Sexual Dimorphism in the Adipose Fin of Pacific Salmon ( Oncorhynchus )

Male adipose fins of Oncorhynchus species were 30–50% larger than those of same-sized females, the actual amount depending on the species. Accuracy of classification of the standards ranged from 87% in chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) to 98% in pink salmon (O. gorbuscha). Testing the method on new sa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Main Authors: Beacham, Terry D., Murray, Clyde B.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1983
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f83-231
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f83-231
Description
Summary:Male adipose fins of Oncorhynchus species were 30–50% larger than those of same-sized females, the actual amount depending on the species. Accuracy of classification of the standards ranged from 87% in chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) to 98% in pink salmon (O. gorbuscha). Testing the method on new samples usually resulted in an accuracy of at least 90% correct identification of sex for any species. Relative size of the adipose fin should allow for easy and accurate external identification of the sexes of silver-bright Oncorhynchus.