The reproductive biology of the Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma Walbaum)
| dc.contributor.author | Leggett, John William, | en_US |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-08-14T21:03:11Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-08-14T21:03:11Z | |
| dc.date.copyright | 1970 | en_US |
| dc.date.issued | 1970 | |
| dc.degree.department | Department of Biology | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Science M.Sc. | en |
| dc.description.abstract | Migratory and reproductive behaviour of the non-anadromous Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma Walbaum) was studied at Meadow Creek, a system in southeastern British Columbia which flows into the Duncan River approximately three miles upstream from its confluence with Kootenay Lake. The spawning migration lasted for more than two months (July 23 to September 26) with the peak period occurring during August. Data on several physical water properties as well as climatological information were collected during the migration and spawning periods . Body weight, length, and sex were recorded from Dolly Varden migrants at each of the fences. The total number of upstream migrants into the Meadow Creek system was 97 (81 mature, 16 immature or unclassified). The body weight to length relationship of the total upstream migrants was Yₓ = 814.15--68.22x + l.52x². A site on John Creek approximately one mile above its confluence with Meadow Creek was chosen for the construction of two large aquaria (16' x 4 ' x 4 '). For behavioural observations the aquaria simulated the natural spawning habitat. A total of 19 subjects were used for the reproductive behaviour study . Six spawning acts were observed (three documented in detail). The motor patterns of reproduction were described both quantitatively and qualitatively and compared to other salmonids. Generally Dolly Varden closely resembled the descriptions given for other salmonids with the exception of male trembling (unique to the Dolly Varden?) , orgasm repetition, and certain post-spawning activity (both similar to other chars). Gravel ana lysis showed t hat Dolly Varden select redd sites which include larger aggregates (1-1/2" - 5" ). This combined with post -spawning undulating (an activity which probably serves to sweep eggs located near the surface deep into redd crevices) and specialized post-spawn digging (higher frequency tail beats than in pre-spawn digging) appear to be functional adaptations related to egg survival in the unstable spawning and rearing environments exploited by this species in British Columbia. | en |
| dc.format.extent | 181 pages | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/18620 | |
| dc.rights | Available to the World Wide Web | en_US |
| dc.title | The reproductive biology of the Dolly Varden Char (Salvelinus malma Walbaum) | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |
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