Relationship between metabolism, sex and reproductive tactics in young Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.)

Abstract

Atlantic salmon can differ markedly in their growth and in the timing of reproductive maturation, leading to the dramatic contrast between the large anadromous adults and the diminutive mature male parr. This study examined the growth rates, anatomical and physiological characteristics of parr during the adoption of their discrete life histories to ascertain whether these properties can explain tactic choice. To minimise the impact of habitat differences upon these attributes, salmon were reared in the laboratory until 1.5 years of age, when the “decisions” to undergo smoltification or to mature as parr had been taken. At 1.5 years, both males and females showed bimodal size-frequency distributions. Neither the population of origin nor the paternal reproductive tactic influenced the “decision” to mature or the growth trajectories. Growth rate (% mass day − 1 during their final 10 months) and the % male and female offspring in the upper modal group were strongly correlated and varied markedly among families. Mean growth rate per family was negatively correlated with mean metabolic rate per family at emergence. Growth rate decreased as a function of parr size in January and the growth rates of upper modal fish were displaced upwards relative to those of lower modal fish. Most males in the smaller size mode matured, whereas all other fish began smoltification. Mature male parr did not differ from similarly sized female pre-smolt in routine metabolic rate, but these smaller fish had higher metabolic rates than larger male and female pre-smolts. However, mature parr differed markedly from similarly sized females and from larger male and female pre-smolts in possessing higher oxidative and lower glycolytic capacities in muscle. Overall, these data are consistent with the interpretation that growth rates dictate the distribution of parr between upper and lower modal groups. Individuals from faster growing families would be more likely to pass the threshold for smoltification and to accelerate growth, whereas those from slower growing families would remain in the lower mode. The use of metabolic capacities, e.g. metabolic rate, was linked with modal group, whereas muscle oxidative capacity was linked with male maturity. Mean family metabolic rate at emergence was negatively linked with mean growth during the subsequent year, suggesting that metabolic efficiency facilitates growth and eventually smoltification.