Winter condition and proximate composition of anadromous arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus) in eastern Ungava Bay, Quebec

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) were sampled during the winter of 1985–1986 in the Kangiqsualujjuaq area of northern Quebec to examine feeding patterns and temporal variation in condition. No feeding was observed at any time during the winter, and examination of gallbladder coloration indicated th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Authors: Boivin, Thomas G., Power, G.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1990
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z90-319
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z90-319
Description
Summary:Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) were sampled during the winter of 1985–1986 in the Kangiqsualujjuaq area of northern Quebec to examine feeding patterns and temporal variation in condition. No feeding was observed at any time during the winter, and examination of gallbladder coloration indicated that feeding had not occurred for a long period of time. Proximate composition analysis of nonreproductive charr from Koroc River indicated that liver and muscle lipid and liver protein reserves changed during the winter fast, and this was most pronounced in early winter. Spent charr sampled at Lake Tasikallak had lower liver lipid and condition factor values and were more depleted than nonreproductive charr. Despite a reduction in lipids and protein during winter, the general condition of nonreproductive charr renders them suitable for commercial sale at any time of the year.