The Use of Electromyogram Telemetry to Estimate Energy Expenditure of Adult Fall Chinook Salmon

Abstract
Excess energy expenditure during the upstream migration of adult fall chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha may reduce spawning success or lead to increased prespawning mortality. Recent advances in biotelemetry make it possible to assess the energetic costs of upstream migration. Our objectives were to evaluate the use of physiological telemetry to estimate the energy expended by adult fall chinook salmon at different swimming velocities and to compare these data to those associated with other species of salmonids. An electromyogram (EMG) telemetry system was used to obtain, transmit, and record an integrated EMG pulse signal that represented the time between muscle contractions. The EMG telemetry system provides a means to evaluate the effects of structural or operational changes in the hydropower system on energy expenditure and reproductive success of upstream migrant adult salmon. Seven adult salmon (71.5 to 106 cm fork length [FL]) were tagged and exercised in a respirometer at 15 and 20°...

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