The relationship between yellow perch Perca flavescens abundance and growth rates were evaluated in the Indiana waters of Lake Michigan from 1984 to 2004. Relative abundance values were taken from trawl catch per unit effort (CPUE), while growth rates were determined by back-calculation. Abundance CPUE during the mid 1980's, was approximately one order of magnitude higher when compared to the 1990 to 2004 period. Growth rates were inversely related to relative abundance and were sexually dimorphic, with females growing faster than males. Regression analysis indicated approximately half of this observed variation in growth was due to abundance, and was most apparent with the smaller and younger fish. Both intraspecific competition and physiological changes associated with maturity are plausible explanations for the relationship. / Department of Biology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/188233 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Headley, Heath C. |
| Contributors | Lauer, Thomas E |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | v, 52 leaves : ill., map ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | nl----- |
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