Review
Limnology
Jonathan J. Borrelli, Rick A. Relyea
Summary: Lakes are under various human pressures, and modeling community dynamics is essential to understand their response to changing environments. Current models have focused on pelagic organisms and treated lakes as uniform communities, but there is actually heterogeneity within lakes due to environmental conditions, leading to compartmentalization in food web structure. Lakes can be represented as three-dimensional meta-ecosystems, with connected compartments of food webs with varying degrees of mobility. However, current modeling approaches have limitations in representing spatial heterogeneity. The use of allometric trophic networks is recommended to facilitate spatially explicit food web modeling.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Eric S. Torvinen, Jeffrey A. Falke, Christopher D. Arp, Benjamin M. Jones, Matthew S. Whitman, Christian E. Zimmerman
Summary: This study used biochronology techniques and modeling to examine the growth patterns of lake trout in the Arctic region. The results showed that annual growth varied by year, with fish growth slowing as individuals aged, and females growing faster than males. The study also found that lake trout had higher growth in flow-through lakes compared to lakes that were perennially or seasonally connected. Moreover, the study indicated that there was no clear warming trend for the period 1998-2014, but modeled temperatures predicted increasing annual growth from 1950-2014.
ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Silviya Ivanova, Sarah M. Larocque, Aaron T. Fisk, Timothy B. Johnson
Summary: Animal interactions are crucial components of community function, with non-native species in freshwater ecosystems potentially impacting the restoration of native species. This study highlights the importance of depth in understanding fish interactions and the value of considering pairwise species interactions for ecosystem community function.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew Jasonowicz, Shawn Sitar, Michael Seider, Frederick Goetz
Summary: Lake charr exhibit morphological diversity and can thrive in cold lakes by optimizing the use of the entire water column. Lean lake charr maintain shallow depths throughout the year, while redfin and siscowet lake charr have different depth patterns. Siscowet lake charr show extreme vertical movements and may feed near the surface.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Wesley A. Larson, Matthew S. Kornis, Keith N. Turnquist, Charles R. Bronte, Mark E. Holey, S. Dale Hanson, Theodore J. Treska, Wendylee Stott, Brian L. Sloss
Summary: This study utilized genotypes from 36 microsatellites to investigate hatchery strain contribution to naturally produced lake trout across Lake Michigan. Results showed variation in strain composition and performance by area, with potential adaptive advantages of certain strains in specific environmental conditions. Thorough strain evaluations are essential for informing management and conservation strategies.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Christopher A. Osborne, Jason M. Robinson, Brian F. Lantry, Brian C. Weidel, Ian Harding, Michael J. Connerton
Summary: In this study, coded wire tags were used to establish true ages for Lake Trout and assess the accuracy and precision of age interpretations made from transverse-sectioned otoliths. The researchers identified sources of potential age interpretation error and provided a digital reference collection for training and monitoring purposes.
NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seth R. Smith, Eric Normandeau, Haig Djambazian, Pubudu M. Nawarathna, Pierre Berube, Andrew M. Muir, Jiannis Ragoussis, Chantelle M. Penney, Kim T. Scribner, Gordon Luikart, Chris C. Wilson, Louis Bernatchez
Summary: In this study, an annotated, chromosome-anchored genome assembly for Lake Trout was generated using various sequencing techniques, resulting in a highly contiguous assembly. Analysis revealed insights into homeologs resulting from a salmonid-specific autotetraploid event and homologous chromosomes in related taxa, providing valuable resources for future genomic research.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas R. Binder, Christopher M. Holbrook, Charles R. Bronte, Ji He, Charles C. Krueger
Summary: Stocking of hatchery-reared fishes has been used as a management action, but its success varies. Acoustic telemetry was used to study the reproductive behavior of lake trout. The study found no evidence that hatchery rearing impairs spawning behavior, suggesting that behavior deficiencies are likely not an impediment to lake trout rehabilitation.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Daniel P. Gillis, Charles K. Minns, Brian J. Shuter
Summary: This study developed a semi-mechanistic seasonal temperature-profile model to accurately predict lake temperatures in 369 North American lakes. By using random forests to select candidate predictors and creating empirical equations based on these predictors, the researchers were able to accurately predict thermal profiles in lakes.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Hayley C. Glassic, David D. Chagaris, Christopher S. Guy, Lusha M. Tronstad, Dominique R. Lujan, Michelle A. Briggs, Lindsey K. Albertson, Travis O. Brenden, Timothy E. Walsworth, Todd M. Koel
Summary: This study investigated the recovery of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Yellowstone Lake and found that predation, drought, and disease have caused a decline in their population. However, the implementation of a Lake Trout suppression program has led to a partial recovery. Nevertheless, incorporating the influence of disease and climate change, the conservation benchmarks for the trout have not been achieved. Therefore, the researchers suggest including additional factors in the conservation benchmarks for a better assessment of management actions and environmental conditions on the trout.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiuling Bai, Yunkai Zhou, Wenna Ye, Hongyan Zhao, Jiehua Wang, Wenchao Li
Summary: The transformation rate of organic phosphorus is influenced by temperature and dissolved oxygen, with different compounds responding differently. Alkaline phosphatase may play a key role in the transformation of organic P at lower temperatures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Tyler J. Firkus, Frederick W. Goetz, Gregory Fischer, Cheryl A. Murphy
Summary: This study examined the changes in energy allocation in two salmon species with different life history strategies following parasitism. The results showed significant differences in the response to parasitism between the two fish, suggesting that life history strategies can be used to generalize stressor response between populations.
INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Peter M. Baker, Christian A. Therrien, Carlie A. Muir, Shawn R. Garner, Bryan D. Neff
Summary: The consumption of invasive, high-thiaminase prey fishes can lead to thiamine deficiency, posing a major barrier for lake trout restoration in the Great Lakes. However, little is known about the effect of thiamine deficiency on cardiac function in fishes. This study found that a high-thiaminase diet resulted in significant heart enlargement and reduced cardiac performance at high temperatures in lake trout, suggesting that dietary thiaminase impairs cardiac function and may become more important with increasing water temperatures due to climate change.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Louise Chavarie, Steve Voelker, Michael J. Hansen, Charles R. Bronte, Andrew M. Muir, Mara S. Zimmerman, Charles C. Krueger
Summary: Phenotypic variation among individuals can be influenced by the stability or predictability of the environment, leading to intraspecific diversity. By investigating variability in morphology and annual growth increments of lake charr, a rapid phenotypic shift was found within a short period of time, suggesting similar pathways caused the variation.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Krista K. Bartz, Michael P. Hannam, Tammy L. Wilson, Ryan F. Lepak, Jacob M. Ogorek, Daniel B. Young, Collin A. Eagles -Smith, David P. Krabbenhoft
Summary: Mercury is a harmful pollutant in its organic form that poses risks to fish, wildlife, and humans. This study assessed mercury concentrations in lake trout collected from 14 lakes in southwest Alaska and identified factors associated with the variation in fish mercury concentrations. The results showed that mercury concentrations in water were consistently low, while mercury concentrations in lake trout varied greatly and were influenced by fish age and body condition.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Christopher Spence, Ken Beaty, Paul J. Blanchfield, Lee Hrenchuk, Murray D. MacKay
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2018)
Article
Fisheries
Patrick J. Kennedy, Paul J. Blanchfield, Karen A. Kidd, Michael J. Paterson, Cheryl L. Podemski, Michael D. Rennie
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David J. Yurkowski, Marie Auger-Methe, Mark L. Mallory, Sarah N. P. Wong, Grant Gilchrist, Andrew E. Derocher, Evan Richardson, Nicholas J. Lunn, Nigel E. Hussey, Marianne Marcoux, Ron R. Togunov, Aaron T. Fisk, Lois A. Harwood, Rune Dietz, Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid, Erik W. Born, Anders Mosbech, Jerome Fort, David Gremillet, Lisa Loseto, Pierre R. Richard, John Iacozza, Frankie Jean-Gagnon, Tanya M. Brown, Kristin H. Westdal, Jack Orr, Bernard LeBlanc, Kevin J. Hedges, Margaret A. Treble, Steven T. Kessel, Paul J. Blanchfield, Shanti Davis, Mark Maftei, Nora Spencer, Laura McFarlane-Tranquilla, William A. Montevecchi, Blake Bartzen, Lynne Dickson, Christine Anderson, Steven H. Ferguson
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Michael D. Rennie, Patrick J. Kennedy, Kenneth H. Mills, Chandra M. C. Rodgers, Colin Charles, Lee E. Hrenchuk, Sandra Chalanchuk, Paul J. Blanchfield, Michael J. Paterson, Cheryl L. Podemski
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Liset Cruz-Font, Brian J. Shuter, Paul J. Blanchfield, C. Ken Minns, Michael D. Rennie
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Fisheries
Breanna M. Watson, Carlo A. Biagi, Sara L. Northrup, Michael L. A. Ohata, Colin Charles, Paul J. Blanchfield, Sam V. Johnston, Paul J. Askey, Brett T. van Poorten, Robert H. Devlin
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Bailey C. McMeans, Kevin S. McCann, Matthew M. Guzzo, Timothy J. Bartley, Carling Bieg, Paul J. Blanchfield, Timothy Fernandes, Henrique C. Giacomini, Trevor Middel, Michael D. Rennie, Mark S. Ridgway, Brian J. Shuter
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanne E. Littlefair, Lee E. Hrenchuk, Paul J. Blanchfield, Michael D. Rennie, Melania E. Cristescu
Summary: Significant progress has been made in surveying animal and plant communities using environmental DNA (eDNA), but there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the ecology of eDNA. This study tested how seasonal thermal stratification and animal habitat preferences influence the distribution of eDNA in lakes, finding that eDNA distribution is related to the thermal niches of species and seasonal thermal structure. This research contributes to our overall understanding of eDNA ecology in lake ecosystems.
