M. A. Gruzdeva

Variations of life history strategy of the arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum from the Utkholok River (Western Kamchatka)

Morphobiological traits of the lamprey from the Utkholok River (Western Kamchatka) are investigated for the first time. All present forms of lamprey (typically anadromous, anadromous early maturing forma praecox, resident) do not differ by diagnostic characters and belong to one species Lethenteron camtschaticum. Males prevail among mature specimens of various forms, smolts, and ammocoetes at later developmental stages. The forma praecox is represented by males by 92%. A hypothesis is suggested explaining the relationships of the forms and the mechanism of realization of different types of life history strategy in relation to energy resources of water bodies and the kind of feeding of different groups of ammocoetes (organic detritus or Pacific salmon carcasses decomposed after spawning).

Diversity of life strategies and population structure of Kamchatka mykiss Parasalmo mykiss in the ecosystems of small salmon rivers of various types

The diversity of life strategies and population structure of Kamchatka mykiss Parasalmo mykiss in the ecosystems of small salmon rivers of various types are considered. Hydrogeomorphological differences of the model rivers Kol and Kekhta are found. The preferred habitats are investigated, and their area is determined. It is shown that, in the Kol River, the mykiss having a resident life strategy predominated, and in the Kekhta River—the mykiss with migratory strategy. The key parameter controlling the prevalence of life strategies in each river is the ratio of the area of spawning grounds to the area of feeding grounds and their productivity. The hypothesis is confirmed that, in complex river systems, due to the diversity of biotopes and a higher productivity, the food resources are sufficient for maturation of mykiss and for realization of the resident life strategy (without migration to the sea for feeding). In small rivers of the channel type with their insufficient food resources, the specimens having a migratory life strategy prevail.

Phenetic diversity and spatial structure of chars (Salvelinus) of the Kronotskaya riverine-lacustrine system (Eastern Kamchatka)

Chars of the genus Salvelinus inhabiting the Kronotskaya riverine-lacustrine system (Eastern Kamchatka) were studied. It was found that the morphological and genetic polymorphism in chars of Lake Kronotskoe is higher than was believed earlier: to date, five forms of chars have been identified in the Lake Kronotskoe basin. The description, external morphology and biological attributes of chars inhabiting the basin of the lake and the anadromous malma (S. malma) from the Kronotskaya River below the rapids are given. The differences between the forms of chars are continual, and the outermost forms are often connected by a continuous series of transitional forms. According to the morphological and genetic characteristics, the anadromous malma from the lower reaches of the Kronotskaya River is not isolated from the lake chars: by the whole set of characters its position is intermediate between all lacustrine forms. Chars from the Kronotskaya riverine-lacustrine system are represented by the anadromous malma from the lower reaches of the Kronotskaya River and by a metapopulation of lacustrinechars whose forms are not completely isolated genetically. Currently, the chars of the Kronotskaya system are in a quasi-stationary state, when an evolutionary stasis of the lacustrine forms is ensured.

Population structure of arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum from the Kol River (Western Kamchatka)

Phenetic diversity is investigated and the taxonomic status of lampreys (Petromyzontidae) from the Kol basin (Western Kamchatka) is verified. Typically anadromous lamprey, anadromous lamprey forma praecox, resident lamprey, smolts, and larvae of lamprey are discovered and described. Their comparative analysis is made by standard morphometric characters. Differences between the forms by plastic characters depend on size and weight. No significant differences are found by major taxonomic characters between the forms of anadromous and resident lampreys which would indicate their taxonomic separation. Phenetic types of spawners are representatives of the population of one complexly structured species represented by life forms realizing different life history strategies (anadromous and resident), and belong to the species Arctic lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum (Tilesius, 1811).

