Abundance and Life History of Mysis relicta in the St. Lawrence Great Lakes

Abstract

In sampling on lakes Ontario, Erie, and Superior during three cruises from spring to fall, and on Lake Huron during eight cruises, Mysis relicta was generally not taken or not abundant in waters less than 25 m in depth. Its abundance appeared to increase with depth at least up to 200 m. Populations appeared to be concentrated in waters 125–200 m deep during summer and more dispersed during spring and fall. Highest numbers were found in Lake Superior, followed by lakes Ontario and Huron. A small localized population was found in the deep eastern part of Lake Erie.Size-frequency distributions from the various cruises on lakes Superior, Huron, and Ontario indicated differences in life cycles of the mysid in the three lakes. In Lake Superior there was one major period of recruitment, from February to July, and the generation time appeared to be 2 yr. In lakes Huron and Ontario recruitment appeared to occur from February to August and to be separated into a winter and a summer period; each of the generations appeared to mature in 18 mo.