Genetic structure of lake whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, populations in the northern main basin of Lake Huron

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 241-260
Author(s):  
W. Stott ◽  
M.P. Ebener ◽  
L. Mohr ◽  
J. Schaeffer ◽  
E.F. Roseman ◽  
...  
2010 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Macpherson ◽  
John A. Holmes ◽  
Andrew M. Muir ◽  
David L. G. Noakes

Abstract We collected lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis and round whitefish Prosopium cylindraceum from the main basin of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America to investigate details of diet and feeding tactics of these species in different seasons. Lake whitefish supports important commercial fisheries in Lake Huron and both species make use of habitats near the Bruce Nuclear Power Development, on the eastern shore of Lake Huron. Most fish of both species showed generalist feeding behavior, but some lake whitefish appeared to show specialist prey selection. The invasive spiny water flea Bythotrephes longimanus was an important component of the diet of both species. There was considerable dietary overlap between the whitefish species, but the ecological implications of these dietary overlaps are mitigated by the fact that dominant prey species differed in most seasons. We conclude that the potential for ecologically significant interactions between lake whitefish and round whitefish resulting from competition for similar benthic food resources in the main basin of Lake Huron is probably low.


DNA Barcodes ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Overdyk ◽  
Heather E. Braid ◽  
Stephen S. Crawford ◽  
Robert H. Hanner

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.


1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1772-1789 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Casselman ◽  
J. J. Collins ◽  
E. J. Grossman ◽  
P. E. Ihssen ◽  
G. R. Spangler

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


1976 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 747-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Jensen

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.


2013 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 205-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendylee Stott ◽  
Mark P. Ebener ◽  
Lloyd Mohr ◽  
Travis Hartman ◽  
Jim Johnson ◽  
...  

1979 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1180-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Collins

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


1983 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1556-1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Henderson ◽  
J. J. Collins ◽  
J. A. Reckahn

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.


1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 2039-2046 ◽  
Author(s):  
George R. Spangler ◽  
John J. Collins

Changes in population parameters of three stocks of whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Lake Huron following control of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) have varied between the major basins of the lake. In the North Channel and main basin, whitefish survival rates increased significantly, from values of 23 to 37% and 16 to 24%, respectively. In both areas the abundance of lamprey declined while whitefish increased. In Georgian Bay, whitefish populations did not reflect changes attributable to lamprey control, possibly because of low lamprey abundance. During the control period, whitefish survival rates declined from 57 to 39%, abundance declined and growth rates increased.Key words: Lake Huron whitefish, lamprey control, Petromyzon marinus


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