On Joint Spawning of Anadromous and Resident Mykiss Parasalmo mykiss in Rivers of Western Kamchatka

The fact of joint spawning of anadromous and resident mykiss Parasalmo mykiss is reliably recorded in the basin of the Kol River (Western Kamchatka). The obtained data on relationships of these forms during spawning indicate to their conspecificity. This species should be protected as a whole, in all diversity of its forms.

Seasonal Races of Chum Salmon Oncorhynchus keta and Their Interrelations in Kamchatka Rivers

Dates of migration and spawning, size-age structure, and fecundity of seasonal races of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta from the Kol River are reviewed, those of early summer, late summer, and autumn races, as well as localization and structure of their spawning grounds, bed-sediment particle size in the redds, hydrological and thermal conditions on spawning grounds, and meristic characters of races. Special traits of reproduction of seasonal races within the species range and in Kamchatka in particular are discussed. The number of seasonal races in rivers depends on the presence of various habitats suitable for spawning. In rivers with complicated hydrogeomorphological structure, the number of seasonal races increases. Variations of types of seasonal races in a particular river and in the whole species area are epigenetic, i.e., they depend on the hereditary genetic program and presence of conditions providing its realization via various channels.

Sexual Dimorphism and Some Special Traits of Spawning Behavior of the Arctic Lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum

The sexual dimorphism and the role of secondary sexual characters in the spawning period of the Arctic Lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum from the Utkholok basin (Kamchatka) are studied for the first time. The importance of the urogenital papilla in males and of the keel in females during egg fertilization and in construction of the redd is shown. By visual observations, underwater and above water videography, two forms of spawning behavior are revealed: group behavior in the current and paired behavior in the inshore part of the river, where the current is slower. The typically anadromous form, the anadromous forma praecox, and river lamprey reproduce together. The strategy of the spawning behavior is directed first of all towards better fertilization of eggs and finally towards reproductive success of the species.

Ecological analogies in the Pacific lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum and the mykiss Parasalmo mykiss in Kamchatka

Ecological analogies between the Pacific lamprey Lethenteron camtschaticum and various species of salmonids (Salmonidae) are noted. Close analogies are found with the mykiss Parasalmo mykiss. The lamprey and mykiss are characterized by spawning in spring. In their populations there are specimens with anadromous and riverine life strategies. The mechanism of formation of life strategies seems to be similar in both species. The major role belongs to the trophic factor determining the level of energy resources necessary for maturation. Such analogies result from epigenetic changes in principal ecological parameters and are formed under the influence of similar environmental factors.

Population structure of the masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou from the Kol River (Western Kamchatka) and geographic variation in the species area

According to materials from original investigations in Kamchatka as well as published data, the population structure and geographical variation of the masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou are considered in the species area. The intraspecies structure, dates of their run to rivers, dates of spawning, traits of spawning, size-age and sex composition, fecundity, biological traits of parr, downstream migration of smolts are investigated. The relationship is shown between the manifestations of geographical variation of masu salmon and the factor of temperature. It is assumed that the global warming of climate would contribute to the advancement of this species to northern areas and to the increase in its abundance.

Life history strategy diversity in the Kamchatkan Dolly Varden char Salvelinus malma (Walbaum) (Salmonidae, Salmoniformes): ontogenetic reconstructions based on the data of X-ray fluorescence analysis of the microchemistry of recording structures.

The issues related to specific traits of the life cycle and formation of the life history strategy diversity in fishes are urgent at present for optimization of the use of biological resources. Recently, the problems in the field of retrospective deciphering of the life cycle are being solved by methods of microchemical analysis of otoliths. These techniques determine the presence of marine, estuarine, or freshwater periods in the ontoge� nesis with sufficient accuracy [1–4]. These methods are based on direct dependence of accumulation of ions of elements in fish otoliths corresponding their content in the environment, e.g. the content of stron� tium in seawater is much higher than in fresh water. The efficiency of methods of “otolith microchemitry” was repeatedly confirmed in various teleostean groups [2–9]. At the same time, most methods of otolith analysis deciphering the life history strategy in fish