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Influence of lake pH on the distribution, abundance and health of crayfish in Canadian Shield lakes

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Abstract

Thirty-six softwater lakes in central Ontario were sampled during 1988 to determine the relationship between lake pH and ecology of resident crayfish populations. The distribution and relative abundance of crayfish was found to depend upon lake pH. Sublethal acidification stress was also reflected by a decrease in carapace rigidity of Orconectes spp. No evidence of microsporidosis was detected. These results support previous population-specific research in demonstrating the marked sensitivity of crayfish to lake acidification below pH 6.0.

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  1. Dept. of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Ave. Dr Penfield, H3A 1B1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    Robert L. France

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  1. Robert L. France
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France, R.L. Influence of lake pH on the distribution, abundance and health of crayfish in Canadian Shield lakes. Hydrobiologia 271, 65–70 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007542

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00007542

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