Article
Biology
David J. Yurkowski, Thomas A. Brown, Paul J. Blanchfield, Steven H. Ferguson
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Paige E. L. Levangie, Paul J. Blanchfield, Jeffrey A. Hutchings
Summary: This study suggests that climate change-induced temperature increases may lead to reduced body size in many marine fish species, exacerbating their natural mortality rates. Smaller fish species experience greater increases in natural mortality, while commercially exploited species such as Atlantic mackerel, Silver hake, Atlantic herring, Atlantic cod, and Pollock are predicted to have a slight increase in natural mortality rates.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paul J. Blanchfield, John W. M. Rudd, Lee E. Hrenchuk, Marc Amyot, Christopher L. Babiarz, Ken G. Beaty, R. A. Drew Bodaly, Brian A. Branfireun, Cynthia C. Gilmour, Jennifer A. Graydon, Britt D. Hall, Reed C. Harris, Andrew Heyes, Holger Hintelmann, James P. Hurley, Carol A. Kelly, David P. Krabbenhoft, Steve E. Lindberg, Robert P. Mason, Michael J. Paterson, Cheryl L. Podemski, Ken A. Sandilands, George R. Southworth, Vincent L. St Louis, Lori S. Tate, Michael T. Tate
Summary: The 15-year experiment conducted to reduce fish MeHg concentrations by decreasing Hg additions to a boreal lake and its watershed demonstrated that any reduction in Hg loadings to lakes, whether from direct deposition or runoff, will have immediate benefits to fish consumers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jake M. Martin, Michael G. Bertram, Paul J. Blanchfield, Jack A. Brand, Tomas Brodin, Bryan W. Brooks, Daniel Cerveny, Malgorzata Lagisz, Isaac Y. Ligocki, Marcus Michelangeli, Shinichi Nakagawa, Jack T. Orford, Josefin Sundin, Hung Tan, Bob B. M. Wong, Erin S. McCallum
Summary: There is a global concern about the impact of pharmaceuticals on aquatic animals, and pharmaceuticals are recognized as emerging contaminants in the environment. This paper presents a protocol for a systematic evidence map to summarize the effects of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals on aquatic animal behavior.
ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Paul J. Blanchfield, Mark S. Ridgway
Summary: This study investigates the post-spawning behavior of male brook charr and finds that dominant males exhibit a novel behavior of inspecting the nest after curtailment of spawning and continue to aggressively defend the female. The duration of mate guarding decreases with an increase in peripheral males rushing into the nest, indicating a strategic aspect of male guarding behavior.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tazi H. Rodrigues, Andrew J. Chapelsky, Lee E. Hrenchuk, Graham R. Mushet, Lauren J. Chapman, Paul J. Blanchfield
Summary: Climate-driven declines in oxythermal habitat can have prolonged constraints on cold-water fishes. This study used acoustic-positioning telemetry to assess the habitat occupancy and activity patterns of lake whitefish in a lake with severe oxythermal constraints. The findings suggest that lake whitefish can tolerate hypoxic conditions and adapt their behavior to unfavorable conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Graham R. Mushet, Caleb Yee, Scott Bergson, Paul J. Blanchfield
Summary: The littoral zone of lakes is made up of various habitat types that support fish communities and contribute to biodiversity and food web stability. However, the relationship between habitat and littoral fish abundance, species composition, and movement among habitats is not well understood. Through a mark-recapture study in two small boreal lakes in Canada, we found that fish abundance was lowest in habitats with low structural complexity but higher in areas with coarse woody material. Species composition did not differ significantly among habitat types, but smaller individuals preferred habitats with high structural complexity. The data also showed that these small fish species can move appreciable distances within the nearshore zone.