Ontogenetic Changes in the Distribution of Larval and Juvenile Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens): A Response to Prey or Predators?

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Abstract
Distribution of larval and juvenile yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake St. George, Ontario, changed during development as follows: (1) early in development, the larvae were distributed exclusively offshore, both day and night; (2) larger larvae and juveniles migrated nearshore to offshore at dusk, returning the the nearshore zone at dawn; (3) the extent of this migration weakened as the fish grew, and they spent a greater porportion of their time nearshore and did not migrate as far at night; and (4) by the time juveniles reached approximately 30 mm total length, they were distributed exclusively in the nearshore habitat both day and night. Analysis of published reports on distribution patterns of larval and juvenile yellow perch and the European perch (Perca fluviatilis) suggests that the ontogenetic distribution patterns observed in Lake St. George are typical for the two Perca species. This regularity amongst lakes in ontogenetic distribution pattern occurred despite variation in the selective forces of prey and predator abundance in nearshore and offshore habitats. We conclude that the changes in distribution throughout early development are not in response to the proximate selective forces of prey abundance or predation risk