Sex-specific growth in invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) from two regions in northern Norway
The recent invasion of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) along the Norwegian coast has raised significant ecological concerns. Investigating regional differences in marine growth is an important step in evaluating the establishment of pink salmon in new environments. Pink salmon were captured in two northern Norwegian fjords during their return migration to in the summer of 2023; Varangerfjord…
Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) have recently invaded the Norwegian coast, sparking ecological concerns. To assess the establishment of pink salmon in new environments, researchers studied regional differences in marine growth by examining two northern Norwegian fjords during their return migration in 2023: Varangerfjord in Finnmark and Oksfjord in Troms. Using body size estimates and scale readings, scientists identified sex-specific and location-based effects on pink salmon growth.
In general, males were found to be heavier and have higher body condition than females, with Varanger males exhibiting the highest body size estimates. Researchers divided growth periods into four stages: spring/summer of year one, summer/fall of year one, fall/winter of year one, and spring of year two. Growth rates were highest in the spring of both years, while growth significantly decreased during the fall/winter periods.
Notably, Varanger males exhibited the highest growth (17-21% total cumulative circuli distance) across all periods, indicating more favorable survivorship and marine growth conditions.
These findings underscore the importance of considering sex and location when evaluating pink salmon's potential for expansion in Norway.
Written by urgent.news from bioRxiv's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
