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Reproductive Investment and Energy Allocation in an Alpine Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Population

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Abstract

Reproductive investment was determined in a population of stunted Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, living in an ultra-oligotrophic alpine lake (altitude 1100 m) in central Norway (62°51′W). No reductions in somatic energy content (carcass and intestines) were detected during the spawning period. Post-spawning somatic lipid, protein and total energy content did not differ between male spawners, female spawners and immatures. The recorded reproductive output consisted of gonad tissue equivalent to 13% of total pre-spawning energy in females and 4% in males, respectively. Mean stored somatic lipid reserves were as low as 2.8% and did not change significantly from pre- (30 June) to post-spawning (1% October) samples. Female fecundity varied between 41 and 84 (mean 60) eggs, with a corresponding body length varying between 110 to 160 mm (mean 13%). Mean yearly survival rate after maturation was 70% for females and 64% for males, respectively. This particularly low reproductive investment is discussed in relation to environmental conditions and low resource availability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Anders Gravbrøt Finstad, Ole Kristian Berg, Arnfinn Langeland & Anne Lohrmann

  2. Department of Natural History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Anders Gravbrøt Finstad

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  1. Anders Gravbrøt Finstad
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  2. Ole Kristian Berg
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  3. Arnfinn Langeland
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  4. Anne Lohrmann
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Finstad, A.G., Berg, O.K., Langeland, A. et al. Reproductive Investment and Energy Allocation in an Alpine Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus, Population. Environmental Biology of Fishes 65, 63–70 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019679326993

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