The Effects of Turbidity On the Growth of Young-of-Year Spotted Gar

Lepisosteids are top level predators whose populations are in decline across much of North America.  In Canada, the Spotted Gar (L.oculatus) has been listed as a threatened species.  Increasing turbidity in Lake Erie has been suggested as a reason for decline of Spotted Gar in Canada, due to decreased growth rates in more turbid waters, particularly in the first year of life.  To examine effects of turbidity on growth rates in the first year of life, I plan to assess the growth rate of young-of-year Spotted Gar over several months under several treatment levels of turbidity.  I aim to assess if turbidity does impact the rate of growth in these fish, and at what level an effect begins to manifest.  The intent of this presentation will be to provide the preliminary results of the ongoing project, providing insight into the effect on growth at very early life history stages, and to outline the future direction of the project.