Modelling the life-history variation of Arctic charr

Abstract –  A model based on proximate considerations of life histories of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar , was examined for its applicability to fit the variation in life-history of wild Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus , based on a qualitative assessment of information related to growth and lipid dynamics of Arctic charr. The original salmon model is discussed in context of modifications required to account for added complexities in the life history of Arctic charr in relation to anadromy versus residency. A study from North Norway shows that individual charr that emigrate from the lakes to the sea, maintain a high growth rate in the lake in late summer and early autumn compared with resident fish. Their relatively low lipid level in autumn combined with a high rate of change of lipid during winter was associated with postponement of maturation in the anadromous individuals. Individuals that remain resident in the lake arrested growth in autumn. Their high lipid level in autumn combined with a low rate of change of lipid during winter was associated with maturation the following summer, without emigration from freshwater. Results from this and other related studies show similarities with the model derived from lipid and growth dynamics of Atlantic salmon. The adjusted charr model illustrates possible proximate explanations for the high variation in life-history strategies of Arctic charr. However, the model does not account for the characteristic return migration of immature charr into freshwater several weeks after their entry to the sea. The proximate physiological stimulus for this movement of immature fish is not entirely clear.     

Patterns of phenotypic and genetic variability show hidden diversity in Scottish Arctic charr

Abstract –  This study examined the degree and pattern of variability in trophic morphology in Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus L. ) at three spatial scales: across 22 populations from Scotland and between and within two adjacent catchments (Laxford and Shin) in northern Scotland. In addition, the variability at six microsatellite loci between and within the Laxford and Shin systems was determined. Habitat use by charr differed significantly between populations. The pattern of variability in trophic morphology, known to influence foraging ability in charr, showed a very high degree of between-population variation with at least 52% of population pairs showing significant differences in head shape. Trophic morphology and genetic variation was also high over small geographical scales; variation being as high between charr from lakes within the same catchment, as between adjacent catchments. The pattern of both phenotypic and genotypic variation suggests a mosaic of variation across populations with geographically close populations often as distinct from each other as populations with much greater separation. Very low levels of effective migrants between populations, even within the same catchment, suggest that this variation is being maintained by very low straying rates between phenotypically and genetically distinct populations, even when there is no apparent barrier to movement. We conclude that the genetic and phenotypic integrity of charr populations across Scotland is high and that this adaptive radiation constitutes a 'hidden' element of diversity in northern freshwater systems. Two consequences of this are that the population (rather than the species) makes a more rational unit for the consideration of conservation strategies and that the habitat requirements and therefore management needs may differ significantly between populations.     

REVIEW Cultivation of Arctic charr: an update

There has been interest in farming Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, since the 1970s, but expansion of the industry has not been as rapid as originally predicted due to problems experienced with obtaining supplies of viable eggs and juveniles, variable growth and flesh pigmentation during grow-out, problems with year-round culture in sea water, early maturation, and problems related to the marketing of portion-size fish. Several of these problems are probably a manifestation of a mismatch between the environmental requirements of the fish and the rearing environment. For example, variable rates of broodstock maturation and poor survival of eggs are probably the result of holding broodstock charr at temperatures that are unsuitable for optimal reproduction. Poor and heterogeneous rates of growth during grow-out may be the result of rearing the fish at sub-optimal stocking densities. Further, variable fillet pigmentation may be a manifestation of variable growth rates, rather than being a true reflection of the ability of charr to deposit carotenoids in their flesh. Provided that the fish are held under conditions that promote good rates of growth, charr appear to be able to deposit adequate amounts of pigment in their flesh when fed diets that contain 50–70 mg pigment per kg diet. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Conservation and management of the Arctic charr: a forward view

Abstract –  In this study, we synthesised the views of 34 participants in a workshop to consider the status and future conservation and management of the Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus L.). These are expressed as a series of resolutions deriving from a conference on Arctic charr conservation held in Perth, Scotland in June 2004. Agreed resolutions from the conference were as follows. (i) The unique diversity of Arctic charr should be recognised for the contribution it makes to biodiversity of northern aquatic communities. (ii) The recognition by the public, nongovernmental organisations and national governments of the importance of Arctic charr in northern ecosystems is an important step to the management and protection that should be pursued. (iii) The taxonomic status of highly variable charr populations requires to be reviewed. (iv) There should be a separate system, complementary to the taxonomic one, which systematically catalogues the biological diversity of S. alpinus . (v) The Arctic charr provides a unique natural resource to study the process of evolution and this requires the highest level of protection from anthropogenic effects. (vi) The status of conservation policy for Arctic charr needs to be urgently reviewed to take account of its unique position in the fauna.     

