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Smolts and Smolting

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Ecology of Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout

Part of the book series: Fish & Fisheries Series ((FIFI,volume 33))

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Abstract

This chapter describes important elements of the parr-smolt transformation (smolting) in Atlantic salmon and brown trout. Smolting is a preparatory physiolo­gical adaptation, which occurs in spring prior to the seaward migration. It includes morphological transformation, and changes in salinity tolerance, visual pigments, buoyancy, metabolism and behaviour. The changes precede the downstream migration, and prepare the fish for marine life in pelagic waters. Smolting occurs coincident with environmental changes such as increasing day length and temperature in spring.

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    Bror Jonsson & Nina Jonsson

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Jonsson, B., Jonsson, N. (2011). Smolts and Smolting. In: Ecology of Atlantic Salmon and Brown Trout. Fish & Fisheries Series, vol 33. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1189-1_5

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