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Life history structure of westslope cutthroat trout: Inferences from otolith microchemistry

Fisheries Research
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2019.105416

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Abstract

Life history diversity is important for population stability and is dependent on connectivity to habitat that supports all life stages and life history strategies for a species. Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi (WCT) exhibit plasticity in life history strategies in response to environmental variability, but fisheries managers have been challenged with evaluating the life history structure of WCT populations. The goals of this research were to use strontium isotopes (i.e., 87Sr/86Sr) derived from ambient water and sagittal otoliths to assess spatial variability and describe the life history structure of WCT. Water samples (n = 49) and WCT (n = 571) sagittal otoliths were collected throughout the Coeur d’Alene Lake basin in Idaho and analyzed for Sr isotopes. Model-based discriminant function analysis was used to assign WCT to natal tributaries and to infer maternal origins. Life history structure was inferred from maternal signatures and indicated that fluvial (68% of all fish), resident (27%), and adfluvial (5%) life history strategies were present. Connectivity in lotic systems and from lotic to lentic environments supports WCT life history diversity and contributes to a broad distribution of the species.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Life history structure of westslope cutthroat trout: Inferences from otolith microchemistry
Series title Fisheries Research
DOI 10.1016/j.fishres.2019.105416
Volume 222
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 105416, 14 p.
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Coeur d'Alene Lake, Coeur d'Alene River, St, Joe River, St, Maries River
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