Effect of Different Constant Incubation Temperatures on Egg Survival and Embryonic Development in Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

Flooding of Southern Indian Lake for hydroelectric power development has resulted in extensive wave erosion of glacio-lacustrine clay shore material and greatly increased suspended sediment levels. Winter sedimentation on spawning grounds of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) ranged from 0.03 to 0.14 g dry wt sediment∙cm−2. This deposited a layer 1–4 mm in depth. The sediment, low in organic content, was categorized as silty clay. The effect of this winter sedimentation on survival of whitefish eggs was tested at four sites over a range of winter sedimentation rates. Three of the sites were whitefish spawning areas. Egg survival was significantly higher for eggs incubated in cages designed to minimize exposure to sedimentation compared with survival in cages allowing full exposure to sedimentation. Winter sedimentation rates and whitefish egg survival were negatively correlated for cages designed to minimize exposure to sedimentation, while egg survival in the exposed cages was uniformly low.

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Thermal dependence of size-at-hatch in the lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/cjfas-2018-0097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (11) ◽

pp. 2069-2079 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Charles Mitz ◽

Christopher Thome ◽

Mary Ellen Cybulski ◽

Christopher M. Somers ◽

Richard G. Manzon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developmental Stages ◽

Morphological Characteristics ◽

Development Stage ◽

Dominant Factor ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Thermal Dependence ◽

Break Up ◽

The Difference ◽

Incubation Temperatures

Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) embryos incubated at low temperatures have a longer incubation period and hatch at a significantly greater size than those incubated at warmer temperatures. We examined hatch timing and morphological characteristics for whitefish embryos reared under different constant and varying temperatures to determine whether the thermal dependence of hatching size reflects differences in their development stage. Our results show that lake whitefish embryos hatch at different temperature-dependent developmental stages, and this is the dominant factor affecting size-at-hatch. The term “heterograde” is proposed for the thermal dependence of hatching stage to differentiate it from hatching that occurs at a fixed developmental stage. A method to quantify this effect is given using a ratio that describes the difference in relative development at hatching between different viable constant incubation temperatures. Heterograde hatching is proposed as a possible mechanism to synchronize the timing of hatch to the break-up of winter ice cover despite variability in the date of spawning and in the onset of spring break-up.

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A Research Environment 2 km Deep-Underground Impacts Embryonic Development in Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

Frontiers in Earth Science ◽

10.3389/feart.2020.00327 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jake Pirkkanen ◽

Andrew M. Zarnke ◽

Taylor Laframboise ◽

Simon J. Lees ◽

T. C. Tai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Embryonic Development ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Research Environment ◽

Deep Underground

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Lipid content and fatty acid profile during lake whitefish embryonic development at different incubation temperatures

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology ◽

10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.09.018 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 203 ◽

pp. 201-209 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Casey A. Mueller ◽

Liam Doyle ◽

John Eme ◽

Richard G. Manzon ◽

Christopher M. Somers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Embryonic Development ◽

Fatty Acid Profile ◽

Lipid Content ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Incubation Temperatures

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The Effects of Thermal Pollution on the Egg Survival of Lake Whitefish (Coregonus Clupeaformis [Mitchill])

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1975.003 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 9-16

Author(s):

Gary R. Ash

Keyword(s):

Power Plants ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽

Lake Whitefish ◽

Egg Survival ◽

Spawning Grounds ◽

Heated Water ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Heated Area ◽

Type Water

Abstract Lake Wabamun, located approximately 64 km west of Edmonton, Alberta, has two thermal electric generating stations situated upon it which utilize lake water for cooling purposes. The fishery for lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis [Mitchill]) in the lake is important due to its high commercial and sport value. Since lake whitefish eggs require low temperatures throughout the winter for successful incubation, and since the major spawning area in the lake is located across a small bay from one of the power plants, it was feared that the heated water discharge would reduce lake whitefish egg survival on the spawning grounds. Since the whitefish are subject to heavy fishing pressure in the lake, it was thought that such a reduction in egg survival might cause a gradual reduction in the whitefish population. During preliminary fishery investigation in the lake it was discovered that large numbers of lake whitefish were spawning on an organic ooze substrate in the heated area. To determine the survival of eggs spawned on the ooze substrate in one of the heated areas , and also on the major spawning grounds (a rock and sand shoal), fertilized lake whitefish eggs were incubated in situ in enclosed trays in these areas and at control sites located in the portion of the lake not influenced by the power plants. The effects of substrate type, water temperature, and siltation on egg survival and their relation to the heated water discharge areas are discussed.

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