Hatchery-induced morphological variation in an endangered fish: a challenge for hatchery-based recovery efforts

Keywords

endangered species, species recovery, lake suckers, hatcheries, phenotypic development

Abstract

Recovery plans for many endangered fishes include production of large numbers of individuals in hatcheries to augment wild populations. However, effects of hatchery culture on phenotypic development are poorly documented for most species. June sucker (Chasmistes liorus) is an endangered lake sucker endemic to Utah Lake (Utah, USA), and recovery plans include raising thousands of juveniles to stock in the lake. To determine effects of hatchery culture on morphology of young June sucker, we raised individuals from four different families in both lake and hatchery environments and compared shape variation among families and between environments. We compared shape from three perspectives: lateral body, ventral mouth, and lateral head views. Mean shape varied between hatchery-reared and lake-reared individuals in each of the three views. In addition, hatchery-reared individuals exhibited higher variance in shape both within and among families compared with shape variance in lake-reared individuals. Hatchery-reared individuals exhibited divergent phenotypes compared with lake-reared individuals. These results suggest that exposure to the native environment during early life stages may be important for phenotypic development suitable to native habitats. Hatcheries should incorporate designs and practices to minimize divergent phenotypic development of individuals.

Original Publication Citation

Belk, M.C., Benson, L.J., Rasmussen, J., and Peck, S.L. 2008. Hatchery-induced morphological variation in an endangered fish: a challenge for hatchery-based recovery efforts. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65:401-408.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2008-02-08

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8197

Publisher

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Language

English

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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