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A laboratory study of diel and annual activity rhythms and vertical distribution in the perch, Perca fluviatilis, at the Arctic circle

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Synopsis

Diel and annual rhythms of activity and vertical distribution of a group of perch in a large laboratory tank were measured for 15 months under a natural light regime at the Arctic circle (Messaure, Swedish-Lappland, 66°42′N, 20°25′E). Perch were found to be mainly day-active at all seasons. The activity level was correlated with temperature and duration of activity with day length. During winter, the perch group stayed at the bottom of the tank. During the summer, the group spent about as much time in the upper part of the tank as in the lower. The behavior of perch in the laboratory is assumed roughly to mirror their behavior in the field.

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  1. Department of Ecological Zoology, University of Ume», S-901 87, Ume», Sweden

    Lars-Ove Eriksson

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  1. Lars-Ove Eriksson
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Eriksson, LO. A laboratory study of diel and annual activity rhythms and vertical distribution in the perch, Perca fluviatilis, at the Arctic circle. Environ Biol Fish 3, 301–307 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001457

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001457

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