Ecological and genetic differentiation among the Arctic charr of Lake Aigneau, Northern Québec

Abstract –  Two modal size groups of sexually mature Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus ) differing in shape and found at different depths in Lake Aigneau in the Canadian sub-Arctic are described and tested for genetic and ecological differentiation. Forms consisted of a small littoral resident, mean size 21.7 cm, and a large profundal resident, mean size 53.9 cm. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicated that seven of eight haplotypes were diagnostic for either the littoral or profundal fish, with 66.6% of the variation being found within form groupings. Pairwise tests of microsatellite data indicated significant differences in nine of 12 loci and a significant difference between the forms across all tested loci. Molecular variation was partitioned to 84.1% within and 15.9% between forms and suggestive of either restricted interbreeding over time or different allopatric origins. Stable isotope signatures were also significantly different, with the profundal fish having higher δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values than the littoral fish. Overlap and separation, respectively, in the range of form δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures indicated that carbon was obtained from similar sources, but that forms fed at different trophic levels. Littoral fish relied on aquatic insects, predominantly chironomids. Profundal fish were largely piscivorous, including cannibalism. Predominantly empty stomachs and low per cent nitrogen muscle-tissue composition among profundal fish further indicated that the feeding activity was limited to the winter when ice-cover increases the density of available prey at depth. Results provide evidence of significant differences between the modal groups, with origins in both genetics and ecology.     

黄鳝微卫星引物筛选及其在保护遗传学上的应用

研究了远缘种鲤的微卫星引物对黄鳝的适用性。结果显示,31对鲤微卫星引物中有11对引物能对黄鳝DNA模饭扩增出特异性带谱。每对引物扩增的等位基因数在3～13个,平均每个位点有5．6个等位基因,显示了较高的多态性。其中引物P1最理想,其PCR扩增产物能区分来自湖南、广东和孟加拉3个不同地域的黄鳝种群。应用微卫星技术对3个不同地域的黄鳝基因组DNA多态性分析结果显示,湖南、广东和孟加拉黄鳝群体内平均相似率依次为95．5％,95.8％和93．5％,平均变异度依次为0．045,0．042,0．063。群体间的相似率及变异度分析显示：湖南黄鳝和广东黄鳝群体间平均相似率为91．0％,变异度为0．045;湖南黄鳝和孟加拉黄鳝群体间平均相似率和变异度分别为55．7％和0．443;广东黄鳝和孟加拉黄鳝群体间平均相似率和变异度分别为58．6％和0．414。综合微卫星分析结果、黄鳝的外形特征及地理位置,可以推测,广东黄鳝与湖南黄鳝为同一个生物种的不同地理种群,而孟加拉黄鳝为同属中另一个种。     

Growth and diet of anadromous Arctic charr after their return to freshwater

Abstract – The post smolt of anadromous Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus ) from Lake Storvatn, northern Norway (70°39'48"), continued to feed and grow after their return to freshwater in late summer, but in late autumn (October) both their growth rate and feeding intensity ceased along with the drop in water temperature. In contrast, adult, sexually mature anadromous charr did not appear to feed during their freshwater residency. The stomach fullness of post smolts were similar to that of resident Arctic charr during early autumn, and their diets were similar, being dominated by pelagic prey such as surface insects, Holopedium sp., Bosmina sp. and chironomid pupae. Later in the autumn, the resident charr also included some more benthic prey, in particular gastropods, whereas the post smolts continued to feed predominantly on zooplankton and surface insects, but with a lower stomach fullness than the resident fish. This suggests that after arrival in freshwater, the post smolts continue their pelagic feeding behaviour displayed during the sea-migration.     

