Growth variability of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) in coastal maine

Abstract

AbstractBrook charr inhabit a wide variety of habitats and exhibit considerable growth variation within and among populations. We used biannual mark–recapture electrofishing surveys and PIT tags at two streams in coastal Maine to examine spatial and temporal variability in brook charr growth. We documented considerable stream‐to‐stream and year‐to‐year variation in the growth of coastal brook charr. Based on 2892 recaptures between 2006 and 2010, we developed a suite of linear mixed models to examine variation in individual growth rates at Stanley Brook as a function of environmental variables. We distilled physical habitat data from surveys in 2010 into principle components for entry into the growth model. Growth was related primarily to an interaction between season and body length, mean water temperature, and instream location. Growth rates were highest in the summer, and smaller individuals grew more rapidly than larger conspecifics in the same stream. Individuals using habitats closer to the head of tide grew faster than those in upstream locations. Physical habitat variation was not an important control of individual growth variation within Stanley Brook. We suggest local variability in growth rates should be considered when developing management strategies for coastal populations.