A Comparative Ecological Study of the California Crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana),from Two Subalpine Lakes.

摘要

Crayfish growth and population density were determined and compared for Pacifastacus leniusculus populations in two closely situated but limnologically distinct Sierra-Nevada lakes,Lake Tahoe (California-Nevada) and Donner Lake (California). Physical,chemical,and biological parameters for the lakes were also compared to determine whether differences observed in the crayfish populations could be related to broad limnological characteristics of the lakes. The crayfish population in mesotrophic Donner Lake was considerably less dense than in ultraoligotrophic Lake Tahoe. The implication of this finding for crayfish production management is discussed. A brief discussion of possible genetic differences between the two crayfish populations,based on gel electrophoresis,is also presented. (Portions of this document are not fully legible)