Feeding,growth and environmental requirements of Arctic charr: a review of aquaculture potential

Interest in the cultivation of Arctic charr arose during the 1970s, and research into charr farming was instigated in the Nordic countries and in Canada. Most work has been conducted on fish from anadromous populations, although land-locked freshwater populations of Arctic charr have also received attention. Research has also been carried out in the British Isles and in the alpine regions of central Europe, where land-locked populations of charr. Small-scale commercial farming is now carried out in several countries of northern Europe and North America, and charr are reared for restocking purposes in a number of countries.Growth of charr is rapid during the early freshwater rearing stages, and quite good rates of growth can be achieved at low water temperatures. Growth may be submaximal if charr are reared in systems designed for other salmonids, and problems may arise when charr are held at low stocking densities. Growth and food conversion can be improved by exposing the fish to water currents, forcing them to swim at moderate speeds. Growth in seawater has been reported as being highly variable, probably as a result of the use of inappropriate rearing techniques and owing to the seasonal changes in the hypo-osmoregulatory ability of the charr.Prospects for aquaculture development and areas requiring further research effort are briefly discussed.     

Assessing the food web impacts of an anadromous Arctic charr introduction to a sub‐Arctic watershed using stable isotopes

Anadromous Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), was introduced to a sub‐Arctic river–lake system near the village of Kujjuuaq, Nunavik, and the stable isotope values and diets of key resident fish species were used to assess changes in feeding patterns. Stable isotope values for most species did not differ significantly between the pre‐ and post‐introduction periods, with observed shifts being within the bounds of expected natural variation. Lake chub, Couesius plumbeus (Agassiz), were the single species to show a difference between study periods, with a small but significant increase in δ¹⁵N. No significant post‐introduction changes were seen in lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum), omnivory or in any of the assessed quantitative food web metrics. Gut contents of major fish species similarly showed significant temporal overlap between the pre‐ and post‐introduction periods, and there was no significant change in species' weight–length relationships. The minor ecological impact was interpreted in relation to the availability of open niches exploitable by ecological generalists such as Arctic charr. The explanation accords with the known habitat and feeding flexibility of Arctic charr and the ecological immaturity of sub‐Arctic lakes known to have driven adaptive variation among Arctic charr. Findings suggest that anadromous Arctic charr may be introduced at moderate densities to other sub‐Arctic watersheds without major negative food web consequences for other resident fish species.     

Long-term variation in the population structure of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, and brown trout, Salmo trutta

The effects of induced water level fluctuations and introduction of the mysid Mysis relicta Lovén on population structure of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), were studied during 1953–1995 in Limingen hydroelectric reservoir, Norway. The main response was a marked reduction in catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) for trout and charr, probably caused by reduced recruitment following increased variation in water level. For both species, mean length decreased until 1967 and increased thereafter, whereas mean mass‐at‐length increased for the whole period. Both length and mass‐at‐length were negatively correlated with CPUE. The increases in mean length and mass‐at‐length were probably because of reduced competition following the reduced recruitment. Mysis relicta has become an important food item for charr but not for brown trout, but the increases in mean length and mass‐at‐length of charr started prior to the appearance of M. relicta in the charr diet.     

Release of critically endangered crocodiles: Development and application of a food web approach to determine suitability of release habitat

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Current conservation genetics: building an ecological approach to the synthesis of molecular and quantitative genetic methods

Abstract Although neutral molecular markers have long been important tools for describing genetic variation in threatened fish species, many of the most critical questions in conservation relate more to quantitative genetic variation than to neutral markers. Quantitative genetic studies are typically expensive and time-consuming to conduct, especially in some of the long-lived vertebrates of conservation concern. The present review of recent literature in fish conservation genetics examines the traditional role of molecular studies in describing conservation units and providing indirect inference about local adaptation and adaptive potential. Of special interest are approaches that use a combination of molecular and quantitative genetic methods. Such studies are likely to provide important new insights into many conservation-related problems. The review also explores how increasing interest in non-neutral molecular markers is contributing to our understanding of the geographic scale and evolutionary importance of local adaptation in threatened populations. It is increasingly clear that advanced genetic technologies for the exploration of neutral and non-neutral molecular variation are leading to a fundamental shift in the way complex phenotypic traits are studied. This new synthesis of methods will have dramatic implications for fish conservation genetics and biology in general.     

