Synopsis
RNA/DNA ratios were used to estimate recent somatic allocation of spawning arctic charr,Salvelinus alpinus, and pink salmon,Oncorhynchus gorbuscha. Smaller arctic charr morphs had lower ratios than larger morphs. Larger male pink salmon had lower ratios than smaller males. Thus recent somatic allocation (anabolic metabolic activity and growth) is coupled with cumulative lifetime growth in iteroparous arctic charr, but is uncoupled in semelparous pink salmon. These data suggest that somatic investment in these species is being differentially effected by the energetic costs of reproduction.
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Ferguson, M.M., Noakes, D.L.G., Skúlason, S. et al. Life-history styles and somatic allocation in iteroporous arctic charr and semelparous pink salmon. Environ Biol Fish 28, 267–272 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00751040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00751040