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Temperature, salinity and prey availability shape the marine migration of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, in a macrotidal estuary

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Abstract

The influence of salinity, temperature and prey availability on the marine migration of anadromous fishes was determined by describing the movements, habitat use and feeding behaviours of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). The objectives were to determine whether char are restricted to the upper water column of the inter-/subtidal zones due to warmer temperatures. Twenty-seven char were tracked with acoustic temperature/pressure (depth) transmitters from June to September, 2008/2009, in inner Frobisher Bay, Canada. Most detections were in surface waters (0–3 m). Inter-/subtidal movements and consecutive repetitive dives (maximum 52.8 m) resulted in extreme body temperature shifts (−0.2–18.1 °C). Approximately half of intertidal and subtidal detections were between 9–13 °C and 1–3 °C, respectively. Stomach contents and deep diving suggested feeding in both inter-/subtidal zones. We suggest that char tolerate cold water at depth to capture prey in the subtidal zone, then seek warmer water to enhance feeding/digestion physiology.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to the Nunavut Research Institute (Thomas M and staff), Nunavut Arctic College Environmental Training Program (Carpenter J), Allen Island Outfitting, Inukshuk Outfitters, Attagoyuk J, Pishuktie L, Amarok Hunters and Trappers Association and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Iqaluit. Acknowledgement is given to Webber D (Vemco/Amirix) for help designing the 2008 receiver array. We acknowledge the following field assistants: Dyck M, K and L; Beaud M, Atkinson P, Flaherty A, Hardie D, Power J, Halfyard E, Hollis I, Cunningham L, Corneau E, Luszczek C and Biastoch R. ADS thanks Gray C in Ottawa, Vemco/Amirix (King D and staff), Stokesbury Lab (Acadia U) and the Ocean Tracking Network (Dal U). Special thanks to Dadswell M for help identifying crustaceans and reviewing manuscript drafts. This research was largely funded with a National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Northern Research Chair grant (TAD, U Man). Additional funds were secured by ADS from ArcticNet Training Fund, Canadian National Sportsmens Shows, Canadian Wildlife Federation Orville Erickson Memorial Scholarships, Northern Scientific Training Program, NSERC Northern Research Internship/Post-Graduate Scholarship and a Vemco/Amirix VR100 student discount (ADS & TAD).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Ocean Tracking Network, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 4J1, Canada

    Aaron D. Spares & Ron K. O’Dor

  2. Department of Biology, Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada

    Michael J. W. Stokesbury

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Terry A. Dick

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  1. Aaron D. Spares
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Correspondence to Aaron D. Spares.

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Communicated by J. D. R. Houghton.

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Spares, A.D., Stokesbury, M.J.W., O’Dor, R.K. et al. Temperature, salinity and prey availability shape the marine migration of Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, in a macrotidal estuary. Mar Biol 159, 1633–1646 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1949-y

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