Habitat and food choice of Arctic charr in Linnévatn on Spitsbergen, Svalbard: the first year-round investigation in a High Arctic lake

Abstract –  Habitat and diet of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) were studied by monthly sampling from late autumn to early summer in Linnévatn, Svalbard (78°3'N, 13°50'E). This is the first year-round study of a population of charr in the High Arctic, with samples being taken every 5–7 weeks. The ice cover lasted for more than 9 months, from mid-October to late July, with the greatest thickness in mid-May. Although most charr occupied the littoral zone during winter, the highest densities in April and October were found in the deeper areas (20 m) of the lake. The fish fed at all times of the year, but the number of stomachs with food and the stomach-filling indices were lowest during the darkest part of the season. The diet of smaller charr (<15 cm) varied strongly with season, showing a dominance of zooplankton in late autumn and chironomids in winter (larvae) and summer (pupae). The food choice was in accordance with the density of food items available. Larger fish (≥15 cm) were mostly cannibalistic during the entire year.     

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., brown trout Salmo trutta L. and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.): a review of aspects of their life histories

Abstract – Among the species in the family Salmonidae, those represented by the genera Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus (subfamily Salmoninae) are the most studied. Here, various aspects of phenotypic and life‐history variation of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., brown trout Salmo trutta L., and Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) are reviewed. While many strategies and tactics are commonly used by these species, there are also differences in their ecology and population dynamics that result in a variety of interesting and diverse topics that are challenging for future research. Atlantic salmon display considerable phenotypic plasticity and variability in life‐history characters ranging from fully freshwater resident forms, where females can mature at approximately 10 cm in length, to anadromous populations characterised by 3–5 sea‐winter (5SW) salmon. Even within simple 1SW populations, 20 or more spawning life‐history types can be identified. Juveniles in freshwater can use both fluvial and lacustrine habitats for rearing, and while most smolts migrate to sea during the spring, fall migrations occur in some populations. At sea, some salmon undertake extensive oceanic migrations while other populations stay within the geographical confines of areas such as the Baltic Sea. At the other extreme are those that reside in estuaries and return to freshwater to spawn after spending only a few months at sea. The review of information on the diversity of life‐history forms is related to conservation aspects associated with Atlantic salmon populations and current trends in abundance and survival. Brown trout is indigenous to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, but was introduced into at least 24 countries outside Europe and now has a world‐wide distribution. It exploits both fresh and salt waters for feeding and spawning (brackish), and populations are often partially migratory. One part of the population leaves and feeds elsewhere, while another part stays as residents. In large, complex systems, the species is polymorphic with different size morphs in the various parts of the habitat. Brown trout feed close to the surface and near shore, but large individuals may move far offshore. The species exhibits ontogenetic niche shifts partly related to size and partly to developmental rate. They switch when the amount of surplus energy available for growth becomes small with fast growers being younger and smaller fish than slow growers. Brown trout is an opportunistic carnivore, but individuals specialise at least temporarily on particular food items; insect larvae are important for the young in streams, while littoral epibenthos in lakes and fish are most important for large trout. The sexes differ in resource use and size. Females are more inclined than males to become migratory and feed in pelagic waters. Males exploit running water, near‐shore and surface waters more than females. Therefore, females feed more on zooplankton and exhibit a more uniform phenotype than males. The Arctic charr is the northernmost freshwater fish on earth, with a circumpolar distribution in the Holarctic that matches the last glaciation. Recent mtDNA studies indicate that there are five phylogeographic lineages (Atlantic, Arctic, Bering, Siberian and Acadian) that may be of Pleistocene origin. Phenotypic expression and ecology are more variable in charr than in most fish. Weights at maturation range from 3 g to 12 kg. Population differences in morphology and coloration are large and can have some genetic basis. Charr live in streams, at sea and in all habitats of oligotrophic lakes, including very deep areas. Ontogenetic habitat shifts between lacustrine habitats are common. The charr feed on all major prey types of streams, lakes and near‐shore marine habitats, but has high niche flexibility in competition. Cannibalism is expressed in several cases, and can be important for developing and maintaining bimodal size distributions. Anadromy is found in the northern part of its range and involves about 40, but sometimes more days in the sea. All charr overwinter in freshwater. Partial migration is common, but the degree of anadromy varies greatly among populations. The food at sea includes zooplankton and pelagic fish, but also epibenthos. Polymorphism and sympatric morphs are much studied. As a prominent fish of glaciated lakes, charr is an important species for studying ecological speciation by the combination of field studies and experiments, particularly in the fields of morphometric heterochrony and comparative behaviour.     

