Growth, Life History, and Respiration of Mysis relicta in an Arctic and Temperate Lake

Abstract

Mysis relicta from Char Lake (N.W.T.) take 2 years to reach maturity, retaining 36 cal as net production; those from Stony Lake (southern Ontario) mature in 1 year, retaining 53 cal as net production. Growth rates were highest during summer months for individuals in both lakes. Results of respiration experiments at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 C for Char Lake mysids and at 2, 4, 7, 10, and 13 C for Stony Lake mysids were not significantly different, indicating that Mysis relicta demonstrates no metabolic compensation over its environmental temperature range. Generalized energy budgets were constructed for individuals from each population for their entire life-span. A female uses approximately 209 cal for growth and respiration to become a reproducing adult in one year in Stony Lake and approximately 206 cal to become a reproducing adult in 2 years in Char Lake.