A Guide to the Study of Fishes, Volume 2 (of 2)Jordan, David Starr
History
A Guide to the Study of Fishes, Volume 2 (of 2)
Jordan, David Starr
Fishes; Fishes -- Bibliography; Zoology -- History
Those species or individuals dwelling in lakes of considerable size,
where the water is of such temperature and depth as insures an ample
food-supply, will reach a large size, while those in a restricted
environment, where both the water and food are limited, will be small
directly in proportion to these environing restrictions. The trout of
the Klamath Lakes, for example, reach a weight of at least 17 pounds,
while in Fish Lake in Idaho mature trout do not exceed 8 to 9¼ inches in
total length or one-fourth pound in weight. In small creeks in the
Sawtooth Mountains and elsewhere they reach maturity at a length of 5 or
6 inches, and are often spoken of as brook-trout and with the impression
that they are a species different from the larger ones found in the
lakes and larger streams. But as all sorts and gradations between these
extreme forms may be found in the intervening and connecting waters, the
differences are not even of sub-specific significance.
[Illustration:
FIG. 64.—Head of adult Trout-worm, _Dibothrium cordiceps_ Leidy, a
parasite of _Salmo clarkii_. From intestine of white pelican,
Yellowstone Lake. (After Linton.)
]
[Illustration:
FIG. 65.—Median segments of _Dibothrium cordiceps_.
]
Dr. Evermann observes: "The various forms of cutthroat-trout vary
greatly in game qualities; even the same subspecies in different waters,
in different parts of its habitat, or at different seasons, will vary
greatly in this regard. In general, however, it is perhaps a fair
statement to say that the cutthroat-trout are regarded by anglers as
being inferior in gaminess to the Eastern brook-trout. But while this is
true, it must not by any means be inferred that it is without game
qualities, for it is really a fish which possesses those qualities in a
very high degree. Its vigor and voraciousness are determined largely, of
course, by the character of the stream or lake in which it lives. The
individuals which dwell in cold streams about cascades and seething
rapids will show marvelous strength and will make a fight which is
rarely equaled by its Eastern cousin; while in warmer and larger streams
and lakes they may be very sluggish and show but little fight. Yet this
is by no means always true. In the Klamath Lakes, where the trout grow
very large and where they are often very logy, one is occasionally
hooked which tries to the utmost the skill of the angler to prevent his
tackle from being smashed and at the same time save the fish."
Of the various forms derived from _Salmo clarkii_ some mere varieties,
some distinct species, the following are among the most marked:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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