Spawning Habitat and Nest Depth of Female Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma of Different Body Size

Abstract

Spawning habitat and nest depth in relation to female body size were studied in a small population of Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma. Females selected areas where gravel was prevalent and currents were slow for spawning. Neither substrate score, water depth, nor current velocity was significantly correlated with the female body size. Nest depth, however, was strongly correlated with female size. These results suggest that nests made by smaller females are more vulnerable to destruction both from flooding and from nest site reuse by later-spawning females. © 1995, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.