissues as measured by lactate dehydrogenase activities or anaerobic fast-start swimming performance. Overall, these data show that metal exposure leads to measurable effects on metabolic capacities in wild yellow perch.


1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Gunn ◽  
J. G. Hamilton ◽  
G. M. Booth ◽  
C. D. Wren ◽  
G. L. Beggs ◽  
...  

Bowland Lake, an acidified lake (pH 4.8–5.2), was treated with calcite (CaCO3) in 1983. Neutralization allowed for successful reproduction by reintroduced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Mortality of lake trout embryos and juveniles in field toxicity tests decreased from 52–99% preneutralization to 0–30% postneutralization. The resident yellow perch (Perca flavescens) appeared unaffected by the chemical treatment. Both inter- and intra-specific competition were evident in the growth and body condition of perch and stocked lake trout in the years after neutralization. Springtime acid episodes continued to occur in the nearshore areas after the lake was neutralized, but no adverse effects on fish species were detected.


1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
John J. Peterka

Laboratory-based bioassays were conducted to determine concentrations of sodium-sulfate type salinities that limit the hatching success of several fish species. Survival to hatching (SH) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in sodium-sulfate type waters from Devils Lake, North Dakota, of ≥ 2400 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) than in fresh water of 200 mg/L. In waters of 200, 1150, 2400, 4250, and 6350 mg/L TDS, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) SH was 41, 38, 7, 1, and 0%; northern pike (Esox lucius) SH was 92, 68, 33, 2, and 0%; yellow perch (Perca flavescens) SH was 88, 70, 73, 0, and 0%; white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) SH was 87, 95, 66, 0, and 0%; common carp (Cyprinus carpio) SH was 71, 69, 49, 63, and 25%.


1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 2474-2482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay A. Nelson ◽  
John J. Magnuson

Little is known about the animals that occupy naturally acidic habitats. To better understand the physiological state of animals from temperate, naturally acidic systems, we compared metabolite stores and meristics of two yellow perch (Perca flavescens) populations in northern Wisconsin. One population originated from a naturally acidic, dystrophic lake (Acid-Lake-Perch, ALP) and had previously been shown to have enhanced tolerance to low pH. The second population came from two nearby interconnected circumneutral, mesotrophic lakes (Neutral-Lake-Perch, NLP). Perch were collected throughout the year to account for seasonal effects and to discern whether patterns of metabolite utilization differed between populations. ALP had smaller livers containing less glycogen and greater muscle glycogen content than NLP. The ALP also had significantly greater liver and visceral lipid contents, and females from this population committed a greater fraction of their body mass to egg production. We interpret these results as indicative of physiological divergence at the population level in yellow perch. These results are discussed as possible products of H+ -driven changes in metabolism and as possible products of different life history strategies between populations. Our results also show that perch living in acidic, dystrophic Wharton Lake are not acid stressed.


1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1774-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lloyd L. Smith Jr.

In an investigation of the commercial fishery of Red Lakes, Minnesota, for the 46-yr period 1930–75, catch statistics were analyzed, and the dynamics of the perch and walleye populations were examined. Mean annual yields of walleye for two statistical periods, 1930–53 and 1954–75, were 309,900 and 245,100 kg, respectively for walleyes, and 96,400 and 109,500 kg for perch. Annual abundance (CPE based on average catches per day per 5-net units of gill nets) varied from 3.8 to 64.6 kg for walleye, and from 2.5 to 34.4 kg for perch. Causes of fluctuations in harvestable stock were directly related to strength of year-classes and to growth rate during the season of capture. Year-class strength was not related to the abundance of parent stock or of potential predators. The respective strengths of year-classes of perch and walleye in the same year were positively correlated (r = 0.859, P < 0.01), and are directly related to climatic factors. Growth rate of walleye in different calendar years varied from +30.7 to −42.2% of mean growth, and that of perch from +13.4 to −8.6% (1941–56). Growing season began in mid-June and was almost over by September 1. Walleye yield could be enhanced by starting harvest July 1 instead of early June. Perch yield could be improved by harvesting small perch. Key words: Percidae, Perca, population dynamics, Stizostedion, long-term yield


1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 1903-1915 ◽  
Author(s):  
S A Thayer ◽  
R C Haas ◽  
R D Hunter ◽  
R H Kushler

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in enclosures located in an experimental pond adjacent to Lake St. Clair, Michigan, increased sedimentation rate but had relatively minor effects on percent organic matter and percent nitrogen content of sediment. In contrast, sediment from Lake St. Clair adjacent to zebra mussels was significantly higher in carbon than that 0.5 m away. Zebra mussels increase the nutritional value of surficial sediment and provide greater structural heterogeneity, which is probably more important in causing change among zoobenthos. Zoobenthos and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) diet were dominated by dipteran larvae and leeches. Zoobenthos was significantly different between enclosures with and without zebra mussels. Treatments with zebra mussels had significantly more oligochaetes and tended to have more crustaceans (isopods and amphipods). In June, yellow perch without zebra mussels consumed significantly more zooplankton, and those with mussels had more crustaceans in their diet. Zooplankton density was greater in treatments without zebra mussels. Yellow perch with zebra mussels grew significantly more than those without mussels. Zebra mussels in the enclosures neither reproduced nor were eaten by yellow perch; hence. the observed growth differences were due to indirect effects involving zebra mussel induced changes in benthic structure and biota.


1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3237-3240 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Cone ◽  
M. D. B. Burt

This study examines the behaviour of Urocleidus adspectus on the gills of yellow perch (Perca flavescens). The adult worm is found firmly attached to the gills of the host with the haptor fitted snugly into an interlamellar space and with four large hamuli and 14 small marginal hooks impaled into the adjacent epithelium. The forebody of the worm is almost always directed downstream toward the tip of the primary lamella. The worm is a tissue feeder and the reach and flexibility of the forebody allow efficient grazing around any one site of attachment. Worms can graze farther by moving to a new site of attachment. This involves a leechlike movement in which the haptor and the head are alternately used as the organ of attachment. The movement is brief (3 s or less) and, most likely in response to the threat of dislodgment, only single relocations are made at any one time. The worm almost always comes to lie in the preferred adhesive attitude no matter what the direction of travel under natural conditions. However, under experimental conditions in which there was no water flow, the position was occasionally reversed.


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