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Morphological variations in bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, with particular emphasis on growth-related changes

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Abstract

Morphological variations in bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, including growth-related changes, sexual dimorphism and morphological differences between populations in different habitats, were examined in samples from three reservoirs in Kagawa, Japan. Body measurements demonstrated frequent growth-related proportional changes, particularly in body depth, body width, caudal peduncle length and head length, which all showed relative increases, whereas first dorsal fin length, caudal fin length and orbital diameter became relatively shorter. Body weight increased relatively with growth, with relative growth coefficients of 3.339–3.454 for regressions between total length and body weight. Such body weight increases were likely due to the relative increases in body depth and width, and caudal peduncle depth. Although counts of fin spines, fin rays and gill rakers did not change with growth, those of scales tended to increase. Males were significantly larger than females in body depth, caudal peduncle length, head length and body weight. Sexual dimorphism was also apparent in body coloration during the breeding season. In addition, a number of morphological differences were observed between individuals from different habitats.

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Acknowledgments

The author is very grateful to Mr. Mikio Miyauchi, a representative of licensed aquaculturists at Hachiman Reservoir, Mr. Kataro Ishida, a representative of licensed aquaculturists at Manno Reservoir, and the late Wasaburo Tani, formerly a representative of licensed aquaculturists at Saburo Reservoir, who permitted the collection of specimens used for the present study. Mr. Tameo Mizukami, Mizukami Fish Nursery, Takamatsu, Kagawa, assisted in collecting specimens from the Hachiman and Saburo reservoirs. Mr. Masumi Ozaki, Chiba Prefectural Office, Dr. Katsuki Nakai, Lake Biwa Museum, Dr. Kenji Saitoh, National Research Institute of Fisheries Science, Fisheries Research Agency, Dr. Hiromitsu Endo, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, and Mr. Yasuyuki Takeda, Fisheries Experimental Station, Wakayama Research Center of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, provided some literature. Mr. Takaharu Obayashi, formerly Principal of Kagawa Prefectural Fisheries Experimental Station, gave general support for the study, which was also supported by the National Federation of Inlandwater Fisheries Cooperatives, during a project to develop measures for problems of exotic fishes. Finally, I wish to thank Ms. Dawn L. McKendry, Middleburg, Florida, USA, and Dr. Graham S. Hardy, Ngunguru, New Zealand, for checking the manuscript.

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  1. 13-5 Higashihama, Tadotsu-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa, 764-0016, Japan

    Kōji Yokogawa

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Correspondence to Kōji Yokogawa.

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Yokogawa, K. Morphological variations in bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, with particular emphasis on growth-related changes. Ichthyol Res 60, 48–61 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-012-0310-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-012-0310-2

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