Using allometry with fish size to estimate production to biomass (P/B) ratios of salmonid populations |
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Authors: | R G Randall |
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Institution: | Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 4A6 |
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Abstract: | Abstract – The ratio of annual production rate to average biomass ( P / B ) is sometimes used as a shortcut method of estimating production if biomass is known. P / B ratios vary among salmonid populations in different areas depending on the species, fish size and growing conditions. The hypothesis that annual P / B ratios for salmonid populations can be predicted from the allometric equation: P / B = a W ?0.35 was investigated in this study. The allometric coefficient (?0.35) was obtained from the literature, and W was the average weight (g) of fish in the population. Plots of P / B versus fish weight for three species of salmonids, Salvelinus fontinalis , Salmo trutta and Salmo salar , showed a declining trend, with a slope consistent with the hypothesis. The coefficient a of the allometric equation was species and habitat dependent. The efficacy of using the allometric formula to estimate the P / B ratio of specific salmonid populations is examined. |
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Keywords: | fish production production to biomass ratios salmonids |
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