LE3 .A278 2003

2003

Dadswell, Michael

Acadia University

Master of Science

Masters

Biology

Biology

The Atlantic whitefish is globally endangered, and found only in Petite Rivire, Nova Scotia, Canada. While several characteristics have been reported to accurately differentiate Atlantic whitefish and lake whitefish, discrimination of these species remains difficult. Morphometric (residual values) and merisitic characters from Atlantic whitefish and lake whitefish samples (archival and recently obtained specimens) were used in discriminant function analysis to test the robustness of the Atlantic whitefish typological description, to identify diagnostic external characters between these species, and to explore the phenetic variability of lake whitefish populations in the Maritime Provinces. The early life history of Atlantic whitefish has never been documented. Reared Atlantic whitefish from known parental stock were described and compared with the ontogenetic accounts of other coregonines. Criteria focused on the discrimination of Atlantic whitefish and lake whitefish early life history stages not been established. Reared Atlantic whitefish were compared with reared lake whitefish (both of known parental stock) from Ontario, and captured lake whitefish and cisco from Manitoba. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

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