Eutrophication as a driver of r-selection traits in a freshwater fish

Abstract

This study tested whether eutrophication could influence life-history traits of a cyprinid, Chanodichthys erythropterus, in 10 Chinese lakes. Using the von Bertalanffy growth model, the asymptotic length (L-infinity) and the growth performance index (I-GRO) were significantly affected by eutrophication. The gonado-somatic index (I-G) and relative fecundity (F-R) were significantly lower in mesotrophic lakes than in eutrophic and hypertrophic lakes. These results indicate that increasing eutrophication affects the life-history tactics of a freshwater fish. (C) 2014 The Fisheries Society of the British Isle