Spatial variation in feeding ecology of age-0 lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis in Lake Huron

AbstractDNA barcoding is a useful tool for both species identification and discovery, but the latter requires denser sampling than typically used in barcode studies. Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) is a valuable species, fished traditionally, commercially, and recreationally in Lake Huron. Based on the natural geographic and bathymetric separation of the three major basins in Lake Huron, the potential separation of Lake Whitefish within these basins, and the variation among life history (early and late spawning), we predicted that Lake Huron might harbour cryptic lineages of Lake Whitefish at the basin level. To test this prediction, DNA barcodes of the mitochondrial 5’ cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences were recovered from spawning phase Lake Whitefish (n = 5 per site), which were collected from sites (n = 28) around Lake Huron during Fall 2012. These sequences, combined with other publically available DNA barcodes from the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD), revealed twelve unique haplotypes across North America, with seven unique to Lake Huron. The dominant haplotype was found throughout Lake Huron and east to the St. Lawrence River. No deep divergences were revealed. This comprehensive lake-wide sampling effort offers a new perspective on C. clupeaformis, and can provide insight for environmental assessments and fisheries management.

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The influence of ontogeny and prey abundance on feeding ecology of age‐0 Lake Whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) in southeastern Lake Michigan

Ecology Of Freshwater Fish ◽

10.1111/eff.12498 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 103-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Steven A. Pothoven

Keyword(s):

Feeding Ecology ◽

Lake Michigan ◽

Prey Abundance ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish

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Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) Stocks of the Ontario Waters of Lake Huron

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f81-225 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 38 (12) ◽

pp. 1772-1789 ◽

Cited By ~ 69

Author(s):

J. M. Casselman ◽

J. J. Collins ◽

E. J. Grossman ◽

P. E. Ihssen ◽

G. R. Spangler

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Lake Huron ◽

Starch Gel Electrophoresis ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Meristic Characters ◽

Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium ◽

Starch Gel ◽

South Shore

Historical and contemporary data on lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from the Ontario waters of Lake Huron were examined for evidence of stocks with the objective of defining population boundaries. We delineated the spatial distribution of five stocks from tag–recapture data and the general location of six additional stocks on the basis of population parameters such as growth rate, age structure, and abundance trends.Samples of fish collected (summer and fall) from 5 of the 11 potential stocks were evaluated on the basis of 11 morphometric and 7 meristic characters. We also examined osseometric features such as shape of scales and otoliths, and electrophoretic characteristics at 32 loci associated with 12 enzyme systems.The summer and fall samples for each group were generally not significantly different. For the phenotypes examined electrophoretically, each stock was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium; 12 of the 32 loci considered were polymorphic and 4 of the 10 possible genetic distances differed significantly from zero.The Inner Basin stock was distinctly different from all other stocks. The Blind River stock was also found to be different by osseometrics, but not by morphometrics or electrophoresis. Osseometrics separated the stocks by basin of origin. Two stocks, Outer Basin and Burnt Island, appeared to be the most similar and could be separated from each other only on the basis of growth rate and tagging data. These two stocks are adjacent to each other in the main basin of Lake Huron, along the south shore of Manitoulin Island.Whitefish stocks of Lake Huron represent groups of fish that differ phenotypically and genotypically in varying degrees, are spatially separated, and behave as cohesive units. We conclude that they should be regarded as functional units for management purposes.Key words: lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, Lake Huron, stocks, tag–recapture data, population structure, morphometrics, meristics, osseometrics, scale and otolith shape, starch gel electrophoresis, biochemical genetic variation

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Assessment of the United States Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) Fisheries of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f76-092 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 747-759 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

A. L. Jensen

Keyword(s):

Lake Michigan ◽

Lake Superior ◽

The United States ◽

Sea Lamprey ◽

Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽

Lake Huron ◽

Production Model ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Surplus Production Model

The logistic surplus production model is applied to lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) yield and effort data from Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. The fitted models indicate that the whitefish populations in most areas of the lakes have been overexploited, and that in these areas yield was below the maximum sustainable yield before sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) predation took its toll. In some areas of Lake Superior the whitefish populations are not overexploited. The sea lamprey is the apparent cause of the drastic decrease in the whitefish population that occurred in northern Lake Michigan during the 1950’s.

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Spatial and temporal genetic diversity of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis (Mitchill)) from Lake Huron and Lake Erie

Advances in Limnology ◽

10.1127/1612-166x/2013/0064-0015 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 64 ◽

pp. 205-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Wendylee Stott ◽

Mark P. Ebener ◽

Lloyd Mohr ◽

Travis Hartman ◽

Jim Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Lake Erie ◽

Lake Huron ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Temporal Genetic Diversity

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Relative Efficiency of Multifilament and Monofilament Nylon Gill Net Towards Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Lake Huron

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f79-170 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 36 (10) ◽

pp. 1180-1185 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

J. J. Collins

Keyword(s):

Relative Efficiency ◽

Full Moon ◽

Lake Huron ◽

Moon Phase ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Commercial Catch ◽

Gill Net ◽

Catch Statistics ◽

Individual Size

In the early 1970s Lake Huron fishermen converted their gill nets from multifilament to monofilament nylon web in the lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) fishery. Catch comparisons in the two gears showed that monofilament nets were 1.8 times more efficient (but varied seasonally), resulting in biased commercial catch statistics. The use of monofilament web has probably increased exploitation pressure on whitefish. Both gears selected whitefish of the same size despite stock differences in individual size and shape. Catches in both gears declined during the full moon phase, possibly due to increased net visibility. Key words: mono-multifilament gillnet efficiency, selectivity, lunar illuminance, Coregonus clupeaformis, Lake Huron

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Dynamics of An Exploited Population of Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) In Lake Huron

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f83-180 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 40 (10) ◽

pp. 1556-1567 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

B. A. Henderson ◽

J. J. Collins ◽

J. A. Reckahn

Keyword(s):

Fork Length ◽

Lake Huron ◽

Population Abundance ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Stock Size ◽

Parental Stock ◽

Intrinsic Mechanism ◽

Class Strength ◽

Population Sizes

A population of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in the waters off eastern Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron was sampled from 1950 to 1982 by an experimental pound net in the outer basin of South Bay. Year-class strength increased markedly from 1947 to 1977; the increase began with the decline of the 1943 year-class. The fork length attained by age 1–3 fish decreased during the study, but no trend was apparent for older fish. Natural mortality of year-classes varied considerably, and was probably related to the abundance of lamprey. The annual exploitation rate increased from 1 to 37% between 1960 and 1977. Year-class strength was not correlated with the thermal regime during spawning and hatching. Recruitment was a function of parental stock size, and there was evidence that survival from the egg to juvenile stage was inversely correlated with parental stock size. Instantaneous growth rates (G) during the 2nd year of growth were inversely related to year-class strength. Growth (G) in the 1st year was positively correlated with estimated surface water temperatures. The sizes attained by ages 2 and 3 were inversely related to total population abundance. Catchability coefficients in 144-mm-mesh gill nets were inversely related to estimated population sizes. An intrinsic mechanism of population regulation is proposed whereby recruitment is a function of parental stock size, juvenile survival is inversely related to stock size, and growth is inversely correlated with population abundance.

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