Geology Reports⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70023934

Mitochondrial DNA variability among Lake Baikal omul Coregonus autumnalis migratorius (Georgi)

M. K. Burnham-Curtis·T.M. Ramme·T. N. Todd·C.R. Bronte·G.W. Fleischer·N.M. Pronin·S.G. Maistrenko
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Omul, Coregonus autumnalis, are a commercially important coregonine fish from Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia. In Lake Baikal, three morphotypes recognized by fishery experts occupy different zones in the lake: they are referred to as "littoral," "pelagic," and "benthic". Expressed character divergence was supported by whole-body morphometric analysis, but it is not known whether discrete genetic differences accompany the observed morphological variation. This study was designed to assess the genetic variation of three different omul morphotypes sampled from different locations in Lake Baikal that were segregated by morphotype in multivariate analysis. We surveyed genetic variation with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of specific gene loci amplified with the polymerase chain reaction. Sequence variation was localized in the mitochondrial control region. Though no discrete genetic markers were found, there is evidence of reproductive segregation by geographic location that corroborates geographic variation in morphological characters.

Explore related subjects

Advances in LimnologyArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

M. K. Burnham-Curtis, T.M. Ramme, T. N. Todd, C.R. Bronte, G.W. Fleischer, N.M. Pronin, S.G. Maistrenko. 2002. Mitochondrial DNA variability among Lake Baikal omul Coregonus autumnalis migratorius (Georgi). https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70023934

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2021

Export of pelagic fish larvae from a large Great Lakes connecting channel

The St. Clair-Detroit River System is located in the heart of the North American Laurentian Great Lakes, connecting lakes Huron and Erie, contributing over 90% of the inflow to Lake Erie, and providing spawning habitat for many fishes including walleye (Sander vitreus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). Dredging and channelization have greatly altered the Detroit River thereby reducing available spawning habitat and redirecting a majority of river discharge through deep canal-like channels to offshore areas of western Lake Erie at high velocities. Fish reproduction has been measured in the Detroit River using larval surveys for over 10 years. However, quantitative estimates of contributions from spawning in the system to Lake Erie fish populations have not been determined. We use long-term biological sampling and physical habitat surveys to characterize larval drift patterns and a Bayesian approach to quantify larval export from the Detroit River. Larval export from the Detroit River into Lake Erie varied by species, across years (2006–2015), and spatially among the multiple navigational channels in the lower Detroit River. Total annual export of walleye larvae ranged from 12 million in 2013 to 114 million in 2014, yellow perch larvae ranged from 319 million in 2014 to 690 million in 2013, and lake whitefish larvae ranged from 29 million in 2010 to 84 million in 2011. Given the widespread spawning, large numbers of larvae produced, and continued system-wide water quality and aquatic habitat improvements, the Detroit River provides valuable habitat and added resilience to Lake Erie fisheries despite suffering from severe anthropogenic disturbances.

Michigan, Ontario↗
USGS2021

Pelagic forage versus abiotic factors as drivers of walleye growth in northern Wisconsin lakes

Understanding ecological relationships among fishes and their environments are important for informing management policies. We conducted a statewide assessment of cisco (Coregonus artedi) in inland lakes of Wisconsin to better understand the status of this pelagic, coldwater forage fish. We then used long-term (2005–2014), standardized walleye (Sander vitreus) survey data from the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin (CTWI) to test for the influence of cisco (present, extirpated, or never present) and several abiotic factors on walleye growth trajectories described using sex-specific asymptotic lengths (L∞), Brody growth coefficients (K), and time in years required to attain common length limits used to manage harvest of walleye in the recreational fishery (381 and 457 mm). Despite being top predators in many north-temperate waters, walleye growth was highly variable among lakes, suggesting that forage base and abiotic factors may be important drivers. Growth characteristics of 160 CTWI walleye populations revealed that females reached greatest L∞ in lakes with cisco compared to those where cisco were never present or those lakes where cisco have been extirpated; however, differences were not statistically significant. Male walleye L∞ did not differ based on cisco presence. Brody growth coefficients (K) for female walleye were positively correlated with growing degree days and Secchi depth; K for males was positively correlated with Secchi depth. Average time to attain 381 and 457 mm were lowest in lakes where cisco have been extirpated. Our results suggest that cooler water temperatures and lower water clarity may be more important drivers of walleye maximum growth potential in northern Wisconsin lakes than the presence of cisco.

Wisconsin↗
USGS2021

Short-term survival of lake whitefish following surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters using chemical anesthesia and electroimmobilization

The recreational, tribal, and commercial importance of lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) has prompted interest in conducting large-scale telemetry studies to evaluate movement patterns, stock structure, and spatial distribution of fish relative to fishing effort in the Laurentian Great Lakes. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning the postoperative effects of intracoelomic transmitter implantation and the use of different anesthetic agents and immobilization techniques during surgery on the survival of lake whitefish. Consequently, we evaluated 48-h survival of lake whitefish following intracoelomic implantation of acoustic transmitters using chemical anesthesia (i.e., Aqui-S 20E®) and electroimmobilization through a series of field surgery trials during November 2016 and 2017. Lake whitefish were collected using electrofishing and assigned to treatment groups including: 1) a loop tag; 2) a loop tag and acoustic transmitter with no anesthesia or immobilization; 3) a loop tag and transmitter using Aqui-S 20E®; 4) a loop tag and transmitter using electroimmobilization; and 5) reference fish. In treatments involving anesthesia or immobilization, induction and recovery times were recorded, and all fish were monitored for postoperative mortality. After 48 h, all fish that underwent anesthesia or immobilization during surgery were alive, but 4 of 25 (16%) fish that underwent surgery without anesthesia or immobilization died within 48 h. Induction and recovery times were substantially shorter for fish immobilized with electricity (induction time: instantaneous; recovery time < 20 s) than for those anesthetized with Aqui-S 20E® (induction time > 200 s; recovery time > 500 s). Results indicate that survival of lake whitefish following surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters was high when surgeries were conducted with Aqui-S 20E® or electroimmobilization. Compared to using Aqui-S 20E®, electroimmobilization can provide shorter induction and recovery times and may be a preferred option for field-based tagging activities with limitations on time and fish holding capacity.

Great Lakes↗