Distribution and habitats of the Densely-Rakered Whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), in waterbodies of Karelia

Abstract

Data are presented about the current distribution and life modes of densely-rakered whitefish (with 42–65 gill rakers) in waterbodies of Karelia belonging to the drainage basins of the White Sea and the Baltic Seas and featuring different limnological characteristics and level of knowledge. At present densely-rakered whitefish inhabit 32 waterbodies in the republic. Differences in the timing of maturation, fecundity and growth rate were found. It is shown that the state of the whitefish population and the fish fauna in general depends on the scope and intensity of economic activities affecting the reservoirs, and on their size. The length-weight growth rates were higher in whitefish from remote, hard to reach waterbodies with limited human impact.

Keywords

• republic of karelia
• aquatic ecosystems
• densely-rakered whitefish
• ecological forms
• population