Synchrony in Larval Yellow Perch Production: The Influence of the Moran Effect during Early Life History

            Recruitment may vary substantially in fish populations, which can drive not only adult population characteristics but also the dynamics of predatory fishes dependent on the species of interest and recreational fisheries for these species.  However, spatiotemporal trends in population fluctuations and potential drivers of recruitment variability are poorly understood.  Therefore, we used a long-term (1995-2013) data set to estimate the extent of spatial synchrony in larval production and factors influencing variability in recruitment of yellow perch Perca flavescens, focusing on two distinct ontogenetic stages during perch early life history: 1) the period encompassing egg deposition and embryonic development; and 2) the period immediately following post-egg skein emergence encompassing larval swim-up and the switch from endogenous to exogenous feeding.  Production of larval yellow perch was moderately synchronous among spatially segregated systems (median ρ = 0.51) and variation in larval density was influenced by the Moran Effect during the post- egg mass emergence period.  Specifically, increased production of larval yellow perch corresponded with increased water levels, warmer air temperatures, and low wind speed.  Results ultimately provide further insight to the timing of critical stages and patterns and processes that structure yellow perch populations.