Migrations and harvest rates of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in a marine protected area

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Development and use of an Arctic charr cell line to study antiviral responses at extremely low temperatures

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) are the northernmost distributed freshwater fish and can grow at water temperatures as low as 0.2 °C. Other teleost species have impaired immune function at temperatures that Arctic charr thrive in, and thus, charr may maintain immune function at these temperatures. In this study, a fibroblastic cell line, named ACBA, derived from the bulbus arteriosus (BA) of Arctic charr was developed for use in immune studies at various temperatures. ACBA has undergone more than forty passages at 18 °C over 3 years, while showing no signs of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity and producing nitric oxide. Remarkably, ACBA cells survived and maintained some mitotic activity even at 1 °C for over 3 months. At these low temperatures, ACBA also continued to produce MH class I proteins. After challenge with poly I:C, only antiviral Mx proteins were induced while MH proteins remained constant. When exposed to live viruses, ACBA was shown to permit viral infection and replication of IPNV, VHSV IVa and CSV at 14 °C. Yet at the preferred temperature of 4 °C, only VHSV IVa was shown to replicate within ACBA. This study provides evidence that Arctic charr cells can maintain immune function while also resisting infection with intracellular pathogens at low temperatures.     

Growth effects in Arctic charr reared in cold water: Feed frequency, access to bottom feeding and stocking density

The effects of time restricted feeding, possibility of bottomfeeding and stocking density on the growth of Arctic charr(Salvelinus alpinus L.) were examined in fish held at lowtemperature (<2 °C). Fish fed for a restricted time (1 h) hadsignificantly (p < 0.05) lower specific growth rate (0.15 vs0.32% per day) than those fed the same ration over an extendedtime period (12 h). Increasing stocking densities had a positive andsignificant effect (p < 0.05) on growth with SGR increasing from 0.27to 0.52% per day at 2–30 kg m^-3. Fish withaccess to feed on the tank floor had a significantly higher (p <0.05) growth rate (0.3 vs 0.13% per day) than those without thepossibility to feed from the bottom. When fish were held underconditions without access to the bottom a doubling of the feed rationdid not result in a significant (p > 0.05) increase in growth rate(0.13 vs 0.12%percnt; per day).     

From one to ten: Canada's approach to achieving marine conservation targets

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Thermal habitat use and juvenile growth of Svalbard Arctic charr: evidence from otolith stable oxygen isotope analyses

Abstract – Stable oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O) derived from otoliths were used to estimate mean annual water temperatures experienced by individual Svalbard Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), during their first four growth seasons. The analysed Arctic charr experienced a high variety of temperatures, indicating the use of different thermal habitats. A higher proportion of the juveniles experienced warmer temperatures during their first summer compared with later summers, suggesting the selective use of the shallowest littoral areas of the lake. Although the estimated temperatures were consistent with water temperatures found in High Arctic rivers and lakes during summer, they did not represent the annual variation in air temperature registered over the 20 years of otolith measurement. Furthermore, summer otolith increment width did not correlate with the experienced temperature. However, after the second year, otolith increment width was highly dependent on increment width during the previous summer. This study estimated mean summer water temperatures experienced by individual Arctic charr during the first four growth seasons providing additional evidence that stable oxygen isotope analysis can be used to provide insight into the thermal habitat use by juvenile Arctic charr.