Variation in length and body depth of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum salmon (O. keta) in southern British Columbia
Beacham, TD.; Murray, CB.
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 422: 312-319
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0706-652X DOI: 10.1139/f85-040
Accession: 022076773
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The magnitude of within-stock variability of postorbital-hypural length and body depth was investigated for spawning pink salmon (O. gobuscha) and chum salmon (O. keta) stocks. Variability of postorbital-hypural length and body depth of male pink salmon, all mutating at 2 yr of age, was greater than that for male chum salmon, maturing at ages of 3-5 yr. Female pink salmon were less variable for the 2 characters than all ages of female chum salmon, equally variable when only age 3 or age 4 female chum salmon were considered, and more variable in comparison with age 5 female chum salmon. Males were more available for each character than females for both species. Small males of both species tend to resemble females when body depths are compared. Small males may mimic females to reduce aggression from larger males and gain access to spawning females.