Morphological variation in Yellow Perch in Lake Michigan and Drowned River Mouth Lakes

Session: Poster session

Taylor Senegal, Purdue University, [email protected]
Carl Ruetz, Grand Valley State University, [email protected]
Tomas Hook, Purdue University, Dept. Forestry and Natural Resources, [email protected]
David Janetski, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, [email protected]
Gregory Chorak, Montana State University, [email protected]

Abstract

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens are an economically and ecologically prominent fish species in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Elucidation of their stock structure has important management implications regarding sustainable management of perch fisheries and conservation of genetic and phenotypic diversity. In eastern Lake Michigan, Yellow Perch is found in both the nearshore region of Lake Michigan proper and in various drowned river mouth (DRM) lakes. Recent genetic analyses suggest interesting and complex stock structure among these habitats. However, it is unclear how such genetic structure is reflected in phenotypic variation, such as morphology. Yellow Perch were collected in summer and fall of 2015 and 2016, and spring of 2016, from nine DRM lakes and two nearshore sites in Lake Michigan. We placed 18 digital landmarks on images to analyze yellow perch through traditional and geometric morphometrics. Researchers have documented deeper, more robust bodies of littoral fish and shallower, more streamlined bodies of fish residing in pelagic habitats. Results from principal component analysis explain morphological variation between habitats, but are inconsistent with previous patterns. Discriminant function analysis showed correctly classified more than 83% of images to their respective groups.

1. Keyword
yellow perch

2. Keyword
Lake Michigan

3. Keyword
tributaries

4. Additional Keyword
morphometrics

5. Additional Keyword
stock structure