DISPERSAL MECHANISMS OF EMBRYONIC AND LARVAL BURBOT (LOTA LOTA)

<p>Many teleost fish produce planktonic larvae that primarily rely on hydrodynamic forces for dispersal. However, allometric growth patterns and larval behavior also plays a significant role in dispersal. The developmental timeline of dispersal mechanisms in burbot (<em>Lota lota</em>) larvae is crucial to understanding where they may settle in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Wild <em>L. lota</em> gametes were collected from Lake Superior tributaries and fertilized. <em>L. lota </em>were reared in a laboratory setting and monitored for embryonic buoyancy changes and larval phototaxis, startle response, temperature selection, rheotaxis, and lateral line development. Embryos showed a significant increase in buoyancy as they approach hatching but are negatively buoyant. Larvae showed a 25% increase in startle responses from 30 to 75 days post fertilization (dpf). Maximum velocity (cm/s) and proportion of startle responses increased significantly after swim bladder inflation. From 30 - 75 dpf, larvae displayed no phototactic light preference. Younger larvae chose warmer temperature zones initially, preferring colder temperatures as they aged. Larvae performed positive rheotaxis after swim bladder inflation. The inflation of the swim bladder may be critical for performing active dispersal mechanisms. <em>L. lota</em> larvae show a significant increase in neuromasts between 35 and 45 dpf, in both the anterior lateral line and posterior lateral line. Age significantly predicted neuromast abundance. These results help elucidate the developmental timeline of <em>L</em>. <em>lota</em> active dispersal behaviors and generally fit the model of related teleosts.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2025

Author dc:creator

• Pupo, Alexis K.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jill Leonard

• larval fish dispersal
• Lota lota
• burbot
• Lake Superior
• freshwater ecology
• embryonic buoyancy
• larval fish behavior
• larval fish development
• Great Lakes fish biology
• burbot larval dispersal
• Behavior and Ethology
• Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/881

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.nmu.edu:theses-1929