Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
The seasonal changes in energy content of the gastrointestinal tract, gonad, liver, and muscle of 120 mature northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus) from Minto Flats, Alaska were estimated (bomb calorimetry) during winter, early spring (prespawning), late spring (postspawning), and fall 1988. Increases in the specific energy contnet of testes was completed by September, and did not change from September to March. Ovarian specific energy content remained unchanged between the postspawning (21.78 kJ/g) and fall (21.89 kJ/g) periods, then accumulated during the winter (24.80 kJ/g). Gastrointestinal tract specific energy content decreased in fish of both sexes during spawning, and increased during winter. Liver specific energy content occurred in females during summer, and in males during winter. Winter is a critical period for males and females; gonadal energy requirements in females must be met to assure reproductive success the following spring, and, important energy reserves necessary for survival are accumulated in males.
Publication Date
12-17-1989
Recommended Citation
Murphy, Robert Leo, "Seasonal allocation of energy in four tissues of northern pike from Minto Flats, Alaska" (1989). Fisheries . 391.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_fisheries_facpubs/391
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/14802