Implication of Geographic Location on Temperature Preference of White Perch, Morone americana

Abstract

Temperature preference tests were conducted on freshwater white perch (Morone americana) collected from Albemarle Sound, N.C.; Wicomico River, Md.; and Mullica River, N.J. Collection temperatures for each population were 25 °C (±2 °C) and acclimation temperatures used in temperature preference tests were 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 33 °C. Analysis of covariance determined that a significant difference exists in the temperature preference of the white perch populations tested. The calculated final temperature preference using linear regression for North Carolina, Maryland, and New Jersey populations was 32.4, 28.9, and 29.6 °C, respectively. Calculated final temperature preferenda using the quadratic equation for North Carolina, Maryland, and New Jersey populations were 31.6, 29.3, and 29.2 °C, respectively. Visual estimation yielded final temperature preference values of 32.5, 30.6, and 29.6 °C for North Carolina, Maryland, and New Jersey populations, respectively. Key words: White perch, Morone americana, temperature preference, final preferenda, population responses, linear regression, quadratic equation, visual estimation